At long last the Starmer-led Labour government has scotched the Farage-Johnson lies leading-up to the 2015 ‘illegal’ Brexit vote and its subsequent loss of a big chunk of our British economy by 14 per cent, or about £20 billion a year, and increasing everyone’s cost-of-living. I say ‘illegal’ because in every democratic organisation I’ve ever belonged to in my 85 years on earth – probably about 30 – whenever there’s been a significant change in its constitution, it’s had to be confirmed in a special AGM Vote and carried by at least a two-thirds majority of those voting. As I hope everyone remembers, the Tory Brexit referendum was nowhere near carried by this majority, only by a very marginal 51 to 49 per cent and therefore its legality in democratic law is unproven, apart from to its fanatical lied-to supporters.

In fact, now with a large overall majority of MPs in the Commons, mostly green socialist leaning ones – including my forever uprising Green Party and now very large contingent of Liberal Democrats and Scottish MPs – all wanted Starmer to secure an EU deal much closer to the single market and customs union, which brought us such riches until the Farage-Johnson ‘leave loonies’ conned everyone into self-inflicted punishmernt .

With his 180-seat overall majority, why on earth does Starmer have to spend so much time pussy-footing around trying to tread middle ground with irrational anti-EU, anti-public services, anti-workers rights, anti-education, anti-woke, anti-NHS ( or US Medicare ), anti-immigrants, anti-fair taxes and PR voting, anti-Ukraine, anti-Palestinian etc. far-right fanatics like Trump and his buddie Farage?

Time everyone told him that walking in the middle of the road – looking as much Tory as Labour – means sure electoral suicide in 2029 !

Climate Best Trade with Neighbours ,

Alan Debenham

Taunton

It’s rather mystifying that Geoffrey Brooking devotes more than three quarters of his letter (Postbag, May 16) to attacking politicians who aren’t running the country.

He doesn’t mention the PM by name but credits the Labour government with “keeping its promises”. Recollections may vary on that.

But I’m glad that Sir Keir doesn’t have President Trump’s problem of trying to persuade Congress he can accept a $400-million, gold interiored Boeing from Qatar to ferry him around. Sir Keir’s freebie designer specs and a couple of suits gifted by Lord Alli didn’t attract anything like the same amount of criticism.

As Mr Brooking says “we are making ourselves respected on the world stage once again”.

Sandra Jones

Old Cleeve

Mary’s Meals is a charity that serves life-changing school meals to children in some of the world’s poorest communities, across 16 countries. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future.

But with the impact of conflict, climate change and the global cost-of-living crisis creating growing challenges for families in these communities, our work is now more urgent than ever. That’s why I’m asking your readers to consider doing something powerful – setting up a regular gift to Mary’s Meals today.

Until May 31, a generous donor will triple your first three monthly donations. This means if you sign up to give £5 a month, your donation will be increased to £15. With the price of a meal costing just 10p, a £5 monthly donation would feed 50 children every month, and 150 children a month for the first three months!

Regular gifts are the foundation of our work. They help us expand our programmes to reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals, and ensure we keep our promise to the children who rely on us – like 11-year-old Grace from Zimbabwe.

Grace lives with her 83-year-old great-grandmother, Elly, who struggles to provide food due to the ongoing drought across the region. Grace often arrives at school tired and hungry, but she knows she’ll receive a hot mug of porridge when she gets there. It gives her the energy to learn and the confidence to dream.

“I can concentrate better. I can read more when my tummy is full,” she says. “When I’m older, I want to be a teacher.”

Elly adds: “Everyone is happy about the porridge. It’s the biggest difference I’ve seen in this community.”

Grace is just one of the 2.6-million children who will eat Mary’s Meals today. But too many children are still waiting. Please help us reach them by setting up a monthly donation – through Direct Debit or your employer’s payroll scheme, and together we can give more children the food they need, the chance to learn, and the prospect of a better tomorrow.

With heartfelt thanks,

Marie Doyle, executive director, Mary’s Meals UK

Do you have fairies at the bottom of your garden? After the introduction of the new chair, treasurer and committee to the members unable to attend the AGM, this was the question posed by our speaker, Mr Brian Wright.

Preconceptions were severely shaken when Brian explained that fairies were not necessarily translucent beings with gossamer wings, but came in all shapes and sizes with very different characteristics. They also have different names, depending on which part of the country they make their home. Brian’s amusing and informative talk was accompanied by some very good slides illustrating this fact. It would appear that some fairies are helpful and accommodating, while others were spiteful and naughty and play nasty tricks!

For me and one or two others a highlight was a picture of an old fashioned Brownie (Guide) in the familiar brown cotton dress complete with leather belt and woollen beanie hat, standing beside the big spotted toadstool we used to dance around. Oh, happy memories. Robbie thanked Mr Wright, and we hope he will come again to entertain us with another of his fascinating talks.

Next month’s meeting takes place on Monday, June 9, at the Rugby commencing with coffee (or tea from 10.15am). Please bring your own mug.

Anne Sparkes, U3A Wellington