'From the very first days of this clueless government, Rayner was held up as a kind of poster girl for the working classes' - Your Letters: September 10

Former Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner has, from the very first days of this clueless government, been held up as a kind of poster girl for the working classes.

In many ways the language used by her own party has been patronising in the extreme to both her and the class she is supposed to represent. Intending to be pats on the back, Starmer has merely succeeded, by constantly showering Rayner with platitudes about the success she has had ‘despite her background’, in reinforcing the idea of the working classes as useless non-aspirational non-achievers – ie Rayner is an exception to the rule.

As for Rayner herself, she has succeeded, and in spades, of reinforcing the idea of the social climber as someone who rushes straight to sink their snouts into the trough!

Alan Jones, West Midlands

FLAG FLYING IS JUST BELITTLING 

Do we really want all these Union Flags and flags of England flying from halfway up lampposts around the towns and villages in Shropshire? I realise the idea is to display feelings of patriotism but personally I think it does just the opposite. It belittles the national emblem. Our national flag is currently flown on an occasional basis such as royal birthdays and special days such as St George’s Day therefore we see it now and again and therefore it makes an impression on most people, but to see them permanently flying unceremoniously on lampposts and telegraph poles belittles something that is inherently important to most of us.

More importantly however is, if you are going to fly flags in this way then the least you can do is fly them the correct way up! All Union Flags around the Meole Brace roundabout in Shrewsbury are upside down which is the ultimate insult you can bestow on a national emblem. When flown properly, the wider diagonal white stripe should be above the narrow red stripe in the upper corner of the flag nearest the flagpole. If the narrow red stripe is above the wider white stripe in this segment, then the flag is upside down.

Stuart Poucher, Shrewsbury

RULES BROKEN ON CAR PARK FEES

I have been reading letters in the Star regarding parking and card only payments. 

These councils need to look closely at the Equality Act 2010 that the government brought into force.

I was on some of the training as it was coming in. 

These councils are the government, and yet it appears they are breaking their own ruling, so it is discriminating against some disabled people who are unable to use cards because of their disability and can only use cash.

Therefore, may I suggest councils and also some private car parks are breaking the rules.

So why aren’t they getting fined? 

Of course they are the government and they do what they like. 

It is disgraceful.

Carol Prince, Craven Arms

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