In MetroTalk: A reader battling cancer criticises opponents of the assisted dying bill accusing them of fearmongering vulnerable groups (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
‘The bill is intended for people like me, not the elderly or disabled…’
Like Sarah (MetroTalk, Wed), I was incredibly moved when reading Mike Longhurst’s story about his daughter Kate’s tragic death from cancer aged 43. I was in tears reading about the appalling suffering endured by Kate and her family.
As someone who has cancer for the third time and facing an uncertain future, I found it incredibly cruel that opponents of the assisted dying bill were willing to dictate to me that I have to go to the bitter end, whatever the suffering I may have to suffer and the lasting trauma that my loved ones will have to endure.
As a friend said, you’d be prosecuted if you allowed an animal to suffer what some people go through at the end of their lives. She had witnessed two horrific deaths.
What really upset me about the debate were the arguments that the elderly and people with disabilities would face pressure to end their lives early.
The bill as it stands is for a small group of terminally ill people with six months or less to live.
My elderly mother was very distressed listening to those opposing the bill as she was convinced by their arguments that if she went into hospital she might never come out.
It took me a long while to reassure her that she wouldn’t be affected by the bill – that it was intended for people like me to give us an option of a better death if we were facing intolerable suffering. Ruth Wheeler, London
Labour’s renationalising the railways: what do readers think?
‘Thank you, God.’
Best early Christmas present I could have read about was in yesterday’s Metro, with news South Western Railway is the first operator to be renationalised. Thank you, God. Fred, Hampshire
The announcement by transport secretary Heidi Alexander about South Western Railway poses serious questions about the future of our rail system.
‘Past experience suggest it’ll still be inefficient’
While the government assures us that this decision will enhance service quality, past experiences with nationalised industries suggest a risk of inefficiency and stagnation.
As Winston Churchill wisely said, ‘We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.’ This sentiment rings particularly true for our transport infrastructure.
A vibrant, competitive rail network is vital for our economy and the mobility of our citizens. A nationalised rail system would not only dampen competition but could lead to a decrease in service quality and reliability.
Moreover, the financial implications should not be overlooked. Nationalisation often leads to increased taxpayer burden, diverting funds from essential services while resulting in less accountability.
We ought to promote policies that encourage investment in our railways through public-private partnerships, which have proven to deliver better outcomes.
Rather than embracing a model from the past, let us foster an innovative and efficient transport sector that champions private-sector participation.
This approach not only respects taxpayer money but ensures we have a rail system that meets the needs of a modern Britain. Alastair Majury, Dunblane
Will it take us back to the ‘dark days of British Rail’ like this reader thinks?
Heidi Alexander is Britain’s Secretary of State for Transport (Pivture: Carl Court/Getty Images)
‘Be careful what you wish for’
So apparently the ‘latest’ transport secretary Heidi something (no point remembering as she’ll probably be gone in a month) thinks the railways are way overdue an overhaul. In some ways, I’ve no doubt she’s right but the comedy duo ‘the two Micks’ – Whelan, head of train drivers’ union Aslef, and Lynch of the RMT – are clearly looking forward to a return to full union power to throw us back to the dark days of British Rail.
As always, be careful what you wish for. Alexis, Bristol
‘Lets do water next’
I applaud the government for cracking on with its plans to renationalise the railways.
Public transport was sold off as part of an ideological experiment we can now say has failed. Next stop, water. Jim, Warwickshire
Is Australia’s social media ban for under 16s overdue?
The ban won’t go into effect for another year (Picture: Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
‘I hope the UK follows suit’
The Australian government has taken the very wise decision to pass a law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts. I hope other countries, including the UK, will follow suit.
What do other Metro readers think? Do they agree with me that a ban for under-16s is long overdue?
Let’s engage in a debate about this. Al Charlton, via email
Would you support a social media ban for under 16s?
What could the NHS learn from dentistry is performed abroad?
A reason to smile for this reader who went abroad for his dental treatment (Credits: Getty Images)
‘I picked up my denture the very next day’
I wrote here last month that NHS dentistry was so broken I had to go abroad to get my teeth sorted.
Here’s how it went. I arrived in Portugal on Tuesday. On Wednesday I located a dentist at 11am. The dentist sat me in the chair, had a look and said, ‘You need a bit doing – could you come back at 4pm?’
I did as asked, had two fillings and an extraction, and collected a fixed denture at 2pm the next day.
All this for less than the NHS charges for dentures (it charges for upper and lower jaws even if you only need one).
This is how things should work. George, via email
Does the blame on men only alienate them?
‘Calling violence against women “male violence” alienates innocent men’
I wish people like Angelika (MetroTalk, Wed) would stop putting words into other people’s mouths.
Responding to my argument that branding violence against women and girls as ‘male violence’ alienates innocent men, she said I seemed more offended about that than the fact women and girls are getting murdered.
I no more said that than she said she hated men.
A majority of these may be at the hands of men but it’s a minority of men.
If you want continued support, make clear who you are blaming.
Would you prefer it if we blamed all women for what a few women do?
Paul, London
Vilifying ‘men of a certain age’ will only deepen the division
Addressing allegations Gregg Wallace did call out ‘middle-class woman of a certain age’ (Credits: BBC/Shine TV)
Regarding Gregg Wallace, I can’t help but feel that vilifying ‘men of a certain age’ will only deepen the division between those of a progressive mindset and those more set in their ways.
It is important to understand that those who cause harm with their words often do not understand the damage caused by their actions.
The punishment for those who take a step back should be education, not career-ending humiliation.
Only this way can society truly unite and progress without the risk of backlash (see America, 2024). This in no way intends to diminish the harm caused for inexcusable behaviour. PT, Tulse Hill