The solution to the Oxfam scandal is simple – donate to local charities instead

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Where does your money go when donated to large charities? (Getty)

My best advice to the generous and kind-hearted folk who donate to Oxfam is to give your donations to local charities. You will have a far better idea where the money is going and thus be more in control – as for the overseas aid budget, 90 per cent should be diverted to worthy causes in the UK. It is wise to remember that old saying, charity begins at home.

Dave Haskell
Cardigan

We can’t deprive those in need of aid because of the actions of a few individuals

We must not throw the baby out with the bathwater over the Oxfam situation. Sure, there is a management and systems failure, but the situation is repairable. Just because a few bad apples let the side down it does not mean the whole organisation is corrupt. Since its foundation in 1942 Oxfam and its many thousands of volunteers over the years has saved possibly millions of lives, and continues to do so.

To deny the organisation the £30m UK government aid would be wrong, and that would only be to satisfy those who are baying for blood. The work Oxfam’s wonderful volunteers have done over the decades speaks for itself, and I will continue to support this excellent example of British compassion and generosity. As for those who let the organisation down, they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

John Fair
Ireland

Which is more morally reprehensible? For a charity to undercook its response to the activities of a small number of its aid workers several years ago, or for a country to turn its back on that same charity – depriving the poor and undernourished in countries all over the developing world of essential aid. Britain, get a grip!

Jonathan Cullis
Coombe Bissett

Columnist Sean O’Grady should join me on an anti-fox hunting trip

Sean O’Grady has disappointed me with his sarcastic piece on Labour’s animal welfare commitments. This type of sarcasm about all matters relating to animals is extremely outdated as well as being downright unkind.

Contained in Labour’s policy statement is a firm commitment to strengthen the Hunting Act, a measure to be greatly welcomed. Surely there cannot be anyone left in the country who does not know the current hunting ban is routinely flouted – the criminality being surrounded by aggressive menaces towards anyone who objects.

If Sean O’Grady would care to accompany me when I go out and monitor illegal hunting, I think any sarky phrases he may be rehearsing in respect of foxes would shrivel up and die as he faced the horrific reality.

Being facetious about animals and their vulnerability really isn’t clever. They deserve better.

Penny Little
Great Haseley

We can’t rely on politicians to get it right – people must band together on Brexit

As with any crisis, some people will always attempt to take advantage. I didn’t think it would be the very people we entrust with the duty to keep us safe. When you look at Boris and Rees-Mogg, you can see two bounders on the make. Using big words and talking down to everyone is their only talent. Strangely, the people who will vote for these dangerous idiots are the very ones that will be most affected by their policies.

I’m not scared by Brexit, as we as a country have always dug ourselves out of the holes people like Boris dig on our behalf. Like most people who have worked in large organisations, I have come across these types. No real talent but get by or succeed on bluster, threats and stealing ideas off others. In others words: acting like Dark Ages barons.

I have not seen any plan worth the name, and as a project manager with 25 years' experience – I do know what I’m talking about. If I had acted in the manner of these two, I would have been sacked on the spot.

Unfortunately, the opposition is no better. I have no words to express my disappointment in Labour’s words and actions. Please let me takeover at PMQs – I couldn’t do worse. It almost seems they are frightened just in case they actually end up in power again without a plan.

We need to be sure that we keep the current EU citizens based here supported and made to feel welcome. We need to make sure the Irish question is addressed; no text messages, proper meetings for goodness sake. We do not need trade barriers, and any money we need to meet our obligations should be paid in sensible instalments; after all, pensions are paid monthly.

We can get this delivered successfully but we need to treat this as a business project, not some idiots running around acting like three-year-olds. We need clear deliverables, a budget and dates for completion. A project plan would be nice, and a risk/issue log, a change process agreed and, most of all, for people to start acting like adults.

This is too important to screw up. If done correctly it may not be the promised land as the liars on one side said or the end of the world as the liars on the other side said, but a project delivered on time, on budget and with the deliverables we all need.

Do I think it will happen this way? I certainly hope so, but current world politics do not provide much hope. Leavers and Remainers – let’s get our act together and tell Parliament what is needed. There will always be some on the extremes of the debate whose objective is the end of our wonderful country – they must be sidelined.

Last year was a difficult one for many and heartbreaking for some. Remember how the people of Manchester and London reacted to the terrorist attacks? That is the spirit we need now – think of that wonderful policeman fighting two armed men with nothing more than his truncheon, or the people of Manchester filling Albert Square the day after the bomb killed 22 people.

If we can fight terrorists together, surely we can get Brexit sorted. We need to do it for our children’s future, let’s get it done!

Peter Chapman
Chorley

Boris Johnson sounds like…

The report of the Foreign Secretary’s forthcoming speech today irresistibly reminds me of the longest song title ever used in Hollywood.

“How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I’ve Been A Liar All My Life?”

Bruce Napier
Willington