Dear Editor,

The critique of Nigel Farage’s nonsensical immigration policy by Peter Scott (Postbag, August 29) was accurate. May I add that Farage can have no idea who could be in a Reform Cabinet bringing his plans on this …or health or housing etcetera...into reality. He only has three fellow MPs at present.

Do people who voted Reform not find it ironic that he plans to visit the US (while Parliament is sitting in the U.K.) to complain that Free Speech is under threat here while only journalists who praise Trump are now admitted to White House press conferences and he tries to sack anybody he didn’t appoint?

With regard to the young men detained in hotels, I wonder if efforts are made to involve them, under supervision, in local charitable activities like helping those in need with gardening and assisting wildlife charities with planting, maintenance etc?

Perhaps churches, national and local, could also play their part...but there is some confusion on that front today …Trump and Putin claim to believe in God, Starmer and Badenoch are atheists, Farage said “People need to believe in something”. Last November Justin Welby announced his intention to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury and, at the time of writing, there is still no appointment! “Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs:29?

Yours sincerely,

Sandra Jones,

Old Cleeve

Dear Editor,

In February, Liberal Democrat-run Somerset Council announced sweeping changes to car parking including scrapping free car parking and introducing Sunday charges - all on the promise of “fairness and consistency.” These plans were built straight into the Council’s budget, with extra income assumed before a single resident or business had been consulted.

Months, councillors were told the Council simply did not have the officer resources to get on with delivering these changes. Consultations with the public and with town and parish councils were promised “by the end of the summer.” Yet here we are in late August, and no consultation has even begun.

When recently questioned, the administration admitted it does not know how some existing car park charging agreements were calculated, has no clear system for identifying the real cost of running each car park, and cannot explain what happens to any surplus once charges are paid. In other words: they are demanding more from motorists without having done the most basic groundwork themselves.

This is not fairness or consistency – it is muddled governance. Before the Liberal Democrats at Somerset Council ask the public to pay more, it should get its own house in order. Until then, these proposals should not move forward.

Diogo Rodrigues,

Leader of the Opposition at Somerset Council

A letter in appreciation for the beautiful show at Carhampton Flower Festival Sing with Flowers at St John the Baptist Church last weekend.

It was a joy. The flower arrangements depicting a variety of well known shows and music were quite beautiful and the musical accompaniment was a lovely addition.

It was particularly nice to also read of the florists’ ideas and interpretations for their individual displays — and then tea and delicious cake at tables prettily laid out with more vases and flowers.

Such thought and effort in putting on such a lovely show just had to be acknowledged it was a truly memorable visit.

Pauline Denly,

Minehead

Dear Editor,

This International Day of Charity (September 5) we would like to say thank you to each of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery whose generosity has enabled us to help around one million cats to-date.

Since 2018, People’s Postcode Lottery players have raised £12,439,702 for Cats Protection, helping us be there for cats and kittens in need. One million cats’ lives have been changed for the better and this incredible milestone could not have been achieved without players’ support.

Thanks to People’s Postcode Lottery players we have been able to remain at the forefront of research on cat welfare, using our decades of experience to support cat owners to keep their pets happy, healthy and safe.

Helping people understand their cats means we can often avoid owners having to give up their pets. But when rehoming is the right thing to do, our teams look after cats with care and kindness, finding them loving new homes.

We speak up for cats, changing laws to give cats more protection and also run the world's largest single-species neutering programme, for both pets and feral cats.

When cat owners face hard times, we work to keep them with their pets, offering a temporary foster service for those fleeing domestic abuse, supporting those facing the loss of their cat as well as peace of mind when an owner passes away that their cat will be looked after and rehomed.

Whatever it takes, we’re here for cats and the people who care for them, thanks to People’s Postcode Lottery players.

Yours faithfully,

Cat Jarvis,

Senior Philanthropy Communications Officer, Cats Protection

Dear Editor,

As the Energy Price Cap increases once again to £1,755 for a typical household, Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, is calling on the UK government to implement a social tariff to protect dying people from rising bills.

Last year, Marie Curie received more than 2,000 energy-related enquiries via our free Support Line. Dying people don't have time to lose – the UK government must act now to introduce a social tariff to ensure everyone can live the end of their life without worrying about bills.

Your sincerely,

Jamie Thunder

Senior Policy Manager for Financial Security at Marie Curie