Is Gorton and Denton a ‘left-leaning constituency’? Readers discuss

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This reader points out that Farage and supporters ignore evidence

Esther (MetroTalk, Thu), who supports Nigel Farage’s cruel and economically illiterate child benefit caps, asks whether there ‘has been a comparison done on the number of children whose parents work and those who don’t?’

It’s hard not to suspect that, were she presented with this research – which I suspect is available and probably undermines her and Farage’s views – she’d ignore it, given that in her next breath she rejects poverty charities’ claims on the likely negative effects of Farage’s policy, which I’m sure are evidence-based. Alistair King, London

Reader says Gorton and Denton is a ‘moderately left-leaning’ constituency

My constituency of Gorton and Denton is in the middle of a media circus due to the upcoming by-election. My neighbours and I (of many nationalities and creeds) agree that voting for Reform would be akin to supporting a divisiveness and level of unkindness that would throw our wonderful neighbourhood into disrepute. In general, people here are moderately left-leaning, anti-racist and couldn’t care less about the gender argument (except when it inevitably becomes mean-spirited).

Around here, people are most concerned about how to stop an easy Reform win.

Farage specifically stands against my friends and he allegedly had a pint in the whitest part of our ward – which is fine – but I’d like to offer him a fantastic biryani (BYOB allowed) down our end. I await his call. Patrick O’Donnell, Levenshulme

Readers says Palestine Action activists who have been cleared of aggravated burglary should have been charged

Six Palestine Action activists have been cleared of aggravated burglary despite all but one of them admitting to breaking in to a UK site linked to an Israeli-defence firm.

How is this even possible, especially as a the court heard a policewoman was off work for months with a spinal injury after being hit with a hammer.

What was the jury thinking? The police have a hard enough job without having to deal with people disrupting our military sites. Harry John, Linton

We should take tips from Sweden on preventing potholes

Andy (MetroTalk, Thu) has a good point about councils checking road works to ensure they don’t end up turning into potholes.

There is a simple US/Swedish system where sticky tar is poured into road cracks and sprinkled with chippings. This inexpensive process prevents the ingress of water and the evolution of potholes. On a 100-mile survey of the system in use in Sweden’s österlen I found just two 10cm potholes. Robert, Eccles, Kent

Reader clears up football attire dispute

Lizzie (MetroTalk, Thu) asks why footballers wear short-sleeved shirts when it’s so cold they’re wearing gloves. Hands can get very cold even when the body is warm. I am a runner and often wear a short-sleeved T-shirt and gloves. Without the gloves, my hands get very cold and ache. I suspect that it is the same for some footballers. Sarah Payne, Eltham

‘Keep the good wishes going’, says reader

Pedro (MetroTalk, Thu) was taken aback to hear someone say ‘Happy New Year’ on February 3. I’m Scottish and I say it until at least Easter if 
I’m seeing a friend for the first time since Hogmanay!

It’s a great greeting to perk us all up at the start of the year, so let’s keep the good wishes going. Fin, Manchester

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