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Westminster's bio
I am a retired Accountant living in Surbiton and Worthing, I like classical music, reading, walking, theatre, opera. -
Westminster's latest comments
ViewDate:
24th Feb 2023Westminster commented on:
Should assisted dying be legalised in the UK?Yes, we could start with the so called 'House of Lords'.ViewDate:
3rd Aug 2021Westminster commented on:
Should wolf-whistling become a criminal offence?Who would enforce an anti-wolf whistle law ?ViewDate:
28th Feb 2021Westminster commented on:
Would you support the introduction of immunity certificates?It is imperative to get this Chinese virus under control, and if Immunity Certificates will help, then I am all for them. It is helpful that the Queen has spoken out supporting the vaccination. There is little one can do nowadays without proving ID, or some piece of paper, the certificate would just be one more thing. In time, hopefully this disease will disappear, and everything can get back to how it was.ViewDate:
24th Jan 2021Westminster commented on:
Would you be happy to accept a jab after midnight?It is important to vaccinate as many as possible as quickly as possible. I would get a mini-cab if I had to go during the night. After all, the jab is free,ViewDate:
30th Nov 2020Westminster commented on:
Would you vote to legalise euthanasia?We should be able to choose to die if our medical condition is painful and incurable. Two Doctors independent of the patient should authorise any life ending action.ViewDate:
25th Jul 2020Westminster commented on:
Will you opt for the flu jab this year?I always have the Flu jab, I last had flu in 1999, I never want that experience again.ViewDate:
18th Mar 2020Westminster commented on:
Is it realistic to expect over 70s to remain in their homes for 4 months?I do agree MarilynG7, the so called cure could be worse than the disease.ViewDate:
17th Jan 2020Westminster commented on:
Are Harry and Meghan making the right decision?This is a sad story that will not have a good ending.ViewDate:
2nd Nov 2019Westminster commented on:
Should over 70s be banned from voting on the country's future?I would be willing to forgo my vote if it meant that I didn't pay Income Tax anymore, or Capital Gains Tax.ViewDate:
26th Oct 2019Westminster commented on:
Should smacking children be banned across the UK?A gentle smack may be okay in particular circumstance, but my memories are not of gentle smacks. They are of belts, or anything else that came to hand. Violence against children is wrong, murderers are not beaten, why should defenceless children be ? I think it is better that parents are more patient with their children nowadays.ViewDate:
26th Oct 2019Westminster commented on:
Should 'wolf-whistling' be a crime?This is all nonsense, if a lady/man is offended by a wolf whistle, just ignore it, It is hardly life threatening is it ? It is a compliment to be admired by the opposite sex, but when you are older, just treasured memories.ViewDate:
1st Sep 2019Westminster commented on:
Do you support Boris's decision to suspend Parliament?Boris has merely extended the usual break for the conference season by six days, so what ? Our useless MPs have been debating Brexit for three years, and failed to agree on a deal, so we should just leave without one. Leaving without a deal might concentrate their minds on reaching and agreement if possible with the EU. 'Much ado about nothing' sums up our current MPs.ViewDate:
10th Jul 2019Westminster commented on:
Do you think planning and pre paying for your funeral in advance is a good idea?When my Mother was near death in hospital in 2000 in Northern Ireland, I decided to telephone lot cal Undertakers for quotes for a simple funeral. Some were unwilling to quote on the telephone, and wanted to visit me to explain their services, etc. I eventually found an excellent local company that carried out the funeral for £650, we already owned a burial plot. It pays to shop around.ViewDate:
12th Jun 2019Westminster commented on:
Do you agree with the TV licence changes for over-75s?I think that if you have paid for a TV Licence for 10 years or more, and you are over 75, it should be free. My most preferred option would be though, that the BBC become a subscription service, you pay as you view.ViewDate:
6th Jun 2019Westminster commented on:
Win a £50 Morrisons voucher and treat yourself this summerI would donate the voucher to my local food bank.ViewDate:
31st May 2019Westminster commented on:
Should graduates still be repaying their student loans into their 60s?LianneS In the 1960s and 1970s only around 5% of school leavers went to University. The figure now is 25%, it is simply a question of numbers.ViewDate:
31st May 2019Westminster commented on:
Should graduates still be repaying their student loans into their 60s?I think that students tuition fees could be covered by the Government in exchange for the student signing up to waive their claim to a State Pension for three years or four depending on their course. Successful students usually find pensionable employment so would be able to cope with a few years without the State Pension. Means tested benefits would be available for those who fall by the wayside. My proposal would avoid student debt for fees, and enable graduates to enjoy life more when they are young. I agree with restoring maintenance grants for students who need them.ViewDate:
27th Jan 2019Westminster commented on:
Should there be a specified age to retake your practical driving test?Given that Police cars in high speed chases frequently knock down and kill innocent pedestrians, why all the fuss about elderly drivers ? I do not drive, and I am quite content with the public transport in London, but many seniors in rural areas could be housebound without their cars. Hopefully self-driving cars will soon become the norm, and elderly drivers will be able to use them to get about in ultra safety.ViewDate:
3rd Aug 2018Westminster commented on:
Should men and women have a different pension age?Because of the cost, I predict that in the future Retirement State Pension will only be paid for 20 years, after that it will cease for all except those who have no other income. There could be exceptions of course, those who are disabled, but for the majority it will cease. Such a system would make it irrelevant the age at which you started receiving the pension. A controversial idea, but the world depends on those who can think around corners.ViewDate:
26th Jul 2018Westminster commented on:
Should we have a second EU referendum?We have had a second referendum in 2016, the first one was in 1975.ViewDate:
6th Jul 2018Westminster commented on:
Should cannabis be legalised for recreational use?They allow people to smoke cannabis in certain cafes in Amsterdam. Have the Dutch authorities published any research findings as the effect this has on users ? I am generally against legalising recreational cannabis, but perhaps a trial could be held in a particular area.ViewDate:
5th Jul 2018Westminster commented on:
Would you support the MPs call for over 40s to pay a social care premium?My point was that all age groups use the NHS, and it is wrong to penalize any particular age group. Of course we need live births, and that is why I am pro-life, and against abortion unless there are compelling reasons. Too many women use abortion as a form of birth control, because that is how it was in the country they came from. It would benefit the NHS if we all had to pay towards prescriptions, as in Spain where everyone regardless of income has to pay 10% of the cost of their prescriptions. There is so much waste of prescription medicines in the UK. When my mother died, I found a cupboard full of medicines never used, and friends have told me of similar experiences. Still, all in all, it is good to still be around to say our piece. Best wishes, ElaineViewDate:
4th Jul 2018Westminster commented on:
Would you support the MPs call for over 40s to pay a social care premium?Lionel, you and your wife come first, your children can make their own way.ViewDate:
4th Jul 2018Westminster commented on:
Would you support the MPs call for over 40s to pay a social care premium?A large amount of NHS spending is on maternity services, and abortions. Why penalise the over 40s ?ViewDate:
24th May 2018Westminster commented on:
In 1961, Hull did something extraordinaryIt was the death of Jeff Hall, Birmingham City and England footballer's death from polio in April 1959 that spurred the people of England to seek vaccination.ViewDate:
3rd May 2018Westminster commented on:
Do you think St George’s Day and St David’s should be made national holidays?Northern Ireland has always had St. Patrick's day as a holiday, so why not a holiday for St. George's day and St. David's Day ?ViewDate:
17th Apr 2018Westminster commented on:
Would you be prepared to pay more tax to fund the NHS?Nothing provided by the State is ever going to be top class. Money to the NHS is like throwing money into a bottomless pit. We should copy Germany and France, and have a medical system run by an insurance company on a limited time contract. If the company does not perform up to scratch it can be replaced.ViewDate:
17th Apr 2018Westminster commented on:
Do you still consider overseas travel a good use of your money?Going abroad ia all about change, seeing different places and people. I love England and am fortunate enough to own a seaside flat which is so enjoyable. None of us know how long we have so I say make the most of it, go wherever takes your fancy.ViewDate:
30th Aug 2017Westminster commented on:
Is it time for Trump to go?Obama seemed anti-British in so many of his statements.. I remember his vitriol towards 'British' Petroleum because of the oil leak which was caused by an American contractor. I remember that he tried to interfere in our EU referendum saying that we would be at the back of the line in seeking a trade deal if we left the EU. Trump may not be brilliant, but he is not anti-British.ViewDate:
2nd Jun 2017Westminster commented on:
Who will you vote for in the next General Election?I will vote Conservative, because I want continuity, not revolution. No party is going to satisfy everyone, so you should vote for the party that ticks the most boxes of your requirements. I do hope that after the election and Mrs May wins that Labour will rid themselves of Corbyn. The Labour party has helped poorer people in the past when they were electable with a moderate leader. Thirty years ago, Neil Kinnock got rid of 'Militant Tendency' only for them now to return calling themselves 'Momentum'. Marxist policies have been abandoned by so many countries, we do not need or want them in the UK.ViewDate:
12th May 2017Westminster commented on:
Should the State Pension be means tested?It is important to remember that the State Pension is added to other income to calculate one's income tax, so if a pensioner is paying higher rate tax 40% of the pension is recovered by the Government. The Beveridge report of 1944 determined that benefits that are universally available are more acceptable to society. We do not want different classes of pensioners, the existing system works we, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.ViewDate:
18th Jan 2017Westminster commented on:
Do you ever take an afternoon nap?A short nap after lunch, say 20 minutes seems to invigorate me for the rest of the day.ViewDate:
6th Dec 2016Westminster commented on:
Is BA trying to pull the wool over our eyes?I fly with British Airways six or seven times annually to my house in Tenerife. The food that has been supplied, and given free to passengers is not very good, usually wraps which are cold with minimum content. I would rather pay, and have something worth eating, their free drinks were okay, though. Recently I have flown Club Class, and the food is excellent with free drinks, lots of sucking-up, well worth the extra cost.ViewDate:
6th Dec 2016Westminster commented on:
Should shops remain closed on Boxing Day?Boxing Day as it called in the UK is actually Saint Stephen's Day as it is known in Ireland. Saint Stephen was the first christian martyr, and we should honour his day. There are plenty of days for shopping, and for those who are totally non-religious there is internet shopping. It is also better for shop workers that they have a two day break with their loved ones.ViewDate:
17th Oct 2016Westminster commented on:
Do city zoos still have a place in a modern society?Zoos are just animal prisons. Animals should be allowed to live in the wild as God intended, not used for entertainment by bored humans.ViewDate:
5th Sep 2016Westminster commented on:
Do you support the Junior Doctor's latest planned 5 day strike?Firstly, it is a misnomer to call these Doctors Junior, Hospital Doctors would be a more accurate title as many of them have 15 years or more service. As to the dispute, many do want to work weekends as part of their contract as it is far more lucrative to do locum work at the weekend either for the NHS or a private hospital. Their average salary is around £60,000 per annum plus overtime so they are not exactly the needy in society. Their contracts should forbid strike action in a similar way to the Police and Prison officers. I fear becoming really ill, so I subscribe to BUPA who operate in a strike free environment.ViewDate:
14th May 2016Westminster commented on:
Should attendance rate be considered when fining parents who take children out of school in term time?I suspect that many teachers only regret the fact that some children return from their term time holidays !ViewDate:
12th May 2016Westminster commented on:
Should it be legal to require females to wear high heels at work?The rules should be the same for men and women. People should wear formal shoes to the office, not flip flops, sandals, trainers, or anything open toed. There is no need for women to wear heels higher than those on walking shoes. Of course all this publicity is to attempt to further the career of some would-be actress !ViewDate:
1st May 2016Westminster commented on:
Barometer Survey shows the over 50s have strong views about BrexitWe should consider the ramifications of remaining in the EU. Turkey, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania are all likely to join the EU in the next few years. That means that another 127 million people would have the right to come to the UK. Now, even if only 1% come to the UK, that is another 1.27 million people who will require housing, health-care, welfare benefits, schools for their children, etc. We are overcrowded already, we need to control our borders, and have a breathing space from the mass migration we have experienced in recent years. Many migrants work hard, and contribute, but we cannot accommodate the world.ViewDate:
10th Apr 2016Westminster commented on:
Should the government be spending tax payers money on EU Leaflets with a one sided view?The Eurozone is disintegrating, Italian, French, and now Spanish Banks are in dire straits. It is only the Chinese who are propping up th euro. Vote Leave, and we will run our country ourselves. -
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