{"id":789,"date":"2025-07-08T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/?p=789"},"modified":"2025-08-05T21:07:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T21:07:04","slug":"readers-discuss-royal-value-road-rules-seagulls-and-spitting-image","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/08\/readers-discuss-royal-value-road-rules-seagulls-and-spitting-image\/","title":{"rendered":"Readers discuss royal value, road rules, seagulls and Spitting Image"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"Trooping\t<\/div>
In MetroTalk: Readers discuss the value of the Royals, memories of 7\/7, welfare reform and the return of Spitting Image (Picture: Chris Jackson\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Do you agree with our readers?\u00a0Have your say on these\u00a0MetroTalk<\/a>\u00a0topics and more in the comments.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tMeasuring the monarchy \t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Charles (MetroTalk, Mon<\/a>) doesn\u2019t seem to understand that the value of the Royal Family<\/a> isn\u2019t a question of how much we spend on it per head of population, as compared to what the Irish spend on \u2028their president.<\/p>\n

The value of the Royal Family<\/a> is measured not only in helping to promote Britain as a historic tourist destination to the rest of the world but in the soft power the Royal Family provide when helping ministers and businesspeople to promote Britain as a place to invest in.<\/p>\n

Both can be measured in billions of pounds to the British economy<\/a> \u2013 for which they have far greater influence and prestige in the world than the president of Ireland<\/a>. So his simple measure of cost per head of population entirely misses the point, as the Royal Family\u2019s comparative value to the economy<\/a> far outweighs the cost and represents great value for money. Paul, London<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

‘The terrorists failed to intimidate’, reader reminds us of London’s ‘indominable spirit’ <\/h2>\n

It was right to mark the 20th anniversary of the 7\/7 London suicide bombings<\/a> (Metro, Tue), which killed 52 people and injured nearly 800 \u2013 some permanently maimed.<\/p>\n

I still count myself fortunate that it was not my Tube train carriage that was blown apart that morning.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s recognise the stoicism and indomitable spirit of London commuters<\/a>. \u2028It was they who generally kept calm, giving first aid or reassurance to the badly wounded and fellow commuters before the arrival of the emergency services.<\/p>\n

The terrorists failed to intimidate, as we continued to use the Tube and buses to go about our work and daily lives. <\/p>\n

Onwards and upwards, London commuters. Jonathan, South-West London<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tGot a question about UK politics?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Send in yours and Metro’s Senior Politics Reporter Craig Munro will answer it in an upcoming edition of our weekly politics newsletter<\/a>. Email alrightgov@metro.co.uk<\/a> or submit your question here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\"The\t<\/div>
On the 20th anniversary of 7\/7, readers reflect on the event and remind us of the strength of our communities.(Picture: Chris Jackson\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Remembering 7\/7<\/h2>\n

On its 20th anniversary<\/a> it was wholly right that Metro covered the dreadful and tragic events of 7\/7.<\/a><\/p>\n

I was working in London at the time \u2028and I can recall that the shock felt by everyone was palpable.<\/p>\n

Such a horrendous event was in terrible contrast to the day before, when hundreds of us gathered in Trafalgar Square<\/a> to celebrate London winning the vote to hold the 2012 Olympic Games<\/a>. HG, Maidstone<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘U-turns and dilly-dallying wont satisfy anyone’, says reader <\/h2>\n

Regarding Labour\u2019s watered-down welfare reforms,<\/a> Pedro (MetroTalk, Mon) <\/a>asks why there is so much fuss about government U-turns and climbdowns, adding that isn\u2019t it a good thing we finally have a government that listens to people?<\/p>\n

Such views are the reason why this country is spiralling into a benefit mess<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The government must stay strong in its commitment to cut down the fiscal gap and to adopt strong measures. <\/p>\n

These U-turns and dilly-dallying won\u2019t satisfy anyone or the country in any way. Inbaraj, Harrow<\/strong><\/p>\n

How to protest against protesting <\/h2>\n

Steve in Hackbridge (MetroTalk, Tue) <\/a>says that he wants to organise a protest about protesting because so many demonstrations are being held.<\/p>\n

