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Illusory claims of Brexit triumph

I cannot let Steve Britt’s opinion article of servile praise for Boris Johnson’s ‘historic achievement’ with the Brexit deal (Diss Express, January 8) pass without comment.

He declares that it represents ‘as good an outcome as we could have hoped for’, whereas the great question, which will not be answered until years after Boris Johnston has moved on, is whether we possess enforceable economic and political claims in consequence of our forfeiture of influence in Europe.

Most economists believe Britain will become progressively relatively poorer. Tensions will be reignited each time an EU summit makes new decisions on trade, environmental and health standards. Exporters and importers will face a blizzard of new paperwork and red-tape costs.

Write to us and give us your views (44053221)
Write to us and give us your views (44053221)

As for control of our borders, we can indeed exclude Polish plumbers and Romanian car washers but our new found liberty does nothing to resolve the more serious problems posed by non-EU immigration, formerly relied upon by the health sector and beyond.

We are where we are and I hope to play my part, alongside Brexiteers, in making the most of this ‘historic achievement’, but to do so in the belief hailed by Mr Britt that we have just secured a ‘major triumph’ would be wrong and as illusory as the Brexiteers’ excessive claims of riches awaiting us at the time of the referendum.

Keith Turner

Diss

Support was great in a tumultuous year

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of your readers who supported Barnardo’s across the south east through 2020, a year like no other.

Our shops closed, they asked when they would open, they opened and they returned with their donations and custom.

This was a huge boost to the charity as all of the proceeds from our shops in any area go towards supporting children and families. Throughout the year, the support shown to our services by the local communities was truly humbling.

During the run-up to Christmas, again at a time when everyone was suffering in some way due to the pandemic, the generosity shown by individuals and local companies was amazing, from supplying food parcels to gift tokens and offers of support.

I would like to extend a special thanks to all of our volunteers who have returned to the charity whenever they could. Their support is simply invaluable.

To them and to our staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, a very sincere thank you – and we hope to see you all in 2021.

Emma Bowman

Director (south east region)

Barnardo’s

Deserved praise for Prime Minister

How refreshing to read the article from Steve Britt (Diss Express, January 8). At last some deserved praise for Boris Johnson and the deal he concluded with the EU.

There have been many letters in recent months carping about the no-deal scenario and bemoaning the situation we would end up with. Boris held his nerve and got us an excellent deal, as Steve described.

It was obvious from the outset the EU would make leaving the EU as difficult as possible but we can now move forward with enthusiasm and do something we do very well –respect our neighbours but plough our own furrow.

Willoughby Goddard

Hepworth

Selfish actions show total lack of respect

A fellow resident of Horham was at the village shop, when they heard a customer in front say how he was up from London to use his holiday home. That being December 21.

Such behaviour shows a total disrespect for the rules and a lack of thought for the safety and health of a rural community.

The village shop has adjusted the way we are served so as to be safe as it possibly can be. It has worked well ever since the first lockdown.

That was until some selfish person saw fit to break UK restrictions, with the potential to bring coronavirus, or its variant, into our community.

If from the above dates there is a massive rise in confirmed cases, including the new variant in Suffolk, do not blame the locals – look for all the second homeowners who have not followed the rules.

Common decency prevents me from expressing my total feelings and opinions towards this person’s actions, and any others from doing likewise.

B V Hall

Horham

Clearing snow was hard work in ‘50s

Back in the 1950s, we had some heady falls of snow and drifts that blocked many of the village roads around Burgate and Wortham.

CK Mitson Haulage of Eye supplied lorries and gangs of men with shovels to dig through the drifts to enable villagers to reach shops and get out and about.

This was very hard work and called for fitness, working on a few sandwiches. This was before the days of machinery and salt, which is a godsend nowadays, with all the traffic around.

There wasn’t such a big workforce on the second day, but it was a chance to earn a little cash for those that were willing.

It must have been the same in all the villages, but there was mostly a good community spirit – there had to be and spring was on the way.

Mr G Bartrum

Willbye Avenue

Diss

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