SIR – The African Union has aligned with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in calling for reparations from Britain due to its “colonial crimes” (report, September 9). CARICOM is requesting £18 trillion. The claim from the African continent is expected to be greater.
As Nigel Biggar (Comment, September 9) presents the notion that Britain is owed reparations by Africa for the slave trade as hypocritical, and it will be exploited by those who seek to signal their moral superiority by spending others’ money.
But it goes beyond that: it’s entirely nonsensical. If the notion that historical rights and wrongs could be measured were taken seriously, the economic and social advantages that have been gained by descendants of African slaves who are now citizens of America and Britain would also need to be considered, along with the benefits that African nations received from colonialism. This would result in a more accurate representation of the so-called bill.
William Fleming
Frimley, Surrey
SIR – It’s also important to note that for approximately 200 years, Africans (primarily Barbary pirates from the North African coast) were responsible for capturing Britons and enslaving them in Africa. I have a personal connection to this topic, as the Mount’s Bay region of Cornwall was one of their main targets, and it is a family story that some of our ancestors were among those taken.
Juliet Johns
Truro, Cornwall
Uncivil debate
SIR – It’s unfortunate and disheartening to learn that the new president of the Oxford Union, who had a debate with Charlie Kirk, appears to have expressed support for his shooting through a series of WhatsApp messages sent to Union members.telegraph.co.uk, September 12).
I believed the main purpose of the Oxford Union was to promote reasonable discussion and develop the skill of disagreeing constructively. To honor the killing of a father with two young children, regardless of his political views, is completely unacceptable.
He is not worthy of his prominent position.
Eamon Lambert
Norwich, Norfolk
Starmer’s support
SIR – After the Prime Minister supported Angela Rayner and later backed Lord Mandelson, can we expect Sir Keir Starmer to soon offer his clear support for Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary?
Philip J Ashe
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Brexit rationale
SIR – I need to disagree with the notion that Brexit was “based on the claim that immigration had gotten completely out of hand” (“How Boris’s Brexit paved the way for the largest influx of migrants ever,” News Focus, September 7).
The primary factor driving support for leaving the European Union was the idea of “regaining control.” Many Brexit supporters felt they were contributing more in taxes to a large organization that was making decisions without proper democratic input.
There is no question that the vaguely structured “points-based” immigration system implemented after Brexit turned out to be a complete failure. Nevertheless, it was a decision made by our elected government and played a significant role in the country’s decision to remove the Conservatives from power a few years later.
To be fair to Boris Johnson, the then prime minister, I clearly recall the intense complaints from the pro-immigration group warning of doomsday if migration restrictions weren’t eased in any way – everything from the collapse of the NHS to fields filled with spoiled food.
At the very least, we now possess the democratic mechanisms to address the issue on our own, although I acknowledge that it has taken far too long for politicians from all parties to recognize that we are a relatively small island with a high population density.
Fred Fearn
Bridport, Dorset
SIR – Sir Bill Cash (“Starmer’s Brexit reset is an affront,” Commentary, August 30) downplays the significant number of unexpected consequences that arose after our departure from the European Union.
He seems to have overlooked the fact that he was part of the Conservative Party that pushed the Brexit deal through Parliament in just one day. It’s perhaps not surprising that several issues were overlooked. For instance: post-Brexit phytosanitary rules still impact our agri-food industry (like seed potatoes, scallops, and cut flowers); leaving the Dublin system means we can’t send illegal immigrants back to their original EU entry point; the Belfast Agreement has become unstable; our well-known musicians and orchestras face significant challenges touring in Europe; and our truckers continue to have difficulties picking up from and delivering to various locations across EU borders.
If statutory instruments offer a straightforward method for addressing some of these issues—instead of attempting to negotiate an entirely new Brexit arrangement—then I don’t understand the issue, provided they can help us escape these and many other difficulties that the original Brexit agreement led us into.
Dr Anthony Harris
Trumpington, Cambridgeshire
Defence dilemmas
SIR – While the £10 billion agreement for BAE Systems to construct frigates for Norway (report, September 1) benefits the UK economy and defense sector, but is balanced by the report that a Royal Navy Destroyer, HMS Daring, has been out of service and receiving repairs for over eight years (“Destroyer capable of countering Putin’s missile assault is stuck in the harbor,” Features, September 1) Adding to this are the issues that have troubled the Navy’s highly regarded aircraft carriers and the worries regarding the operational readiness of its nuclear submarines – both worsened by a lack of naval personnel to operate them – and the situation turns dire.
These issues, of course, are not limited to the Navy, but also affect the Army and the Royal Air Force. All of them have resulted from ongoing insufficient funding for defense. As the threat from countries such as Russia and China continues to grow,Letters, September 7, the protection of this nation has become essential.
