Tenbury MP’s stance criticised

HARRIET Baldwin, MP for Tenbury, was quoted ( Advertiser , April 10) as accusing ‘critics’ of hounding the cabinet minister.

She is further quoted as saying the issue is a complex one and infers that the press, frightened of the Leveson report, wanted to hound her out of office.

On the contrary the issue is not complex; while I would be the first to agree that the press is certainly not whiter than white, thank goodness we had a British press able to highlight this affair in the first instance.

It is certain the voters have more to fear from our politicians than from a free press.

Mrs Miller’s refusal to fully co-operate with the committee of inquiry into her claims, plus her dismissive and insulting apology in the House, together with the rejection by the Commons Standards Committee of a recommendation by the independent parliamentary commissioner for standards that she should repay £45,000, is a disgrace.

The support, by David Cameron among others, for Mrs Miller unfortunately goes a long way to explain the public’s ever-growing disenchantment with poli - tics in general and a lack of trust in the Tory party itself.

Ron Hill

Green Lane Crescent

Yarpole

near Leominster

 

Students’ rite of passage

TIME was when it was rite of passage for students to have a secret fag on school premises.

I recall having to be more and more inventive about finding places where the aroma of a roll-your-own would not drift and alert the duty teacher at break.

It seems today’s students don’t even have to try.

I note Ludlow College has applied for planning permission for smoking shelters for students in its grounds.

Perhaps they could save some money by using the greenhouse, bought new more than a year ago and erected in the grounds.

Andy Wright

Lower Broad Street

Ludlow

 

Plea to allow dogs on buses

HAVING just returned from a walk in the Leominster area I am pleased to read about the town’s award of Walkers are Welcome.

However there is a problem in that town concerning public transport and walkers.

Local bus companies provide a good service to the rural community, often with near-empty buses, but have an outright ban on dogs, other than assistance dogs.

This is frustrating to visitors who often walk with their four-legged friends and are not aware of the rule.

Perhaps the bus companies will reconsider and allow responsible dog owners on board.

It may generate a little more trade and help tourism.

John Dawson

Westhide

Hereford