Tag: tony delahoy

Letter: No fracking need!

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Dear Editor

It would seem the oil extraction companies, finding their vast profits falling, are withdrawing investment. The question now arises: where will they invest their money, and in what?

In America there has been heavy investment in ‘fracking’ to extract gas. This has led to widespread contamination of the water table, with toxic chemicals making it impossible to drink or even use.  The recent television programme on the dangers of ‘fracking’ should be shown over and over again to alert people before extraction companies start investing.

There have been some indications that authorities may oppose fracking; presure must be put on them to do so.

As with wind generators, a danger arises in that private land owners will make deals with fracking companies: this must be prohibited.

Fracking is neither needed nor wanted; it poses a potential disaster by polluting our water – all done in the name of making profits for some.

Fracking as a news topic is disturbing by it’s absence: this can only mean ‘Danger Ahead’.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Letter: heed the lessons of the last five years

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Dear Editor

When it comes to voting in May we must choose somebody who we think will work to make society much fairer to everyone.

At the moment we live in a capitalist society in which the Conservatives absolutely believe, whereby the owners of wealth more or less decide what will happen through their ability to invest in industry and business to maximise profits, moving their money out of industry and business if the profit is not enough.

This ability or power to close places of work dies cause dreadful hardship to an individual and their families; also the knock-on effect damages society as a whole.

99% of the population should not be at the mercy and whims of the very wealthy 1% deciding if we work or not. Elementary fairness should mean all wealth produced be used for the benefit of all.

Everyone must choose carefully in May to avoid a repetition of the last five years.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letter: Unity is strength

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Dear Editor

The most important thing for the labour movement is to protect unity: without this, individuals and sections of the population become isolated and open to manipulation, followed by a lowering of their standard of living.

The powers that be continually use the press, radio and television to destroy that unity, attacking all sections of the labour movement whether individuals, the unions or the Labour Party, hoping to achieve and retain political control. In May we have a choice: do we vote Conservative, Lib Dem, Labour?

We know exactly what the Tories have done over the past five years, and what they intend to do. We know more or less exactly how the Lib Dems will perform.

That leaves Labour as the only hope to do what we would like to be done. This is the reason for the powerful campaign against the Labour movement.

Of course at present in Scotland the SNP seems to have attracted many labour movement supporters on the assumption the SNP will better represent the working population, therefore remaining part of the labour movement working for change.

If that is so, then co-operation between the SNP and the Labour Party is essential to throw out the Tories and the Lib Dems everywhere. May 2015 is crunch time; we must not lose this opportunity of getting rid of them.

We need unity now more than ever to save our social and public services on which we all rely. Ukip does not and cannot speak for the working population; it’s policies are conservative, divisive and backward-looking.

A.Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

Letters: Different Class: by hand or by brain

Dear Editor

When the UK had massive industries like coal mining, ship building, steel works and many others the term ‘working class’ was generally used to describe manual workers, although that work often involved great skill and use of modern technology. It was, and still is, an honourable description of the majority of the people – although the type of work has changed, not being manual, it is still wage earning.

Opportunities for some, such as the chance to take further study or to train – sometimes with financial support – has given them a more comfortable life, but it soesn’t take them into a different class: they remain wage earners. The interests of 90% of the population are similar, secure work giving them a stable and comfortable life with opportunities to develop interests and skills.

The capitalist system under which we all live is the cause of economic crisis: it is not possible for that system to give permanent security. It is an illusion, carefully nurtured, that an individual can be one of the 10% for whom everything is fine.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letters: Unite to save essential services

Dear Editor

The vast majority of people support the NHS because it is  service there for them if required. Politicians will know the wrath of this majority if they move against this universal service: the people know there are attempts to privatise some of the NHS and those politicians will learn a lesson at the ballot box.

Other essential services needed and used by everyone must also become universally, not privately, owned. The main ones are gas, electric, water and railways. The first three are needed by everyone, otherwise modern society cannot function. The railways, although not used by everyone, are a main vein transporting goods and people.

There can be no justification for these essential industries being used for private profit by those who have money to invest: it is obscene to pay them dividends when there are other people who cannot afford to heat their homes.

Profit made should be used to maintain those industries and benefit the users: this should apply to all energy companies. To reach this situation the population will have to apply the same pressure and support it gives to the NHS. These issues are common to all, around which maximum unity is possible.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letters: share necessities

Dear Editor

Most people’s work contributes to the common good: some work has an immediate affect on our lives and we depend on them absolutely, for example workers in the electricity, gas, water and transport industries.

When we get up in the morning, switch on the light, use the bathroom, use gas or electricity to make tea, make breakfast, rush out to catch a bus, tram or train to go to work. Without these services we cannot function – there are necessities; we are dependent on those workers as they are dependent on us.

This necessity is precisely why these industries were privatised, making good profits for a few: this must now change. It is high time, in this 21st century, that these industries are run for the benefit of all.

No doubt there are other examples where this principal could apply.

