Letters: Is it any surprise there's a lack of patience with Labour?

Labour have squandered plenty of missed opportunities to turn the tide, says a disgruntled Big Issue reader.

Labour have kept us waiting long enough

Some of your recent correspondents counsel patience with the new Labour government. That would be fine were there any sign it was heading in the right direction. But what have we had?

Abolishing the two-child benefit cap (taking 300K+ children out of poverty)? NO. Keeping the winter fuel allowance, saving 50K pensioners from the cold? NO. Introduction of a 2% wealth tax (which even a millionaire writing in The Times advocated)? NO. Stopping the callous and over-the-top clawback of carers’ funding for minuscule over-payments? NO. Protecting the disabled by not increasing PIP rules? NO. And the latest, protecting the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, which is a lifeline for those caring for severely disturbed kids? NO. All no, no, no.

But kowtowing to the City/rich by taking no steps to reduce inequality? YES!!!

Is it any surprise that there’s a lack of patience?

John Bishop, Wolverhampton

What a woman!

Thank you for your article on Dorothea Barron, a 100-year-old Wren veteran. What a woman! I loved reading her account of her younger life. So honest and engaging, a woman ahead of her time. Thank you for sharing, Dorothea.

Katy White

Issue 1665 was certainly food for thought, from 100-year-old veteran Dorothea Barron to the keep calm and open a canteen article. It’s a timely reminder that people, all of us, need connection. And what better way than the re-establishment of public canteens? Another aspect is the cost. A young family I spoke to in a basic cafe told me it was cheaper to go out for a meal than use the gas or electric at home. Yes, there is still a lot of poverty around – a continual battle, as Dorothea said about life.

Lynn Brookes, Preston

Souped up

I saw this artwork in an exhibition at Mid Street Lab and thought it would make a thought-provoking image for your magazine. The artist is Broken Glass.

I have asked him if I can share his image with you, and he wholeheartedly agreed. 

Simon Worrall

Gone nuclear

I was surprised to see Paul McNamee in his Editor’s Letter last week say that nuclear power has to be part of our renewables future. I agree that fossil fuels need to be left in the ground. But as one of the Green councillors who spoke at the Lakenheath Peace Camp pointed out, military requirements drive our so-called civil nuclear power, the economics don’t work and are a poor substitute for genuine renewables that would keep us warm, reduce our bills and stimulate the economy.

We have not got the time or money to waste on nuclear power. 

Kate Taylor, South Gloucester 

• Would reversing winter fuel payment cuts be enough to restore trust in Labour?
• Working class and young people are ditching Labour. ‘Aping Reform’ won’t bring them back
• Labour’s workers’ rights plan slammed as ‘unrecognisable’ and a ‘betrayal’ by Unite union boss

Labour of love

Social media commenters react to our piece on Niall Harbison, a former media business owner who found purpose after a near-death experience by rescuing street dogs in Thailand.

I have been following him and his mission for quite some time. Amazing commitment from a very humble guy. Tina and Alba’s loss was gut-wrenching. No matter the ending, these dogs and Niall are a divine match.

Nancy Long, Facebook

Wonderful man, I’ve been following him for over three years now. So inspiring, and I saw him give a talk at the Royal Geographical Society in London last week. Funny, insightful and moving. The book is also beautifully written. He’s a great storyteller.

Victoria Jeffrey, Facebook

One of my favourite humans. Been following him for years when Hope, Moritz, Rodney, Whacker and McMuffin were at the land. Tina stole the hearts of many, internationally! I’m happy to be a small part of Tina’s hospital.

Mona Contreras, Facebook

I’ve been following Niall for a long time. A genuinely lovely guy who’s picked himself up and found his love of dogs giving him true purpose in life. He deserves all recognition for what he does, and what the dogs do for him!

Cathay Dimaline, Facebook

Thank goodness for Niall, he is a man on a mission that will make such a difference to thousands of dogs.

Jflyn.3, Instagram

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