I would love to take part and I have a nice chant: \u2018What do we want?\u2019, \u2018No protests\u2019, \u2018When do we want them?\u2019, \u2018Well, not now, obviously.\u2019 Joe, Manchester<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dip-beam directives? <\/h2>\n

Is there any chance the rules of the road<\/a> can be changed to include a mandatory requirement that those on two wheels learn how to find and operate the dip-beam facility on their incandescent \u2013 and seemingly often misaligned \u2013 headlamps? Tony Anderson, Chatham<\/strong><\/p>\n

Are they biblical or on the borderline? <\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\"BRITAIN-MUSIC-OASIS-ROCK\"\t<\/div>
This reader predicts that Oasis will break up again following their performance in Cardiff(Picture: STRINGER\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oasis<\/a> held their first concert in 16 years at Cardiff\u2019s <\/a>Principality Stadium as part of their reunion tour<\/a> \u2013 with some fans of the Gallagher brothers calling the experience \u2018biblical\u2019 \u2028(Metro, Mon<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The only \u2018biblical\u2019 thing about it is the parallel with what Cain said about Abel: \u2018Am I my brother\u2019s keeper?\u2019 I predict that Oasis will break up<\/a> again. Sam, Bristol<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lovers or fighters? Seagull strikes sandwich <\/h2>\n

Billboards asking people to be kind to gulls<\/a> have been put up by the RSPCA <\/a>in Great Yarmouth, stating, \u2018Gulls are lovers not fighters\u2019 (Metro, Tue).<\/a><\/p>\n

The \u2018victimised\u2019 birds are exposed to \u2018extreme cruelty\u2019 every three days, according to the charity. Last time I saw some, they attacked my sandwich and it was their lifestyle choice. <\/p>\n

If they attack my food again, I will ask for them all to be sent to Rwanda. Samuel, Tooting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heading to Edgware Road or Edgware Road? <\/h2>\n

Is it not time that one of the two Edgware Road Tube stations<\/a> was renamed? I suggest the District Line station should be renamed Lisson Grove or even Chapel Town, the medieval name for the area.<\/p>\n

There used to be two stations called Shepherd\u2019s Bush. I had recommended that they be called Shepherd\u2019s Bush Market and Shepherd\u2019s Bush Central but only the former was employed. \u2028Antony Porter, London<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bringing humour to politics – ‘there’s so much material to be ridiculed’, says reader <\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\"UK\t<\/div>
This reader welcomes the return of Spitting Image (Picture: Keith Mayhew\/SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return of the Spitting Image<\/a> show, even on YouTube rather than on regular TV, is a welcome event.<\/p>\n

The puppets brought humour to politics <\/a>and society by highlighting the foibles of so many people who probably didn\u2019t want to be shown that way.<\/p>\n

There is still so much material to be ridiculed, including the Royal Family, <\/a>especially one former member and the uncle no one wants to be seen with.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not always appropriate to point out faults in others or areas to improve, but this show has a long history of doing that so well. Bring it on.<\/p>\n

A return of a well-written Yes Minister\u2028type of comedy-drama would also be appreciated. Dennis Fitzgerald, Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n

What happened to court-ship? <\/h2>\n

Never marry a tennis<\/a> player \u2013 love means nothing to them. Richard Farrar, London<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Comment now<\/title><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text\">What are your thoughts? Have your say in the comments below<\/span><\/span><a class=\"metro-comment-cta__button\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\">Comment Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom-start\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom centered\"><\/section>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom-end\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom centered\"><a class=\"comment-now metro-button metro-comments-cta\" data-vars-position=\"bottom_cta_question\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><title>Comment now<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"comment-now__label\">What are your thoughts? Have your say in the comments below<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In MetroTalk: Readers discuss the value of the Royals, memories of 7\/7, welfare reform and the return of Spitting Image (Picture: Chris Jackson\/Getty Images) Do you agree with our readers?\u00a0Have your say on these\u00a0MetroTalk\u00a0topics and more in the comments. Measuring the monarchy Charles (MetroTalk, Mon) doesn\u2019t seem to understand that the value of the Royal…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=789"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":796,"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789\/revisions\/796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mississaugaoffice.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}