YP Letters: Officials' bias in support of the EU

CABINET Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood has clearly demonstrated that the Civil Service does have an agenda of political bias.

Such a policy is in direct contradiction of one of the most important principles supposedly enshrined in our system of bureaucracy; that of political indifference.

Never more can these people be trusted.

Perhaps the real reason for this unwarranted action is that some papers contain information which would not only support but demand that the UK withdraw from the EU.

From: Tony Sheridan, Tickhill, Doncaster.

I HAVE been struggling to find facts, rather than just opinions, to guide me in the forthcoming vote. This has been difficult, particularly now that it seems our own Civil Service is allowed to disseminate only facts that support the European Commission.

However, there is one fact that has received surprisingly little publicity – the Commission’s accounts have not been approved by the auditors for 20 years.

There are only two possible explanations: the Commission’s handling of money is either incompetent or corrupt and, as they have been unable or unwilling to change this for so long, probably irredeemably so.

The European Parliament is too disparate, second rate and comfortable to impose control and neither they – nor the Commission – want to see the boat rocked.

From: Roger P Brown, Mountbatten Avenue, Wakefield.

SO the French are at it again, threatening that if we leave the EU they will allow unsupervised and open access for migrants to the UK. Well, we should threaten them with a total and comprehensive boycott of all French products – cheese, wine, apples, perfume, cars, the lot! This would teach our French friends(!) that deux can play these games.

From: Mr R Urquhart, High Hunsley, Cottingham.

REFERENDUM? It’s becoming more like a neverendum to a lot of us, so June 23 cannot come soon enough!

From: Keith Wigglesworth, Mead Way, Highburton, Huddersfield.

I HAVE long held a view, which history has confirmed many times over the centuries, that as long as we have Europeans as friends, we do not have to look very far for enemies.

From: M Dobson, Feversham Crescent, York.

DAVID Cameron says we should vote to remain in a “reformed” EU. But the EU has not been reformed. He has negotiated a few minor concessions of dubious future legality on benefit payments to migrants. Staying in the EU, you know what you are going to get – more rules, more regulations, more loss of sovereignty, more immigration. His “leap in the dark” looks more inviting by the minute.

From: Arthur Quarmby, Underhill, Holme.

I WONDER what our brave servicemen and women who gave their lives to preserve British freedom and independence would think of those who would prefer to shelter behind Germany? Dare we betray them?

From: Gary Mason, Bird Lane, Hensall.

AFTER reading lots of comment in the pages and I’m sure there will be lots to come, the lack of clarity seems to be the order of the day. In my mind, it’s up to the out campaign to explain how we will benefit from an exit and whether we can dismantle health and safety legislation.

I was told by a client in my shop that the EU slowed them down at work because they had to make sure the loaded lorries were secure and strapped down before they moved from the loading bay.

Now is it just me that thinks that’s a good idea?

Solution to airport link

From: Mr GA Hall, The View, Alwoodley, Leeds.

LEEDS Bradford Airport needs good transport links, that is obvious (The Yorkshire Post, February 27). The problem is the usual one of kudos, and like supertram plus trolleybus, a great amount of waste.

It is amazing how the likes of Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool have excellent tram or metro systems but Leeds and Bradford just seem to go backwards – very frustrating.

Tram-trains are the way to go, as they are a success abroad.

Talk of a tunnel to LBA has also been suggested but is probably too expensive.

The obvious problem of the gradient from Horsforth could be solved by using the rack system, as in Switzerland and Austria. This is used on many main and secondary lines in these countries in the Alps. It may be cost effective if it is factored in to a tram-train system for upgrading the Leeds, Harrogate and York line. I live in hope!

A rose by the correct name

From: Ian Evans, Church Lane, Willoughby, Lincolnshire,

I NOTE that your sports correspondents repeatedly refer to the “Red Rose” when referring to the England Rugby Union team. As a proud Englishman, and equally proud Yorkshireman, I am dismayed to see this.

The English Rose is the Tudor Rose, with each petal a combination of red and white representing the unification of the Houses of York and Lancaster. The “English Rose” or “England’s Rose” from now on, please.