Letters to the Editor - October 05th

Oct 5 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

Appreciate our city’s heritage

IN RESPONSE to David Swift (October 2) and other readers, I would like to add my concern about the points raised regarding Liverpool’s Unesco World Heritage Site status and the lack of local appreciation for it.

There are only 660 man-made sites throughout the world on the WHS list, and Liverpool should be hugely proud of gaining this in 2004, winning this enviable prize because of its past stature as a maritime merchant city.

As previous correspondents have noted, it beggars belief that there are people of influence and wealth in this city who think that gaining this premium accolade is some sort of barrier to making yet more money for themselves.

That these ignoramuses even suggest we would be better off without leaves one speechless. Would India be happy to lose WHS designation from the Taj Mahal? Or Spain for it to be stripped from the Alhambra? Or the US for it to be taken from the Statue of Liberty? Or Italy for derating Rome? Or France losing it from Chartres Cathedral?

This is the high level of value we now find our city port ranked in – the very top of what the world has to offer. Yet are we pleased? Is there any of that famous Scouse self-regard about this? Barely a flicker, but plenty of moaning and an attitude – as seen at the Mann Island redevelopment – that, in fact, it’s in order to antagonise the WHS so its inspectors are called in.

People should realise that WHS status is far more important to Liverpool, including its financial success, than next year’s European Capital of Culture.

W Brennan, via e-mail

Theatre’s end

WITH great sadness and very little surprise, I read about what appears to be the terminal closure of the Neptune Theatre.

Back in 2002, it became clear that the council had plans to close the theatre for 2003, though they would not admit to it. I mounted a campaign to save the theatre then which resulted in a campaign supported by Alex Cox, Louise Ellman MP and Ricky Tomlinson – and a front-page article in the Daily Post. I still have the copies of hundreds of sheets covered with signatures of those protesting against this outrage.

Though the theatre stayed open, key staff left and the council put people in charge who had not the slightest idea how to run a theatre. The loss is not just one of a great, atmospheric performance space – but also the one place where many people can have their first experience to appear on stage. I can only hope that the voters will take note, remember the international embarrassment that the Mathew Street Festival 2007 was, and wave this administration goodbye.

Michael Pace-Sigge, L8

Neptune’s closure

RE: THE Neptune Theatre changing into a restaurant and bar. We have enough restaurants and bars in Liverpool. Make our streets safer with a greater police presence, and those of us who enjoy live theatre will return and the Neptune will thrive. How sad to close such a treasure in the year of culture 2008.

Fiona Henderson, L27

Tax cuts

WITH reference to the recent articles on the Tory Party conference at Blackpool and Shadow Chancellor George Osborne’s plan to reduce the number of homeowners being liable to pay inheritance tax.

A statement reported to be by Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, is somewhat disingenuous in saying “only a handful of people” would benefit. A very quick look on the internet for property sales within Merseyside shows over 600 for sale that fall within the present £300,000 inheritance tax trap. Not a lot, you might say, but surely only the tip of an iceberg.

That is only a small number of the houses and flats actually for sale within the tax trap zone. How many thousands more are there? In fact, many high-value owner-occupied houses are home to people of advancing years, who are not selling – or intending to move home. More to the point, there are many who haven’t the money or ability to stop the present government grabbing what isn’t theirs, on their eventual and inevitable death.

So I applaud any party which puts such a plan into the statute books, it should, however, go alongside the scrapping of the council tax, and replacing that with an increase on income tax, thereby making everyone working pay their fair share.

I Chadwick, L26

Party politics

READING Tory election proposals about tax-cutting and “benefit cutting” got me thinking a bit on politics and not just about their unsympathetic benefits plans. That plan to strip sick and disabled people of benefit if they refuse work is despicable.

I assume people are on the benefit for a reason, and if they are fit for work they should not be on benefits. That implies there is a flaw in the system and it should be addressed. To be honest, there probably are too many workshy people on benefit, but you can't force genuine claimants into work.

Although I am no expert on politics, as a Labour supporter growing up in the Thatcherite ’80s, I had hoped a Labour government would reverse some of the damage, yet a decade on nothing appears to stand out apart from maybe the minimum wage, but that is scant consolation when utility bills are sky high and job security is very precarious.

There have been many failures in this time, and the rise in yob culture and gangs stands out. What is needed is a zero-tolerance approach and even a curfew, severe punishment and national service, but what party will go that far?

I haven't had many dealings with politicians but when I have, mainly with councillors, they have been hopelessly inept, including our own Lib-Dem council. Still, you'd think, Labour is better than Tories, but when Gordon Brown invites Thatcher in to No.10, as he did recently, you know you've been had.

David McMullen, Belle Vale

Long memories

SO THE Tories begin the long fight back with an “off-the-cuff” speech from Mr Cameron.

I have one thing to say to him, if you think this nation will be bought by a few tax cuts, then think again. Here in Liverpool, we have long memories.

K Lyon, Walton

Pupils’ behaviour

HAVING recently enjoyed a week-long break with the pupils and teachers of Sudley Junior school, at a PGL activity centre in Shropshire, I would like to congratulate the parents and teachers for restoring my faith in the way children behave and conduct themselves.

So much of today’s press is geared up to demonising the next generation of youth that are coming through to follow in our footsteps. If these children are anything to go by, I believe we have nothing to worry about.

There will always be an element of any society that will not conform to normal codes of behaviour, but, after witnessing these children taking part in activities and enjoying outdoor pursuits, I will not be too disheartened by some of the stories I read in the national papers about youth behaviour and crime. Instead, having seen first hand young children at play, I have been uplifted and amazed that, contrary to what is reported, the country is not going to the dogs.

Rather we will have a generation who on the whole do respect their elders and have good manners and will be a credit to the nation. So let’s report more positive stories about the youth of today, and put more faith in our children.

Eric Moffat, via email

Health and safety

I NOTE the article about the lack of occupational health care in the Liverpool city council offices.

Sadly, it is my experience as an occupational health physiotherapist, that government offices in all departments work on the principle of “leaving well alone”.

In other words, if no-one is complaining, nothing gets done. When will the message filter through that prevention is better – and cheaper – than cure?

As you rightly point out in your Opinion column, “the local authority as one of the city’s largest employers needs to set an example for other employers across the area”. It is to be hoped that this official notice from the HSE will provide the wake-up call needed.

Rosemary Quinn, Prenton

Strange photo

IT WAS strange to see in Wednesday’s Daily Post, a recently discovered photograph of John Lennon when he was a 17-year-old teddy boy and a photograph of Paul McCartney as he is today. Something funny has happened along the way, because Paul looks younger than John.

Can any of your readers explain this phenomenon?

L Gaskell (Mrs), Bebington

Community funding

IT’S such a shame for it to take the death of an innocent, young boy to act as a catalyst in releasing long- overdue funding for a community centre in Croxteth.

It is pleasing, however, to see Cllrs Moffatt and Stewart setting aside party politics in order to both work together for the common good of the community.

Neil Branigan-Owens, Croxteth resident

Beatles legacy

HEY, who says that The Beatles are gone? They are the alpha and omega of rock ’n’ roll. I teach teenagers in Canada and yesterday two boys walked into the classroom singing Yellow Submarine and another one had on a Hard Day’s Night T-shirt . . . just like the teacher has.

Johnnie DesRochers, via email

All the best, Ringo

GREAT photo of Ringo Starr on your front-page spread (Daily Post, September 27). All the best to him as he kicks off the Capital of Culture celebrations. The guy is very charismatic and with Sir Paul McCartney will do this city proud.

Graham Crick, Warrington