Letters to the Editor - 9th July 2008

Jul 9 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Judiciary in need of reform

AMID all the cries for tougher sentences for knife and gun crime, we should all consider a few points.

Firstly, legal penalties are tough enough, it is the judges applying them that seem to be weak, failing to have the courage to make them sufficiently punitive to be a deterrent.

Secondly, we must look to the past to see how these things pan out.

In the 18th century, gangs of criminals were even known to simply burst into people’s homes and commit unspeakable acts. The response was to bring in more draconian sentencing where even something as trivial as stealing a silk handkerchief could be a hanging offence.

The laws were brought in by the upper classes to subjugate the lower orders, with the result that the lower orders all but revolted and the problems became worse. What finally began to ease the situation was a series of reforms which gradually gave the working classes rights, fairer treatment and better living conditions.

Today’s problems are so similar. I agree that those convicted of violent crimes should be treated harshly but, at the same time, the root cause; – the disenfranchisement of large sections of the population who feel they have no voice and no direction – also must be addressed.

It is a matter of education and the judiciary are as much in need of reform as the perpetrators of the crime.

J Ellis, Rock Ferry

Unable to heal

I AM beginning to wonder if this is a society unable to heal itself. Every major domestic problem seems to be greeted with hand-wringing, and when that is done a committee is set up to investigate the problem.

One of the biggest problems is knife crime.

Almost daily now, we hear or read of another teenager being killed or wounded.

Nobody seems to have any idea of what to do.

As usual, the politicians and social workers prattle on about the causes.

The causes will only be of interest when the problem itself has been crushed.

Let me suggest right away that possession of a knife, except in the course of legitimate work, should carry a minimum sentence of 10 years and attacking someone with a knife should carry a life sentence.

Of course, in a liberal society we shy away from such measures, but they are necessary if these crimes are to be stopped.

Basically, most of us do not want people carrying weapons on our streets, therefore the carrying of weapons must be made a very serious offence with an appropriate sentence.

That is how you end it. Otherwise, much of Britain will become unsafe for decent people. Quite a lot of it already is.

Arthur Thomas, Birkenhead

Lack of screens

I AM writing in response to L Phillips’s letter (“Fantastic Show”), which was published in Monday’s Liverpool Daily Post.

On Sunday, I attended the Paul Simon concert which was part of the Summer Pops events at the Echo Arena.

Being my first time at the Arena, I found the new stadium to be clean, with the entrance to the Arena smooth and the staff very helpful – the Arena is a joy to be- hold and the acoustics are excel-lent and, all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Paul Simon and his show.

However, one thing that slightly marred my enjoyment of the show was the lack of a big screen.

As I was also seated near the back of the Arena, I found it very difficult to see Paul Simon properly – a big screen (like that at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester) would have made the concert even more enjoyable; indeed, several concert-goers near me remarked upon exactly the same thing.

For some relatives of mine, I am aware that big screens have been used before at the Echo Arena for shows such as Dancing on Ice, so why aren’t they a permanent fixture at the Arena?

If we want to keep up with our nearest north west rivals of Manchester, surely we should be competing on the same terms?

Nicholas Jones, Broadgreen

Best things

CAN I just say the Echo Arena must be one of the best things to happen to Liverpool in decades.

I was there on Wednesday for Meat Loaf’s Summer Pops concert, and I had a fantastic time. Not only was the man himself brilliant, but it was lovely to be down by the water and to see everyone filling up the bars and restaurants where once there was just wasteland.

J Kew, St Helens

Genius idea

WHOEVER came up with the idea of booking Duran Duran for this year’s Summer Pops is a genius.

They gave their all for two hours and, despite their age, they could give the boybands of today a run for their money.

Alex Carter, Chester

Change will happen

IT WAS interesting to read the comments of your correspondent Bill Henderson, in yesterday’s Daily Post.

He expresses concern about what Capital of Culture has really meant to ordinary Liverpool people, and what it will mean for the city in the future.

It is a similar conversation to one I overheard at the weekend.

I was making my way to the Echo Arena for the Duran Duran concert and heard a woman behind me telling her friend how she didn’t know what all this Capital of Culture thing was about. “It hasn’t changed anything for me,” she said.

Her point was valid but the problem is, I think, that many have misunderstood the Culture Year concept.

It was never going to magically wave away years of depression in Liverpool; it was always meant to be more of a new start for the city.

It has meant a lot of investment, but, yes, there are areas which still need a lot of help.

Moreover, though, I do think this year has changed people’s thinking and attitudes about the city and that is a real achievement.

As for everything else, it will happen, given time. I firmly believe that.

A Small, Allerton

Culture achievement

COULD I say how much I agree with your correspondent Bill Henderson, whose letter on Tuesday questioned if anything had really been achieved by this European Capital of Culture year.

It seems to me that there has been a lot of spin and arty-arty stuff for a tiny minority of Liverpudlians.

But what has really been done for the people living in poor areas?

Will they wake up on January 1, 2009, and think that it was all worth while?

Mavis Green, Huyton

Bridge tolls

THE competition seems to be hotting up as to who should have the right to milk the cash cow that is the motorist.

Merseytravel says it is objecting to the building of a toll bridge out of concern for the motorist but they represent their own interests – in this case, money – and, with regard to congestion at Runcorn bridge and the surrounding area, I believe that they could not care less.

At the other end of the scale, we have Halton, whose concern is that their cash take on a new bridge would be threatened by there being no charge on the existing Jubilee Bridge.

Yet look at London’s many bridges, only one has a toll.

With regards to the idea of the bridge being free for people from Widnes and Runcorn, then perhaps the surrounding towns could charge anyone with a Runcorn or Widnes plate to use their roads or to cross the Thelwall Viaduct?

None of these ideas are right and they should all just be incorporated into the national road system.

The increase in fuel tax due to the oil price rise could build half a dozen such bridges.

M McDonald, Ellesmere Port

Fuel duty cut

AS PETROL and diesel are one of the main outgoings for many people in this area, I am writing to ask for the views of your readers on proposals for a “Fair Fuel Stabiliser”.

The idea is that when the price of oil goes up, fuel duty would actually be cut.

And with duty rising when oil prices fall, we would be putting something aside in the good years to help in difficult times.

Had this been introduced in the last Budget, people would now be paying 5p a litre less every time they fill up at the pumps.

Instead, the Government is looking at another 2p rise on October 1.

George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, has asked for people to comment on his proposals, and I think it’s really important for people in this area to be part of the consultation.

To give their views on the Fair Fuel Stabiliser, readers can call into my constituency office at Wallasey Campaign Centre, 46, Seaview Road, Wallasey or visit www.wallaseyconservatives.com

Cllr Leah Fraser, Prospective Conservative MP for Wallasey

Bird theft

SO THE “Chick on a stick” has been returned following its theft (“Bird returned” Daily Post, July 5).

To my mind the real “theft” was charging the sum of £60,000 for it in the first place.

I live for the day when the entire collections of people like the Saatchi brothers are declared to be not worth tuppence and consigned to the dump . . . I wish.

Meanwhile, real artists and craftsmen are ignored by the establishment which seems to consist of mutual backslappers awarding each other prizes. Meanwhile, the so-called Turner Prize remains as an insult to the man’s name.

Don Tilston, Warrington

Street pictures

I LIVED at 75, Marion Street, in Birkenhead, in the 1950s and am looking to contact anyone who has pictures of the street.

I am also trying to obtain pictures of Cathcart Street School. I can be contacted on 0161 773 2140.

Paul Hill, Prestwich