4 minute read
Making a difference
Sally Underwood Political Animal
YOU are what you eat is an oftenused phrase, but in politicial terms perhaps it’s ‘you are what you think’ that matters most.
One of the things that struck me most when I moved to Spain seven years agoeven after a career working in Parliamentwas how much politicial decisions, both large and small, affect every single part of our daily lives.
On moving here I was immediately struck, for example, by how easy it was to park for free almost anywhere; just one small policy made by local government over how many free parking spaces there would be in each area.
This small decision of course has farreaching consequences; the ability for pensioners, the disabled, and busy parents to be able to park close to banks, schools and shops. The ability for small businesses to attract customers.
Of course, not every decision is a win and in time I began to value some of the UK’s own policies more and more for their straightforward, timesaving logic.
The gov.uk website is one genuinely excellent example of this. Whether you want to submit your tax return at three minutes to midnight on deadline day, change a car’s legal ownership, or renew your passport, pretty much most paperwork can be handled with the push of a button.
And while Spain is glorious for many things its weather, culture and stunning natural beauty included making bureaucracy simple is not generally known as being one of those things.
Which raises the important point; it’s only by knowing that alternatives exist, that there is another way, that any sort of change is brought about.
Because we see something done one way repeatedly we begin to think of it as normal, yet that doesn’t have to be the case.
Perhaps what Spain’s plentiful free parking and the UK’s simplified red tape really shows then is how much governments seek to gain when they share ideas.
Those fundamental policy changes which make such an impact in everyday life may not be the easiest to push through, but they certainly make a difference.
Sally’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.
The letter I believe gives a false impression. She does not say she was deliberately physically attacked. From my experience, it appears the 80yearold lady was the victim of a bag snatch.
However she had a good quality shoulder bag, the strap of which did not break when it was snatched. The lady was pulled over with the force involved, banged her head and suffered a broken shoulder. The injuries she suffered were clearly not intended, albeit sadly serious.
John Carrington (80 years old)
No example
WE have just spent a week on Mallorca and picked up the last two copies of Euro Weekly Informative for the most part but horrified at the racialist tone of the Leapy Lee columns.
Our ‘nonwhite’ friends were clearly upset at the tone and implications of his writing. Our friends, like their parents, were born in the UK. How can it be they are not ‘an example of what the majority of UK districts represent’. Do we all have to look ‘white’ to represent our country?
The disclaimer you print under his column feels disingenuous. Freedom of speech yes, but publishing overtly discriminatory views should have no place here.
Joseph Williamson Sunderland
Driving rules
BILLY, Fuengirola, in a letter recently complained 70yearolds renewing their Driving Licences will now be required to undergo a medical test every two years.
It appears Billy does not know that from one’s very first application for a DL in Spain, every renewal and exchange of a licence, one has always been required to pass a psychophysical examination at a Driver Recognition Centre.
For those 70 and over the test is free. So no big deal to ensure we are safe to drive
Elaine Gonzales (83 year
Hi team La Scala
We loved the decor and table gifts we received from Michel at Euro Weekly, and if you could please pass on our appreciation of such thoughtful words and flowers that would be great.
We enjoyed our little VIP booth and being able to see all what was happening around the room as well as having ringside seats for Johnny and the sax lady. It was particularly good to see all the beautiful clothes the models from Mapuchi Moda were wearing. A big thank you to Sara and her girls for adding hugely to the afternoon’s entertainment.
Finally to think enjoying ourselves so much could raise such a huge amount for Dementia Support was absolutely lovely to hear.
old driver)
ON behalf of our table of ladies I would like to thank and congratulate all the team at La Scala for putting on such an excellent day yesterday.
Hi Leapy,
Richardson
Thank you and Kind Regards Jane
I READ your recent column with a wry smile. I am a 6ft former prop forward and no softie having been married to my lovely wife for 30 years. We still kiss numerous times a day and hold hands at all times while out and about.
She recognises what you said about the present range of over aggressive females. What really winds her up is the current TV advert fashion of the need for young females to have explained to them the intricacies of their periods and products for dealing with them and secondly the impression given that the menopause, like periods, never used to happen when she was young. How on earth did females manage back in their younger days?
What is the matter with young people today ?
Best wishes and keep going, Paul
Dear Editor,
Gidney
I was appalled to read the letter from Unhappy, Torrevieja regarding the violence she was subjected to when her bag was stolen. Hopefully she is recovering physically, though it will have a lasting effect on her.
My husband had his bag stolen just over a month ago. It was a distraction theft and fortunately he was not injured but was shocked to be a victim after being so careful.
It would be interesting to know if anyone who has experienced this kind of theft has ever had any documents or personal possessions recovered.
Several friends and family members would also greatly appreciate the return of the Codeword in your newspaper!
Yours sincerely,
Glenda North Ciudad Quesada
