Letter: Town or country
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: As one who has lived in the country all my life, I am mystified by Mr Resheph's attack (letters, 28 January).
It is true, no doubt, that much of England's wealth is contained in towns and in their industries. Yet Mr Resheph's vision of an idle rural idyll is grossly unjust. Agriculture, which is necessarily a country business, is far from being the practice of the idle rich. It is extremely hard work, with long hours and uncertain benefits. Only in resent years can England no longer produce enough food to feed her population, but the value of what she does produce should not be undermined.
Town taxes may subsidise rural healthcare, but rural taxes subsidise the arts, which are largely inaccessible to rural populations without recourse to public transport (where available) or private cars.
The country lifestyle is in many ways a tough one, and yes, it is less lucrative and so generates less taxes. By Mr Resheph's reasoning countryside should be dispensed with and Britain turned into a single city, ensuring parity of access and contribution. Indeed, not only should the town not subsidise the healthcare and education of the country, but the whole social support scheme should be abolished. Why should people who earn money pay to support the "spoilt" unemployed and disabled? I cannot believe that this is what he intends.
It is important to recognise that different lifestyles have different contributions to make. The country, perhaps, has cause to be grateful to the cities, but the relationship between town and country should be that of willing partnership rather than petty antagonism.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments