What’s got readers talking today. (Picture: WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Does privatisation serve the public interest and can public ownership work? One reader argues for returning public services and says companies know exactly what they’re doing.
Meanwhile, readers share thoughts on crimes in the Metaverse, clapping for NHS workers, the kindness of postmasters, and the use of computers for English exams, questioning the impact on traditional education methods and the next generation’s handwriting…
What do you think?
Read on to see what readers think about this issue, among others.
‘Privatisation of public services does not work for the public.’
When are our politicians going to promise to bring public services, transport, power, water and all the NHS back into public ownership?
You do not have to be Einstein to realise privatisation of public services does not work for the public. Privatisation means services are cut to the bone and are more costly to users as companies chase ever-increasing profits.
I have an acquaintance whose company provides IT support to the NHS and in his words ‘my company is ripping off the NHS left right and centre’.
Many will say public ownership does not work but it works a damn sight better than privatisation.B Butterfield, Leeds
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‘this uncaring regime seems to reflect the equally uncaring electorate’
Having clapped them, do you back them? (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)
Susan, Oldham (MetroTalk, Fri) takes offence at striking junior doctors ‘mocking’ her clapping of the NHS during Covid by holding placards saying ‘clapping doesn’t pay the bills’.
She may have a point, so long as she didn’t vote for a Tory government that stuck two fingers up to junior doctors when they had a chance to give them a decent pay rise.
At the moment, this uncaring regime seems to reflect the equally uncaring electorate – it’s a shame the ‘so-called’ Labour Party has decided to move to the right to appease the public just to get elected. It’s a sad time for politics in this country Alan Noon, Banstead
‘Real rape victims don’t have the luxury of an off button’
Do you think an investigation into VR rape was necessary? (Credits: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Further to police investigating the ‘gang rape’ of a girl aged under 16 in the virtual reality metaverse (MetroTalk, Thu).
I think that to claim to be virtually raped and have this investigated is a huge insult to those who have had the trauma of a physical rape.
Those victims were not able to remove a headset to walk away. Police should not even have to consider an investigation of this kind. Geraldine, Islington
The girl had an off button to press. Real rape victims don’t have that luxury. Get off the metaverse! Amanda, Leeds
Meat rations?
Do you limit your meat consumption to combat climate change? (Credits: Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Graham Pearson (MetroTalk, Thu) talks of having flights and eating meat rationed to combat climate change, just as people had to make similar sacrifices during World War II.
No, Graham, we are not going to show a ration card to the butcher or have our flights charged against our allowance. Our predecessors during World War II were deferential in a way we are not. Andrew Turek, London
Justice for the postmasters
Building exterior showing a red post office sign in a rural village in England (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Further to the scandal of hundreds of postmasters wrongly convicted of fraud because of the faulty Horizon accounting software (MetroTalk, Fri).
I was a Post Office engineer in the late 1990s and I visited many sub-Post Offices to install the Horizon system.
At every sub-office I visited, I was treated with so much goodwill it was almost overwhelming.
Tea and biscuits daily and on tap and, occasionally, if the facilities allowed, a full breakfast.
Knowing and working with these dedicated and loyal Post Office personnel makes watching the drama about the miscarriage of justice, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, infuriating.
Those who oversaw this scandal must not be allowed to escape retribution for the ruination of so many hard-working and honest people’s lives. John Nightingale, South Redbridge
Will computer exams give our children square eyes and bad handwriting?
Don’t young people use computer screens to study anyway? (Credits: Getty Images)
Metro (Thu) reports that exam board Pearson Edexcel wants to let schoolchildren do English GCSEs on computer screens instead of on paper.
This is a lousy idea. Only opticians stand to gain – from the sale of specs and contact lenses – while even less handwriting will produce sloppy writers in this generation. Anne, London
Drone v Helicopter
With the widespread use of drones in many conflicts and in border control, I’m surprised that larger UK police forces have not deployed them.
Drones require no air crew, offer cheap fuel consumption, longer air operations over a wider area and make less noise disturbance than helicopters Mike, Tyneside
Why do we have elections?
Josh (MetroTalk, Wed) was correct in his assertions regarding the EU and democracy not being a ‘one-off event’.
Leave voters maintain that once we voted, we should not be permitted to change our minds. Josh is right to point out that we have elections every five years precisely because we can change our minds.
It must also be taken into account that Leave voters are predominantly from the older generations.
The demographics of the population is changing and even if the 2016 voters didn’t change their minds, the new make-up of the electorate would gravitate to a more EU-friendly nation.
Brexit Leave voters won’t like it but there is nothing they can say or do to stop the inevitable. Barrie Barton, Bristol
MORE : Man, 24, turned away by NHS dies of cancer after not paying for £65 private test
MORE : Police investigate ‘virtual rape’ of a child in the metaverse
One reader argues for returning public services and says companies know exactly what they’re doing.