Welcome to openDemocracy’s weekly reader comments round-up. This is an opportunity for us to showcase some of the many carefully considered messages we receive on a range of topics.
These comments are edited for clarity, accuracy and length and don’t necessarily reflect openDemocracy's editorial position.
Re: Is a shift quietly underway in British politics?
Let's hope so. The problem is that too many people are claiming they will vote for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Is this a knee-jerk reaction to failed years of table tennis between the Tory and Labour governments? The problem I have is that I am Scottish and we badly want independence. Jeremy Corbyn was and still is a Brexiteer, and I don't think he looks kindly on independence for Scotland. He may make a more socialist trend in England, but, like those currently in power in Westminster, he’ll no doubt not give a damn about my country. –Jan
Thank you for such an insightful article. A lot is going on, and ordinary people are learning that the current status quo is not beneficial to 99% of the population. Thank you for being there to keep us informed. –Myrtle
Whether on the left or the right, Corbyn was incompetent. During the famous televised pre-election debate in 2019 (which Boris Johnson was too scared to face), broadcaster Andrew Neil showed that Corbyn had little in the way of a political programme. Corbyn never took up the idea of the Norway solution to the Brexit problem because he supported the rejection of Europe. So advocacy for him is no better than advocacy for Farage; both live in a dream world, and it's obvious that the electorate loves to live in dreams. –Noel
Re: Weekly Poll: Would you support a Ukraine-style visa scheme for Palestinians?
Yes, medical help for these poor, starving children in Gaza should be offered in the UK. The problem is, will they have any surviving family to accompany them? After the treatment, how will they be accommodated? Granted, they will be better off than living in a warzone in Gaza, but more than medical and physio aftercare is needed. Plans to put this in place and appropriate funding need to be thought through. –Rosemary
Firstly, it needs to be emphasised that the illegal occupation of Palestine must end, the land be returned, every trace of the settlers removed, and reparations be paid for, plus compensation. The Right to Return must be honoured, and Palestinians helped to return and aided in their recovery and rebuilding of their lives. But yes, to address immediate concerns and to save families from annihilation, a fast-track, easily accessible visa should be brought in for Palestinians with family in the UK. –Else Panayi
I would support it, but it would also potentially help the Israeli and US governments, which wish to ethnically cleanse Gaza. –Jan
No, is the short answer – but the reason is that it would be too little too late. It’d be only a salve for MPs’ consciences. What should happen instead is that the UK, in its position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, should call out Israel – naming names – as the perpetrator of genocide and demand an immediate cessation of hostilities, with trials at The Hague. And our government should spearhead emergency food aid and medical assistance forthwith! Instead of conducting an aerial bombing war, Israel should have committed boots on the ground in the first instance. Because it did not, it caused the current crisis, and the Israeli government deserves to be prosecuted for that, not cosseted. –Inguz
