Forcing our young people into national service will only teach them one thing – how to skive

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Is this really a worthwhile use of young lives? (Getty)

I was born in October 1939, the first month when national service was abolished.

There is a widespread misconception that this was a fine institution which was an essential character building experience at a key point in a young man’s life. Sean O’Grady is totally misguided. In the 1950s, young men, not just posh young men, did everything possible to avoid it. But if you did not manage to do this, you learned one single priceless lesson: how to skive.

Is this really a worthwhile use of young lives?

John Polley
Ludlow

So Sean O’Grady – an individual who, one suspects, has never done a second of military or community service in his life – thinks reintroducing a form of “national service” would be a great idea (The UK should take a leaf out of France’s book and bring back conscription). It would, he argues, help society become less hidebound by class and economic factors – as if a few weeks or months being forced to do something you almost certainly have no interest in would encourage anything other than deep resentment of the world in general.

He even praises President Macron – an individual who recently bullied a young teenager who was just trying to be friendly so badly that there are fears for the youngster’s long-term mental health – for having such a bold vision for the youth of France.

A few decades ago, relatives and friends of mine in both France and Belgium were obliged to endure the kind of service that O’Grady thinks is so wonderful, and I can vouch for the fact that it did none of them any good whatsoever.

One, in fact, went on to become a drug dealer in Morocco, the country where he had completed two years’ compulsory “voluntary service”.

If O’Grady really does think national service is such a great concept, why doesn’t he pack in his job at The Independent and swap his laptop and sneakers for a pair of heavy boots and a backpack weighing upwards of 40 pounds? That would surely be an inspiration for disaffected youth everywhere, and provide useful fodder for a future feature article.

As for those who really can’t wait to stomp around a parade ground and learn how to kill people, there is already a readymade option. It’s called the territorial army.

Rob Prince
London SE13

‘Transphobic’ comments were never acceptable

A new SNP minister is fired on her first day, because unsurprisingly remarks that were offensive when originally written are still considered unacceptable today. Some question the first minister’s judgement over the proposed appointment given she was well aware of the comments.

What Nicola Sturgeon cannot admit, of course, is that she hoped the remarks would not be brought up again because good candidates for these roles are getting pretty thin on the ground. Perhaps if the SNP are running low on talent they should let someone else have a go.

Keith Howell
West Linton

Most Brits don’t care about Maradona

Regarding your article “Brits dislike Maradona” may I point out that this is purely an English sentiment? The rest of us non-English Brits couldn’t care less and most probably are very much over the Falklands conflict, especially if we are rugby followers or affiliated to Patagonia!

Meirion Rees
Atworth

The difference between scientists and poiticians

Reading The Independent after listening to a Radio 4 science programme brought home to me the difference between scientists and politicians (of all hues): scientists make up theories to fit the facts; politicians make up facts to fit their theories.

David Watson
Goring Heath

The EU has no reason to consider the UK

Is there no one in Theresa May’s cabinet who can face up to the prime minister’s lack of diplomatic skill?

Can someone not tell her that as Britain kicked the European Union in the teeth, telling them that we no longer needed them, why should the EU give Britain any assistance in cherrypicking the advantages it has spurned from its membership with regards to security?

The bigoted attitude of Leavers is bringing about the destruction of safeguards that ensure Britain’s future economically, culturally and socially. May and her big-headed, unwise foreign secretary Boris Johnson make a disastrous political duo. Along with David Davis they are a trio of poor Brexit negotiators and have damaged Britain’s former reputation for diplomatic expertise and common sense.

Betty Davies
Nottingham

GP-patient relationships are especially important for those with learning disabilities

With the recent study revealing that seeing the same GP over time lowers death rates, the importance of the relationship between a GP and patient cannot be ignored any longer. But what is overlooked time and time again is the importance of this unique relationship if you have a learning disability.

On average, women with a learning disability die 29 years younger than the general population, and men with a learning disability die 23 years younger, generally from preventable causes.

For people with learning disabilities, establishing a relationship with a trusted GP who they can have open and honest conversations with can make all the difference. But with GPs increasingly pressured and taking up to 70 appointments a day, it can often be a lottery which GP patients are able to see.

From speaking to people with learning disabilities we know that they are 30 per cent less likely to feel listened to by their GP compared to the general population, and only half feel involved in decisions about their healthcare.

When they are passed from GP to GP, who aren’t receiving the right support to make reasonable adjustments to their needs, conversations break down and it becomes far more likely that health issues will go undiagnosed and untreated.

Technological innovation is not an all-encompassing solution. 59 per cent of GPs say that communication issues stop them meeting the needs of people with learning disabilites.

The government must recognise the urgent need to support our GPs to provide reasonable adjustments for patients with learning disabilities. Where possible, patients should have access to the same GP to support the best health outcomes. Where it’s not possible, all GPs should receive training and support to better and more confidently communicate and diagnose health issues.

This will go a long way towards beginning to address the startling health and life expectancy inequality that people with learning disabilities currently face.

Alicia Wood, head of public affairs at Dimensions
London, WC1N

A good reason to have the royals?

I really hope that Munjed Farid al Qutob’s optimism regarding the outcome of Prince William’s visit to Israel/Palestine is not as unlikely as it seems to me, but “will bring to politicians the message that a viable and sustainable political settlement is the only way forward to alleviate human suffering, economic harshness and political animosity” (Letters).

As an unexpected consequence it could give a valid reason for the existence of the royals.

Eddie Dougall
Bury St Edmunds

Supermarket protest

As I ate my breakfast of freshly cut seasonal temperate and tropical fruit this morning, I finally snapped.

The strawberries looked good but were tasteless; the plums were sour; the nectarines were under-ripe. Yes, the pineapple and mango came up to expectation, but this was a lucky occasion because it’s always pot luck whether it’ll be a good or disappointing experience. The same goes for tomatoes – who can guarantee a taste that those of us who are past our prime can recall as one of the great pleasures?

All this led me to ask, yet again, what has happened? And who to blame? My thoughts turned to plant breeders, but these are surely being driven by growers? There again, the growers are being driven by retailers and my early morning angst drifted notionally into our supermarkets where shelf-life and looks might be regarded as more important than customer satisfaction.

I’d like to think we can vote with our feet. But the supermarkets have a stranglehold on the majority of supply. Perhaps the supermarkets could provide tasting samples to overcome the fact that the ubiquitous plastic packaging prevents customers from knowing what they’ve bought before returning home?

Tasting would allow decision making in-shop and a consequent drop-off in sales might push retailers to do better, giving more weight to taste and less to looks? Does anyone want to join me in my gripe? Or should we stick only to grapes?

Ian Reid
Kilnwick

Hot on the highway

The recent heatwave has proved to be a bonus for local councils. With the roads melting in the summer sun it would appear the potholes are filling themselves.

D Leddy
Surrey