Dear Sir,
Following your columnist Angie Guerrero’s exhortation I have finally registered to vote in Majorca. I am a long standing expat but have always taken the view that since I know little about local politics I should leave voting to my fellow Spanish residents. I am sure that there must be many expats in a similar position. There are however many issues coming to the boil, many raised by your columnists and correspondents, which will be of concern to expats. Many resident expats have contributed capital, time and expertise over the years to the development of tourism and the property and nautical sectors in Majorca. Whilst some of the results do not receive universal acclaim few can deny the contributions made to the Majorcan economy. As we hear almost daily of the efforts to alienate tourists, property owners and nautical charter operators it is perhaps time for expats to exercise their rights to vote.
Can we count on the MDB news hound Humphrey Carter to interview all relevant candidates in the upcoming European elections and to INVITE their views on issues of particular interest to the expatriate community.
My best wishes,
Geoff Williamson
Dear Sir,
The European Justice Commissioner says that expatriates, like me, are being “punished” and rendered “second class citizens” because we cannot vote in a British general election if we have been abroad for more than 15 years, which is my case. (Majorca Daily Bulletin, 30 January, 2014) I pay tax in Spain, but not in Britain, I have property in Spain, but not in Britain, so I do not have a lot of interest in voting when the next British general election is held.
I remember from my American history lessons, the slogan, “No taxation without representation.” Despite being a taxpayer here, I have no representation in the Spanish parliament, because I cannot vote in national elections, which I feel is contrary to the original principles of the European Union. I am definitely a second class citizen and look forward to the day when I can use my vote in elections, the results of which will affect me and my family. Shouldn’t the right to vote depend on residence and fiscal obligations?
And while on the subject of voting, why should Scottish expats, who are resident in Spain, be able to vote in the forthcoming referendum?
(Scottish expats in danger of being left out in the cold by independence... Majorca Daily Bulletin, 30 January, 2014) People who live in the rest of the UK, who are more likely to be affected by a ‘yes’ vote, will have no say, so why should Scottish residents in Spain get preferential treatment?
Yours faithfully,
George Tunnell, C’as Català No
Dear Sir,
I would like to reply to the letter in today’s edition of the MDB (30/1/14). Although I agree with some of the points your reader makes I would like to make a couple of points of my own. That the Arab world in general and perhaps the Palestinians in particular have been cursed with weak and corrupt leaders there is no doubt yet that is no excuse for the injustice and inhumane treatment meted out to them by the Israeli ‘democracy’ in the name of peace or security. I agree with his view that far sighted and decent leaders need to appear on the scene but would suggest they need to appear on both sides, for Israel’s actions to deny people their rightful lands will never lead to peace. The Israeli ploy to usually announce a new drive to build new settlements on occupied land if some development in the ‘peace’ process doesn’t meet with their approval, apart from appeasing their own hard-line right wing zealots, only hardens each sides’ stance, a case of one step forward, two back.
I agree that Israel certainly has the trappings of a democracy, what with free elections, free press, etc., yet with it’s settlements, punitive security laws, pass books, internment without trial, collective punishments and selective assassinations I suggest they have more in common with the old apartheid regimes of South Africa.
Finally, Mr Ash. I do read his column with interest and although I find I disagree with him more times than not yet I understand that he is giving an opinion and we are all entitled to that. I fear I would be labelled as a Left Wing loony Guardianista by him and his ilk, (actually I don’t fear it at all) but realise he has to take a certain literary license to make his column enjoyable and interesting and it often is. However, I find the whole tone a bit bombastic, he needs to get over himself.
Sincerely,
Steve Humphries,
Magalluf
Dear Sir,
Your unidentified correspondent, (Thursday Letter), provided, almost for the first time that I can recall, a cogent, well-reasoned argument in support of Hugh Ash’s eminent analysis, of the intractable Israel/Palestinian problem.
For too many years, the Guardinistic Left, has berated Israel for its alleged ‘oppression’ of Palestinians, in spite of the fact that many Arabs who live within Israel’s borders enjoy the same democratic rights as its own citizens, something unobtainable in the Arab States surrounding Israel.
Notwithstanding all the antagonism engendered over the years, it seems obvious, that a solution can be brokered by Mr. Kerry. This involves both sides to state, once and for all, that the Arabs accept Israel as a bona fide member of the United Nations, while Israel agrees to accept a Palestinian State, both with secure borders in return.
I know this will entail a great deal of effort, but surely the benefits of a stable Middle East are worth it.
Yours Sincerely,
Phil Green ,
El Toro