Ensuring adequate financial resources to address this is a critical concern that the Government cannot afford to overlook.
Mick Richards
Malvern, Worcestershire
Cycling safety
SIR – I have recently started cyclingLetters, September 7), and I am currently training for my first sprint triathlon. We often hear about the safety of female runners – which I am also part of – but I have never felt more unsafe than when riding my road bike.
I follow all the traffic rules and also come to a stop on narrow country roads to allow vehicles to pass me safely. However, recently during a ride, just a couple of roads away from home, a group of men threw an unknown liquid at me from the window of a passing van (which had the logo of a well-known company). Later during the same ride, on two different occasions, young men found it funny to shout at me through their open windows as they drove by.
This type of behavior is frightening – so this week, I replaced my outside ride with a spin bike at the gym for better safety.
It doesn’t need to be like this.
Vanessa Vander Tuff
Rainham, Kent
SIR – Charles Smith-Jones (Letters, September 7) indicates that cyclists should “take some personal responsibility and have third-party liability insurance for both rented and personally owned vehicles.”
He could benefit from knowing that every member of British Cycling is protected by the very same third-party insurance. Given the ongoing risk of accidents that cyclists face nowadays, joining British Cycling is essential, as it also offers legal assistance in case of any cycling-related incident.
Roger Warwick
Horsham, West Sussex
What emergency?
SIR – Last Sunday, the Government activated an emergency alert message and siren on millions of mobile phones throughout the country.report, September 7) I remain uncertain whether I should have sought shelter in a nuclear bunker, as I never received any communication.
Even though it’s just 15 miles away from Manchester, we don’t get a mobile signal, so we have to use wifi calling. For the past five weeks and likely another five ahead, Sky and Openreach haven’t been able to fix the broadband issue. The only way to communicate is through the landline, which is fortunately still working.
Maybe the nation’s infrastructure needs to be addressed before we keep moving quickly towards a digital society?
Tim Lowe
Stockport, Cheshire
The hidden pleasures of a northeastern treasure
SIR – I appreciated Christopher Howse’s article about Sunderland (“Beyoncé ought to be purchasing real estate in Sunderland, rather than the Cotswolds,” September 9). I spent many years living and working there – it is truly a remarkable place. However, many of us in the North East tend not to boast about how pleasant life is up here.
Interestingly, although there is no Waitrose in Sunderland, there isn’t one in Newcastle either – it shut down in 2022.
Kathleen Gleenon
Whickham, Durham
Road-ready
SIR – I acquired my driver’s license in India during the early 1970s. I learned to drive on my own: I observed other people driving and would take my parents’ car out at night, with the cook accompanying me, who had never driven before. He served more as a source of comfort.
At that time, the educational requirements meant that you needed to have completed your third year of formal education and be 18 years old or older. There was no written examination.report, September 10) and I took the practical test when I felt prepared for it.
The examiner, along with three other candidates and me, were seated in the same vehicle and took turns driving slowly for a short time over open terrain.
I was informed in advance that each of us needed to offer the examiner a “bakshish” (a financial tip or gift) in order to achieve a favorable result.
We all succeeded. Those were the days.
Ramesh Nayak
Louth, Lincolnshire
SIR – I read Mike Earnshaw’s letter (August 31) with a sardonic grin. During the Covid lockdown, I purchased a nearly new, exceptionally beautiful Mercedes e220 AMG station wagon in glossy black to replace an old Honda Accord that we had for 18 years.
Regrettably, our relationship wasn’t smooth because the dashboard computer kept displaying a teacup and reminding me to take a break every 50 miles, and it wouldn’t cease until I had stopped the car.
A recurring message stated, “oil is overfilled,” which was puzzling since I hadn’t added any and it was new from the dealer.
When I tried to check it, I couldn’t locate the dipstick, so the only option was for Mercedes to retrieve it and resolve the overfill problem.
Our relationship only lasted about six months, but I managed to sell it for a gain of £6,000 and bought a three-year-old Honda CRV – complete with a dipstick – that I really enjoy.
Dorothy Ward
Southampton
Tartan tales
SIR – When I was a child, my family spent some time living in Somerset. During that period, my father was invited to a Burns Night dinner. As a Lowland Scot from the Central Belt, he didn’t own or ever wear a kilt, so he dressed in a suit.
When he arrived, he was a) the sole Scotsman present and b) the only visitor not dressed in a kilt.
Hilary Aitken
Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire
SIR – In 1972, my attire for the wedding day departure included a pleated skirt, coordinating waistcoat, and tam o’shanter, all in my husband’s hunting tartan.
Upon observing this, my mother-in-law immediately said: “My dear, your days of hunting are finished.”
Bridget Ross
Eastbourne, East Sussex
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