A.Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Letter: Green spaces of Edinburgh

Dear Editor

The foresight of past generations assured us of many beautiful areas of green spaces: parks, area greens, woodlands and walkways and the green belt around our city. They also left us other social facilities: football and rugby grounds, golf courses and sports centres. The value of all these to the quality of life and good health is immense.

Over many years a backward trend in protection of these assets has been allowed by governments and local authorities, selling off green spaces as building sites and closing other social facilities claiming they are too costly to maintain.

Two questions arise: What about the quality of life? What are we leaving for future generations?

A value analysis has been carried out for the council on Edinburgh’s 140 green spaces. It shows for every £1 spent, £12 is returned in social, environmental and economic benefits. For an annual outlay of £9,684,000 nearly £114, 191, 000 is realised. This sum is from:

  • Good health and wellbeing
  • Local economy, arising from visitors and users
  • Schools and Colleges providing outdoor education
  • Awareness of environmental protection
  • Impact of social inclusion of the community

Every citizen in every area must become aware of protecting our green spaces and support local groups and organisations  involved in this important work – not just for ourselves but for future generations too.

Tony Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letter: lessons of the past will safeguard the future

letter (2)Dear Editor

This year, France, Belgium and Holland are celebrating the seventieth anniversary of their liberation. After all the time that has passed, their joy and gratiiude is expressed not only by the elderly who suffered the oppression of occupation but also by each succeeding generation – they joy can be seen and felt in these countries.

I was part of the British forces advancing from France through Belgium into Holland. Near the town of Budel, there was torrential rain and I sought shelter in a farmer’s barn – much to the interest of the farmer’s children! I have kept in touch with the children since 1944 and have visited from time to time.

This September I was delighted to receive an invitation from the town of Budel to attend their Liberation Ceremonies as a guest of honour. These events were linked with the publication of a book entitled ‘Memories from the Past’, told by citizens of the area to the author Rene Vos, detailing the history of the occupation over the years 1940 – 44. I was asked to write the foreword for the book:

Citizens of the Cranendonck Community

To remember and to celebrate is not to glorify militarism but to show the united will of the people for a peaceful world.

It is important that events of the 1930s and 1940s are told to each generation so they can avoid the ‘mistakes’ made during that period: the ‘mistake’ of tolerating racism, the ‘mistake’ of ignoring the fascist states’ determination to expand their control over others, all of which led to world war.

It was the ordinary people of all lands who finally defeated that eveil; it is the ordinary people of all lands, armed with the knowledge of the past, that will safeguard the future.

The kindness, friendliness and hospitality expressed to me as a World War II representative was overwhelming. This is the main reason for this letter; to tell you of the great feeling of gratitude to the people of the UK and of their joy of liberation and freedom from fear and suppression.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Letter: In the public interest

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Dear Editor

In the main, the wealth of the nation is represented by the amount of products made by the people of the UK.

After paying wages and other costs the remainder is the owner’s profit, so it follows that the owner’s aim is to get as much produced for as little as possible; for the workers, their aim is to get better wages, working conditions and job security.

Given the fantastic profits being made by many industries, and the disgraceful salaries and bonuses being handed out to top management, it shows the distribution of wealth is very one-sided. The interests of owners and management as helped by having supporters in top political positions.

If the position was reversed, and workers had the overwhelming support of their political representatives, it would be a fair and just situation in that the interests of the majority of the population takes precedent over the very few. These interests would go beyond asking the employers for a few extra pounds in wages that – in a very short time – is swallowed up in rising prices.

Interests common to all are gas, electricity, water supplies, bus and rail transport, road transport and fuel supplies to get to and from work; also in particular the NHS and allied services, local services and amenities, green and open spaces.

These are a minimum of industries and services that should be run in the public interest, not for private profit; there are no doubt many other common interests that could be listed.

I believe a very large majority of people would support such a programme – a programme that worked for them, not the interests of the few.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Letter: the lies behind the cuts

Writing a LetterDear Editor

Councils and all public organisations have had drastic funding cuts, leading to a reduction in service provision. Funding cuts have been imposed on other organisations that provide necessary additional services to the public in many forms; these organisations rely heavily on volunteers, backed up by a few paid staff working to their physical limits.

If the policy of funding cuts continues, community structures are in danger of breaking down; vital services will not be available, leading to more privatisation taking place – for which, of course, you have to pay.

All money is raised through taxation, VAT, etc., which in turn should be used to fund services: political policy closing services is in fact making people pay twice for services. We are told ‘the country cannot afford them’, but as you know not millions but BILLIONS of pounds are being made in profits: disgraceful, disgusting amounts being paid to individuals who could hardly have earned such amounts – let alone spend it! And this at a time the public is being told a charge may be made in future for a doctor’s  appointment and some treatments.

We are told repeatedly the country cannot afford it; the German fascist propaganda minister Dr Goebbels said: ‘If you tell a lie, tell a big one, over and over again, then people will start to believe it’.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens