By Letters Editor

Copyright metro

Readers debate if Robert Jenrick’s comments about ‘white faces’ in Birmingham were racist, pro-Palestine protests and mandatory digital ID’s are back in the spotlight (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

Reader calls out Robert Jenrick’s ‘sheer lack of knowledge’

The most enlightening observation Robert Jenrick could take from his trip to Handsworth in Birmingham was that it was ‘one of the worst integrated’ places he had visited, and that he ‘didn’t see another white face’ (Metro, Wed).
That was from the lengthy 90 minutes (no less!) the shadow justice secretary stayed for.
Leaving aside how ill-mannered it is to be a guest to someone’s home and then trash talk it, one wonders why he didn’t just stay in London and visit the likes of Hackney or Tower Hamlets, or any area with a larger demographic of a certain group that exists in any major city in any part of the world.
Jenrick’s sheer lack of knowledge and basic lack of etiquette and respect (refusing to even apologise) should hopefully make anyone reconsider backing his Conservative leadership bid. David, Proud, Informed
Birmingham Resident

Reader says Jenrick was making an ‘important observation’

It is a sad indication of the level of intellectual capability of some of our political leaders that they are unable to distinguish between an observation of colour of people’s skin and a hateful racist comment.

Despite what some MPs say, when Robert Jenrick said that he did not observe a single white face when visiting a city, he was making an important observation that should lead to understanding of potential action needed to integrate people more than are currently integrated.

It is not making any judgemental or offensive comment on any individual or group of people. Oh, for a better quality of politicians. Jonathan Longstaff, Buxted

Reader opposes recent MetroTalk letters that claim pro-Palestine protestors are ‘supporters of terrorism’

This reader says ‘peaceful demonstrations calling for ceasefire are not an endorsement of violence — they are expressions of humanitarian concern’ (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Recent letters to MetroTalk have made misleading claims about anti-genocide protesters and the Palestinian people.

Peaceful demonstrations calling
for a ceasefire and an end to
civilian suffering are not endorsements of any group or violence – they are expressions of humanitarian concern.

Labelling these protesters supporters of terrorism is a gross misrepresentation and undermines the democratic right to
call for justice.

Furthermore, to suggest Palestinians have ‘wasted’ every opportunity to enjoy their own state (MetroTalk, Wed) ignores decades of occupation, blockade and denial of fundamental rights.

History shows that offers made to Palestinians have often failed to deliver real sovereignty or security.

And to blame ordinary people for the actions of their leaders is unfair. The path to peace and coexistence demands honesty, compassion and recognition of everyone’s right to dignity – not blanket condemnation. Az Moss, London

‘Israel would surely stop the attacks if Hamas gives the hostages back’, says reader

Charlie Parrett (MetroTalk, Wed) and others say the pro-Palestine protests are peaceful and are simply calling for the end of genocide.

If they truly want the end of the ‘genocide’ why aren’t they calling for the release of the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 two years ago, which is what started this?

Israel would surely stop the attacks if Hamas give the hostages back.

Yes, Israel’s response has gone way too far but the people that support Hamas and cheer terrorist attacks on our soil aren’t exactly innocent. Give the hostages back and if things continue, they have the high ground.

Until then they have not much of a high ground at all. Matt, Sheffield

This reader says Israel’s ‘response’ has gone ‘way too far’ (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Reader condemns how ‘so many innocent lives’ taken on ‘both sides’ of the Israel-Palestine conflict

The woman filmed cutting down yellow ribbons hung near a London synagogue to remember Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas is obviously a very disrespectful, insensitive individual (Metro, Wed).

She said the display was ‘condoning genocide’. Those hostages who are still alive after being held for two years will have endured terrible suffering.

I desperately hope for an end to the Palestine-Israel war, where so many innocent lives on both sides have been taken. G Gordon-Wilkin, London

‘Employ more people in the Home Office to reduce the number of asylum seeker applications yet to be processed’, advises reader

Labour is proposing to introduce ID cards to clamp down on the black market economy, which is said to be acting as a pull on illegal immigration.

May I suggest that the money may be better spent employing more people in the Home Office to reduce the number of asylum seeker applications yet to be processed? Mrs Nelson, London

Reader compares assisted dying bill to mandatory digital ID’s

This reader says that Mahmood’s support of mandatory digital ID’s is hypocritical (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Less than a year ago, in November 2024, our new home secretary Shabana Mahmood said that ‘recent scandals – such as Hillsborough, infected blood and the Post Office Horizon – have reminded us that the state and those acting on its behalf are not always benign’.

She was talking in opposition to the assisted dying bill. And yet she is now trying to give the state unprecedented power over people’s lives and freedoms, by introducing mandatory digital ID and allowing police to ban protests.

Does Mahmood think her government, and every government that follows,
will always use these new powers fairly and responsibly?

The laws she is proposing are so far-reaching that any abuse would be extremely dangerous for our democracy and our country.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We know that and Mahmood knows it. The state’s not always benign, after all… JWA Caley, St Pancras

Reader says right-wing politicians are ‘the biggest threat to workers’ rights’

Will Podmore (MetroTalk, Mon) says debate has been ‘suppressed’ into how mass immigration reduces pay and working conditions.

The issue has been a public debate for at least the 38 years I have been alive.

The suspicion is that someone so interested in the subject is not really interested in things such as workers’ rights, education and health at all.

Otherwise, why would they entertain voting in right-wing governments?

The Tories and Reform aim to take us out of the ECHR and further privatise the NHS, if not dismantle it completely.

The biggest threat to workers’ rights, education and our health system isn’t someone coming here in an attempt to have a better life, it’s right-wing politicians who count on their voters being blinded by hate for their fellow man. Jon, Hendon

This reader says right-wing politicians rely on ‘their voters being blinded by hate fir their fellow man’ (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Reader says ‘home-grown workers don’t want the jobs migrants do’

I am befuddled by Will’s claim about migration being promoted to dodge reskilling British workers and save on pay.

It’s simpler than that – home-grown workers don’t want the jobs migrants do and curbs on migration have already damaged the economy. It’s down to fears about race and diversity. Len Hay, Harrow

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments