Latest news with #MetroTalk
Metro
13 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
A whole lot of monkey business! Readers discuss gorilla costume clad dad
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Regarding your story about the dad who dressed up as a gorilla to collect his daughter from school (Metro, Tue). I think the world's gone mad. The school governors appear to have had a sense of humour bypass. He did it for a joke. As for the other parents who were allegedly concerned, I cannot see how this is a safety issue. What with this and the 12-year-old girl being removed from a diversity class for wearing a Union Jack dress last week, I just think schools are becoming too serious at times. Kim Redding, Hornchurch Chris Napthine says he has had lots of messages of support after being reprimanded for dressing up in a gorilla outfit outside a school, with people asking, 'What on earth is this country coming to?' Well, what I want to know is what on earth was he thinking of, putting on a gorilla suit in the middle of a sweltering summer? Surely there are a multitude of other ways he could have achieved his goal. Nonetheless, I'm glad that he had the sense to remove the mask at the school so that the school were well aware it was him – otherwise they may well have thought that a gorilla had driven up to the school, parked the car, removed its seatbelt and closed the door behind him when getting out. Dec, Essex I fully support the school on the gorilla costume fallout and feel that their response has nothing to do with being 'woke' – as the dad, Mr Napthine, suggests. He just sounds like an attention-seeker to me. I can well imagine he is the village 'comedian'. Steve, Staplehurst Well done gorilla man, you got your five minutes of fame. But this isn't the school being woke, it's about being considerate to all the other children at that school. Jane, London Chris Napthine got his moment in the spotlight with his tale of woe after turning up to collect his daughter dressed as a gorilla (as you do). He also perfectly exemplified the casual, misinformed use of the word 'woke', applying it to mean a perceived overreaction to his own odd behaviour rather than what it actually means. He then threw a perfect lack of understanding of trans issues into the mix, with his observation of how 'a kid can identify as a cat but a dad can't dress up as a gorilla'. I would suggest that some self-reflection on Chris's part, regarding his own lack of accountability and awareness, might be more fitting before running to the papers trying to gain sympathy for his unusual behaviour catching up with him. David, Birmingham Re the fuss over Superman being woke (MetroTalk, Tue), I like to think 'woke' means 'not racist'. Ergo if you are not woke… Separately, thanks for giving Nigel Farage's Reform plans a brief outline (Metro, Tue). These preposterous plans are unfunded, unenforceable and a bit silly. Imagine trying to send our criminals to El Salvador? I did chortle. Neil Dance, Birmingham Regarding Southern Water boss Lawrence Gosden's 'outrageous' pay rise (Metro, Mon). If this represents 'common industry practice' then that, to me anyway, is rewarding failure. Nice work if you can get it. John, Langley I was disappointed to read the article about Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss saying the show is not for 'grumpy old' fans (Metro, Fri). As a bit of a 'Whovian' who has watched just about every episode there has been since 1963, I would like to think the show is for everyone, from seven to 70 (and beyond), not just for the woke, trendy few. Perhaps viewing figures might improve if there were more Daleks and Cybermen etc. Come on BBC, realise what a good family show it should be. John Coyne, Leeds Being marooned at home for weeks following a cardiac arrest in June, I was delighted to enjoy the Metro – supplied courtesy of Brighton and Hove buses – when I attended the local hospital for a vital cardiac consultation last Friday. What a super newspaper the Metro is. Handy-sized, with news, politics, world, technology, kids stuff, puzzles, sport and such fascinations as Guilty Pleasures, travel and entertainment – and all this in glorious colour. It is phenomenal for a freebie. As an impoverished pensioner I ask myself who really needs a paid-for paper when the Metro is so comprehensive, colourful and complete? Well done team Metro – long may it continue. Keith Jago, Brighton I had to laugh reading Monday Metro's Today in History. In 1904, the 4,607 miles of the Trans Siberian railway was completed after 13 years. More Trending It was built across great steppes, rivers, mountains, forests and marshes – many uncharted and often frozen by snow and ice. It was an extraordinary achievement for the engineers of the day. Meanwhile, this nation of ours, having invented the railway, cannot even build a 140-mile connection across gentle countryside – and six years after construction began, it is reported that not even a single mile of track has yet been laid for HS2. Yet many companies, consultancies and advisers have made an absolute mint in fees and profits from HS2. It is just a shame they never made an actual railway. Peter, London MORE: TikTok fave beauty brand finally hits UK stores — and everything is under £15 MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Going on holiday? We've found the luxe looking swimwear set to rival Monday Swimwear
Metro
2 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Should the voting age be lowered or raised and what about a top limit?
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Regarding Labour's announcement that the voting age will be lowered from 18 to 16 for the next general election (Metro, Fri). The young are more invested in the future of this country than voters in their 70s or 80s because they are the ones who will have to live with the consequences of political decisions made in the here and now. A great many of them are far more attuned to the challenges facing our nation and our planet. Age doesn't necessarily bring wisdom. Those who were stirred up by rabble-rousers on social media and went on to riot in the streets last year – burning libraries and looting shops – were by and large in their 20s, 30s and 40s. More pertinent, surely, would be to consider placing an upper age limit on voting, given that many in their twilight years will no longer have full command of their mental faculties and may tend to vote for more selfish reasons. It is said that voters tend to become more right-wing as they grow older and, as was amply illustrated by Brexit, this is often because they haven't thought through the implications of any political changes, since they are unlikely to have to contend with them. Encouraging people to participate in politics from an earlier age can only be a good thing. A great many of those who complain about politicians today don't even bother to vote, feeling they can't make a difference or that the outcome will have little effect upon them. Apathy is the enemy of social cohesion – an engaged population is good for the health of the nation. Julian Self, Wolverton I was absolutely sickened when I heard Sir Keir Starmer is allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote! Before last year's general election, he promised that if Labour won, he would grant the vote to EU nationals with settled status, who – unlike youth – contribute (or have contributed) to the economy of this country through their skills and taxes. I have lived in this country for more than 40 years and have a sound knowledge of the political, economic, security and defence issues it is facing. Is that the case with 16-year-olds? Thanks, Starmer, for breaking your promise and continuing to treat more than three million people as second-class citizens. This is a very strange and unfair concept of democracy! Marie-Claire Orton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, A Frustrated EU National Lowering the voting age to 16 is just another clutching-at-straws idea by a poor government that knows it will be voted out. The age should be raised to 21. There are so many things you are not allowed to do until you are even 18, such as leave education, so at least have a few years in the adult world before being allowed to make a decision about who runs the country – because at 16 your choices will be misguided. RCG, Bishop's Stortford Regarding the pair jailed for felling the Sycamore Gap tree (MetroTalk, Thu), they should be released as soon as it grows back to its former size. Our new neighbour has bulldozed all their plants and trees to make way for concrete extensions, outbuildings and a patio – all legal. No one speaks up for these well-established plants and trees. Mity, London I'd like to join Terry McCranor (MetroTalk, Fri) in raising a glass in toasting Rob Buckhaven's column on 'Why it's cool to chill red wine'. The British hospitality trade needs all the help it can get and this article should be flagged up on your website for months. That would allow diners and pub-goers to point to it when commenting or challenging restaurateurs and landlords about the temperature of red wine. More Trending Most staff have no idea about wine, or the best serving temperature, and pour red wine from bottles on shelves behind the bar. Perhaps a future column might include four cut-out business card-size summaries of it, so readers can pass them on to the food and drink emporiums they visit. Supermarkets and leading wine merchants must help, too, by insisting winemakers include relevant advice about red wine temperature on the back label. Warm red wine is horrible and unlikely to result in a repeat order from discerning customers. Lester May, Camden Town MORE: Don't expect water bills to stop rising after we overhaul sector, minister warns MORE: Who's next for Oleksandr Usyk? Joseph Parker could get his shot but a third fight with Tyson Fury cannot be ruled out MORE: Charli XCX and new husband George Daniel celebrate wedding with wild afterparty
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Should the Sycamore Gap duo be given a planting punishment? Readers discuss
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. It seems obvious to me but wouldn't it have been fitting if Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers – the pair who felled the Sycamore Gap tree (Metro, Wed) – were given the additional punishment of each planting 1,000 new trees, on top of each being jailed for four years and three months? Up first thing in the morning and work them all day until their backs ache and they are sick of the sight of trees, grass and soil. I read that Glastonbury organisers intend to plant new trees next year, with the festival being rested. So where better a place to send them? Dec, Essex Sculptor Charlie Whinney, who has created an installation from a 6ft section of the Sycamore Gap tree, suggests people hug it as an act of remembrance (Metro, Fri). Rather than that, could we not have an annual wringing of the necks of the perpetrators? Howard, Devizes The Sycamore Gap tree chaps got hefty custodial sentences. What if they'd sawn an animal in pieces? They'd have got a slap on the wrists. The mild sentences animal abusers are given shows the contempt judges have for animals. Why is a tree more precious than an animal? Alan Meadowcroft, Oldham Constance Marten – found guilty with partner Mark Gordon of killing their new-born baby while on the run – has a trust fund of £2.4million but gets £600,000 of legal aid (Metro, Tue). Can someone please explain how this is possible. Mr A Bowman, Derby I agree with Alfie Mullin (MetroTalk, Tue) when he says e-bikes are a menace in London parks. He suggests that riders should have a licence to ride them. The thing is, any amount of legislation is worthless if it is not policed. Maybe the Met Police could concentrate on actual physical, harmful crime, rather than tweets and perceived 'emoti-crimes' for the hurt feelings of the feeble. Tony Cooper, Bognor Regis Migel (MetroTalk, Wed) suggests a plutocracy of 'philanthropist-capitalists' would be better running the planet than a democracy on the basis that majority decisions do not always prove correct. But what if I don't agree with what the plutocrats propose? Why should the plan of a small group of people be automatically deemed the best for the whole population? What if they decide to use their power to enslave everybody? Or to get rid of the elderly? Democracy isn't without its drawbacks but at the moment it is the best we have. As well as Brexit, Migel points to the fact the audience often got it wrong when asked on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Managing a society is much more nuanced than picking the right answer out of four options. Michal Piwowarek, Dewsbury Regarding Donald Trump's threat of 100 per cent tariffs on countries buying Russian exports, including oil and gas. Japan has been buying gas from Russia's Sakhalin-2 field since 2009. The Sakhalin-2 field is two oil and gas platforms operating off Sakhalin Island, offshored 50m deep in the Sea of Okhtosk. So, will Trump place 100 per cent tariffs on Japanese goods entering the US? Malco, Chislehurst How can £650million of government money for grants of up to £3,750 to assist buying electric cars worth up to £37,000 be fair to the average taxpayer? More Trending It's going to cause further division between the haves and the have-nots. Molly Neville, Sheffield Thames Water blames poor finances on an increase in sewage spills caused by higher-than-usual rainfall, yet has just announced a hosepipe ban due to lower-than-average rainfall (Metro, Wed). The company should be used as a sample case to teach students at business universities how not to run a business. Pedro, Hammersmith Did you hear about the farmer who won a Nobel prize? He was outstanding in his field. Colin Monks, Romford MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Which four Labour MPs have been suspended and why? MORE: 'We tried No7's new Pro Artist Weightless Silk Foundation and it really is silky soft'
Metro
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
His opinions 'were miles away from objective reality', readers talk about Tebbit
