Your letters...

Why pay to fly the flag?

Sir, — I could not help noticing that today (Monday) all of the Union flags around Henley have been taken down.

Having made enquiries at the town hall as to why, I was told that they are being replaced by those for the upcoming Henley Literary Festival. Fair enough.

However, on asking if the Union flags would be returning thereafter, I was told this was not currently planned. On asking how such decisions are made, I was told that the flagpoles are for hire and, on request, was given a form to make such reservation.

I note that the form only pertains to the four flagpoles directly on the town hall. What about all of the other flagpoles along Hart Street and opposite the town hall above the Oxfam shop? I counted at least 10 and there were more.

While I wholeheartedly endorse flagpoles being used for local events and occasional related advertising, is it really the case that those on a government building, funded by British taxpayers, are “for hire”?

Would it not be more appropriate if the flags on such public buildings were permanently kept with this country’s national flag, as is customary in most other countries?

By way of reducto ad absurdum, what if someone hires such flagpoles for flags of the Nazi party or, for that matter, rainbow flags, or those of Russia or a banned political organisation? Is the council so out of cash that it must force such compromises on to its residents? — Yours faithfully,

Davide Ferrara

Makins Road, Henley

A spokeswoman for Henley Town Council responds: “The flagpole on the town hall is not available for hire and is used to display the appropriate flag for occasions. Banners on the town hall may be hired by major events, such as the Henley Literary Festival, but always in line with a strict policy to ensure they are used responsibly and appropriately. The large flagpoles in Market Place were installed to celebrate VE Day and may also be hired for significant community events like the Christmas celebrations, again subject to the same policy safeguards. Smaller flagpoles and Union flags on buildings around Market Place are not for hire. They are retained by the council and used to mark national occasions, Henley Royal Regatta, and other civic events. While they are not scheduled to return immediately after the current festival, they are likely to be used again for future celebrations.”

No need for ID cards

Sir — Do you know who I am? Look, my driving licence, passport, birth certificate, see? Keir Starmer wants to force through a mandatory ID card.

The main reason? It will stop illegal immigrant working. But how? Aren’t we all, every man, woman, Jack, Jill of us supposed to have a National Insurance number issued to us?

I have one, not only that, I get asked for one if applying for a job, or a passport or in many other, sometimes surprising places. Why is this not enough?

Can we not just have a driving licence-style NI Card with our photo on it which gets updated every so often? And can’t we stop issuing NI numbers to every migrant that floats over, as if it were a bag of pick ’n’ mix? And can’t we have a strict policy of “No NI number — No Job” and make it a criminal offence to hire without one, on day one?

But that would be too easy and wouldn’t allow the regime to add a social credit system to it later, a behaviour punishment scheme. You know, like China where, one word out of place and you can’t buy food or pay your bills or travel.

It’s the first step to central digital banking and control of your actions by controlling your use of money. Will a new ID card stop the multitude of immigrants on Deliveroo bicycles? Or any other cash transactions that avoid the government getting its claws into it for their slice?

No, because for that to happen, we would have to become cashless. And that way lies tyranny. Take care of each other. — Yours faithfully,

Edward Sierpowski

Henley

Time to open our eyes

Mr Sierpowski’s letter (Standard, September 26) stated two main points we all should shout from the rooftops.

Ruling classes and their decline is now more apparent than ever. Media supplication to the pursuit of “greed” is across the board.

Secondly, “UK politics is in the same gutter”. May I opine that the finest words he expressed for me “In our United Kingdom” and it is a pleasure to read the starting point we need to be aware of.

Political corruption, world complicity in what has been deemed “genocide” and, of course, the overuse and utter folly of bigging up zillionaires who actually are in a world that, as Mr Sierpowski states, is “Change is being forced upon normal people”.

Many warnings — open your eyes! Bravo for the letter. — Yours faithfully,

T P O’Brien

Watlington

I reported scammers

I would like to point out a couple of inaccuracies in your article titled “Scammers target riverside car park” (Standard, September 19). I was a victim of this scam on Wednesday, September 3. I attempted to pay for parking at about 11.30am using two credit card machines but neither worked.

To avoid a fine, I then used the QR code on the side of the machine to pay. Unfortunately, this also failed after I entered my credit card details. Consequently, I moved my car to the Waitrose car park.

Later that day, I discovered that my credit card details had been compromised and used fraudulently. I contacted my bank and the card was stopped.

I reported the scam to Henley Town Council that evening via its website but did not receive an acknowledgement. I also reported the matter to the Police Action Fraud website.

Thames Valley Police said they had not received any reports but I submitted my report. The council told you it had not received any reports, which is also contradicted by my submission to its website. — Yours faithfully,

Name and address supplied

Grateful for your help

Sir, — This afternoon (Monday) I was, as usual, on my trusty electric buggy, Odysseus, in Blounts Court Road, Peppard. Near the crossroads by the B481, I couldn’t see any oncoming traffic, as there was a big van in front of me, so I started to cross the road. I was horrified to see two cars heading straight towards me.

I was so frightened, so I just stopped there, I am 87. Mercifully, both drivers stopped quickly and were so kind.

The driver of the second car offered to come home with me. I was so touched and wish to thank her in your pages, please. Her name is Louise and she lives in Bix. Thank you, Louise. — Yours faithfully,

Valerie Phelps

Peppard Common