Dear Editor,

The Reform Party is benefiting from voters’ disillusionment with other political parties - it is “none of the above”. Two major hurdles they must overcome are: a costed manifesto (as pointed out in Peter Scott’s letter, Postbag, July 4) and zero experience of forming a government. The Labour Party has many experienced parliamentarians but their huge majority has afforded the luxury of allowing them to split into factions. With fewer MPs than are needed for a darts team Reform are already expelling Members and suing each other.

Picture Day One of a Reform led government with Farage as PM, Tice as Chancellor …..then what? Defence, Health, Education - all massive challenges and a bunch of totally inexperienced people, who barely know each other, running round like headless chickens and doing a crash course in how to get legislation through parliament. Crash may also be a word associated with what might happen to the financial markets which like “stability”. We saw what happened when Truss went off piste - and even for a short while when Rachel Reeves looked tearful.

The Reform Party is currently benefiting from not having to defend a record - but it is worth mentioning that due to an unforeseen event, an eighteen year old Reform councillor is Interim Leader of Warwickshire County Council (£500 million budget). Some will say “So what? He could be great!” Most will blink with incredulity and reach for their medication ….. or a bottle.

Yours sincerely,

Sandra Jones

Old Cleeve

Dear Editor,

This octogenarian a latter day retiree to this 'ancient' gateway to the 'wonder' of Exmoor; a unique inheritance to be cherished, successive generations transitory custodians. We 'baby boomers' a lesson or two! The contemporary 'panacea' of everything 'digital' disenfranchised a large 'swathe' of many of us, imbued in our local newspapers, rooted in our communities over the century. Many a journalistic 'revelation' pace local governance/magistrates courts/ecclesiastical 'disclosures'/WI et all, faithfully reported in the WSFP, pace 1860. (WSFP: 4 July 2025 'Bags of cash, paid to mayor, councillors are told'.)

Whither the Nolan Principles amongst past and present members of Minehead Town Council; the 'essence' of local governance? The 'current' Town Council, deficient five members; amongst the community in my experience many an individual to serve the community (Public Service)! Doesn't rely on party 'political' apparatchiks.

"Ich Dien"!

Graham Livings,

Minehead

Dear Editor,

Can anybody tell me why on earth the farmers/contractors have been out cutting hedges in June this year, earlier than I have ever known?

Surely if they genuinely wish to reverse some of the damage that they have inflicted on our wildlife they would not do this.Birds are still nesting in June and Wildlife and Country side Act states this must not be carried out between the months of March and September.

If farmers are genuine in their wish to reverse some of the damage they have caused by far the cheapest and easiest thing to do would be to leave a hedgerow uncut for at least a year. This is quite possible with modern machinery. Doing this would leave all the food such as fruit and insects for the birds plus shelter for birds and mammals during the bleak winter months.

There can also be fines imposed on those who cut hedges illegally.

There is much talk in the media with reference to farmers changing policies to aid wildlife but I personally don't see any sign of this happening.

Yours sincerely,

Meg Sunningdale

Dear Editor,

Whilst we are all enjoying some nice summer weather we must be careful not to waste our precious water supply .

If you should pass by Morrisons 'car jet wash' you can observe people spraying gallons of our precious drinking water all over their cars that are not even dirty. Unbelievable!

D Morgan

Minehead

Dear Editor,

Somerset Sight is looking to recruit more volunteers to visit blind and partially sighted people in their own homes in West Somerset. This Volunteer service has been run by our charity for the last 30 years, we have 100s of volunteers visiting people across Somerset.

Loss of sight could happen to any of us and frequently leads to loneliness and isolation, the regular company of a local volunteer and help with reading and correspondence can greatly help to mitigate this.

People very much look forward to their volunteer visits, our volunteers say that giving something back to their local community and visiting a person for company and friendship benefits them too!

We have a number of new people in West Somerset who would love to have a volunteer visiting but we need more volunteers.

If you have a little time available please do get in touch, visits can be once a fortnight and can be fitted in around your personal life. We pay you any reasonable expenses including mileage and I personally introduce you to a person before you start visiting.

Please contact me on 01643 842972 or email [email protected] for an informal chat.

Thank you so much.

Claire Packwood

Somerset Sight