In MetroTalk: Readers discuss takes on Tebbit, Mexican wave's of humanity and puppet power (Picture: Getty Images) Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Were they truths or just Tebbit's takes? Your report into the death of Tory grandee Norman Tebbit at 94 said 'he spoke his truth' (Metro, Wed). He did not 'speak his truth'. We don't all have our own individual 'truths'. Norman Tebbit spoke his opinion. Like anyone's opinion, including yours or mine, it was a product of a flawed personality, intellectual shortcomings and limited life experience. Tebbit's opinion was certainly not any kind of truth. In many areas his views were miles away from objective reality. Take unemployment as an example – you can't, as he put it, just 'get on your bike and look for work' if you can't work or don't have the means to get to work or there are no jobs that pay the rent. Impressions, views, opinions, feelings – these are not facts. I know I'm stating the obvious but it's far too easy to lose sight of that. I don't mean to sound disrespectful – on the contrary, I can think of no greater tribute to anyone's memory than to learn from their mistakes. I very much hope that when I die, other people will learn from mine. Helen Shaw, Liverpool 'Increasingly unhinged', 'bigoted and angry', reader shares their take on Tebbit Tebbit was a fairly brutal ethno-nationalist who became more bigoted and angry as he aged. This state of mind was no doubt aggravated by the effects of the 1984 IRA bomb attack of the Grand Hotel in Brighton in which his wife, Margaret, was paralysed. This was understandable but it meant his contributions to a discussion on, for example, Northern Ireland or the EU, became increasingly unhinged. He was treated with great respect by the right-wing media but it could be argued that one of his legacies was the disgraceful race riots after the Southport murders. Robert O'Mahony, Lewisham No 'cheap political points' here, reader praises Mexico's response to the Texas floods With more than 160 people missing, the Mexican government have 'done the right thing' in sending 'emergency manpower and essential supplies', says reader (Picture:) After all of Donald Trump's racist smears, insults and threats toward Mexico, you could forgive the Mexican people for holding a grudge against the US president's supporters. So now that floods have hit Texas, deep in the heartlands of Trump country, do Mexicans stand by and watch? No. They've sent emergency manpower and essential supplies and are on the ground saving lives. Instead of scoring cheap political points, the Mexican government is doing the right thing, regardless of the past. I can think of many richer countries that would do well to learn from this example. JWA Caley, St Pancras Spitting image returns, but who's the puppet master of politics? I agree with Dennis in Australia (MetroTalk, Wed) that the return of satirical puppet show Spitting Image on YouTube is good timing. However, it missed out on US president Joe Biden – he was already a puppet who believed in the great American dream, so was always asleep. As for Sir Keir Starmer, well, Donald Trump is always pulling the strings. Henry, London This reader thinks that Donald Trump is the puppet master of Sir Keir Starmer (Picture:) Take the 'thugs' first, reader comments on the Horizon computer scandal Bob Readman (MetroTalk, Thu) asks how much longer must we wait until the top Post Office executives responsible for trying to cover up the Horizon computer scandal are arrested? The first Post Office 'cover-up' employees to be arrested and tried should be the thugs who visited and threatened the sub-postmasters and lied to them individually, saying they were the only people who had faulty accounts. Martin J Phillips, Leeds Are e-bikes motor vehicles? This reader thinks that e-bike riders should require a licence (Picture: Getty Images) It is getting more difficult to relax in London's parks these days. I put this down to what I call 'fake' or 'pretend' cyclists. By that, I mean e-bike riders. They're buzzing all over the place in parks, travelling along paths that are signposted as 'No cycling'. They don't even watch where they are going because they are staring into their phones. The pathways are not safe. The proper cyclists aren't so bad, by which I mean those who use leg power to move bikes. As e-bikes are effectively motor vehicles, e-bike riders should require a licence. Alfie Mullin, West London To the lady on Brewer Street… To the lady walking up Brewer Street in Maidstone on Friday. I pointed out that your child had dropped its bottle. I would like to say thank you for berating me for this fact, especially when you were still calling me names after I was walking up the street (yes, I could still hear you). Paul, Maidstone A suggestion for Steve Steve (MetroTalk, Fri) asks whether it's worth sacrificing his peace of mind to stay informed about current affairs, no matter how angry it makes him. Reading the news and being well-informed is so important. It broadens your horizons and you get to understand how the world works – and much more. I suggest spending as little as 15 minutes discussing the news with a loved one after reading the newspaper. That will help release the tension and make sense of the world together. Mike, Manchester Arrow MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables Arrow MORE: Angry Trump fans burn their MAGA hats over Epstein files mystery
Metro
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Crying for more: readers react to the weepiest film moments list
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. That was a very interesting list of the 'Weepiest film moments of bawl time' (Metro, Fri) – and I wouldn't argue at all. I'm from the older generation though and my own personal pick would simply have to be a Walt Disney movie that was released in 1957, when I was ten-years-old. It was the movie Old Yeller and the scene which made me cry (and many others in the Studio 2 cinema on Oxford Street) came when the young lad Travis (Tommy Kirk) had to shoot his dear dog, after it had caught rabies. I'm sure many others in my age group, the late 70s, will recall that moment, too. The main star in the movie was Fess Parker who many will remember as Davy Crockett. Mike Bondy, London I would say the Samsung weepy movies poll left two films out. Firstly, The Railway Children made by Lionel Jeffries. The scene at the railway station is first class. The camera is slow. The reaction of Jenny Agutter seeing her father and her cry of joy still brings a lump to the throat. Secondly, One Life. This is the story of Sir Nicholas Winton. The scene where he appears on That's Life for the second time is very moving. He discovers that the woman sitting next to him is someone he saved. The actress playing Esther Rantzen asks if there is anyone else in the audience whose life he has saved and for them to stand up. The entire audience stands up. Sir Anthony Hopkins, who is playing Sir Nicholas, stands and looks at the audience. For a brief moment, this really is Sir Nicholas. What makes the scene even more poignant is that every member of the audience is a child or grandchild of the children Sir Nicholas rescued. Chas Kenny, Essex I was surprised to see that Titanic was voted the top tear-jerker finale, as The Notebook was clearly the best. I'm a little old and remember crying at the start of The Last Snows Of Spring when I saw it at the pictures, too. Lorraine Hassan, via email The list of film tear-jerkers is a complete joke. Nothing earlier than 1982 – are any of the voters aware of what came before? I would place the end of Chaplin's City Lights (1931) in the top spot and his Modern Times (1936) not far behind. There's also the magnificent Brief Encounter (1945). How could anyone omit that? And director Leo McCarey's 1937 film Make Way for Tomorrow inspired Orson Welles to declare, 'It would make a stone cry'. Elia Kazan's A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945) pierces the heart with wistful sadness. Then there are foreign language classics: De Sica's gut-wrenching Umberto D of 1952, Fellini's 1954 offering La Strada (that ending gets me every time!), Demy's poignant Umbrellas Of Cherbourg (1964) and Ku-rosawa's haunting Ikiru (1952). The list goes on. How can you compile a rundown of the best movie moments to make you bawl your eyes out if you more or less ignore 70 per cent of cinema history? Maybe some of those in the listing deserve a placing, but certainly not all of them. William Barklam, Kent Charles EL Gilman (MetroTalk, Fri) is wrong to suggest that Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle should be left empty. Both are fully functioning State buildings and have been part of the UKs history for a very long time. More Trending Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the UK's Head of State as the White House is for America's Head of State. He talks of Henry VIII being a monster. What in fact Henry was was the sole leader of England and as such he was personally responsible for the security, peace and prosperity of a whole nation. He had to do everything he could to keep the country together and not let it be split asunder again by rival political and religious groups. We cannot judge a 16th-century absolute monarch by today's idea of what is good or bad behaviour. D Turberman, London I stood in line outside the shop for ages the other day, I was waiting to get my hair cut. Never mind I thought, it's a lovely day for a barber queue. John Coyne, Leeds MORE: 'Surreal' explosion as plane crashes moments after takeoff at Southend Airport MORE: Three in five Brits 'wouldn't even trust Starmer or Farage to watch their bag' MORE: Transfer raid on Manchester City can raise spirits at Nottingham Forest
