Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments
Reader wants to give telephone boxes an upgrade
Regarding the recent articles about the ‘phone-snatching’ epidemic, Eileen (MetroTalk, Thu) says the public can do their bit by finding a more secure place to make phone calls.
I think I may have a solution.
A government agency could install small ‘houses’ on pavements, shopping centres and street corners etc. They would be about 3ft square, 7ft tall, with glass sides and a secure door.
People could enter them to make phone calls with a full view of their surroundings but with their £1,000-plus phones protected from scooter or bike-riding thieves.
Perhaps they could be called… phone boxes! Steve Knight, Greenwich
Reader says Keir Starmer is ‘deluded’
I have finally come to the conclusion that our prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is deluded.
He says he is going to help our pubs by proposing they be allowed to open for longer. Does he not realise that, thanks to taxes imposed by his government – whether increased national insurance employer contributions or the increase to the minimum wage – that pubs are closing earlier. At least the ones that haven’t closed altogether.
Hospitality relies on having plenty of staff but they cannot pay the higher wages. Molly Neville, Sheffield
‘Mass immigration drags down wages in general’, says reader
Employers take advantage of immigrants to pay them less than they would pay British workers. Mass immigration drags down wages in general, particularly the wages of the less skilled.
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It’s basic economics – if you increase the supply of a good product, in this case, labour, its price falls.
The employing class knows this, which is why Boris Johnson, among others, accelerated the inflow of immigrants during his time in office.
So when Len Hay (MetroTalk, Thu) claims that curbs on migration have already damaged the economy, one wants to ask, what curbs? We have had net immigration of five million since 1997.
Jon (MetroTalk, Thu) then seems to suggest that mass immigration is no threat to workers’ rights, education and our NHS because ‘right-wing politicians’ are the biggest threat. Can’t he imagine more than one threat at a time?
Both of them use the usual Labour smear that those who disagree must be motivated by emotions – and by bad ones at that. Will Podmore, London
Reader calls attention to how ‘doctors, nurses, surgeons, emergency staff and Armed Forces’ are among those who are LGBTQ+
Your report on the so-called ‘immorality protest’ in London’s Old Compton Street by a bunch of uniformed homophobic bigots was really saddening (Metro, Thu).
Christian evangelical group King’s Army marched in formation through the LGBTQ+ area, wearing tracksuits chanting ‘Jesus saves’. Their sole aim was intimidation.
Do they not understand who some of their doctors, nurses, surgeons, emergency staff, Armed Forces, taxi drivers, farmers etc might be? God forbid members of their own families?
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and London mayor Sadiq Khan should loudly be calling this out for what it is and making sure it never happens again.
Nip this in the bud before it has a chance to gather any momentum.
Imagine this reversed and a central London Christian church was invaded by people of all sexualities, race and religions during prayer time, moving in formation and all in black uniforms? It would’ve made front page news. Mr R Smith, Islington
‘It is a fact that left-wing authorities have tolerated antisemitism’, says reader
Charlie Parrett (MetroTalk, Wed) argues that pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the anniversary of October 7 were disconnected from antisemitism.
We all saw on TV that the demonstrators were calling for the destruction of the state of Israel – what does he think ‘from the river to the sea’ or ‘globalise the intifada’ means?
Charlie calls Israel a ‘rogue state’ but it has been the homeland of Jews since 1948 when it successfully fought off the first of many Arab attempts to sweep away the Jews ‘from the river to the sea’.
It is therefore a state in permanent war readiness.
When the Times reporter Matthew Syed spoke to supporters of Palestine Action in Parliament Square he was met with a torrent of abuse for daring to ask whether Hamas was in any way responsible for what was happening in Gaza.
It is a fact that left-wing authorities have tolerated antisemitism.
Jews in Britain really do live in fear of the actions of militant Islamic followers.
In a democracy, you can be vocal in your condemnation of the actions of Israel at war but make sure you are equally angry and vocal about Palestinian and Arab brutality.
If you can’t do that, l suggest you take a good look at your denials of antisemitism. Chris Shepherd, London
More on Jenrick’s ‘white faces’ comments
I have to assume that Jon (MetroTalk, Fri) was being sarcastic in his response to Robert Jenrick’s complaint that the absence of any ‘white faces’ seen on his trip to Handsworth was evidence of failed cultural integration.
Jon says he came to the same conclusion in Surrey – where he didn’t see a face that was not white.
The very real problem pointed out by Jenrick was that there are many enclaves where white people no longer exist as they have been pushed out by other cultures who do not speak with, work with or trade with any white person or use any English. That is not integration. Paul, London
Reader points out that diverse Redhill is also part of Surrey
MetroTalk’s asinine letter of the day award for Friday must go to Jon. He refers to Surrey but clearly hasn’t been to Redhill. There are many Eastern Europeans here as well as other nationalities. Walking down to the town, I hear so may languages spoken.
As to not seeing poor faces, as Jon claims, there are many pockets of deprivation in Surrey.
I would suggest if Jon doesn’t like Surrey he doesn’t come here and stays in crime-ridden, grubby London. I know where I’d rather be. John Daniels, Redhill
Reader says ‘don’t confuse integration with assimilation’
Integration is a process, and it starts from day one for all newcomers. Moreover, for achieving a more positive and meaningful integration in the long run, the right support is needed – including access to English classes.
Integration is also a two-way street, otherwise we end up with parallel living, which is the case already in many parts of good old Britain. Oh and one more thing – don’t confuse integration with assimilation. Ayar, Mortlake
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