Avril Swift
Get in touch
The Big Issue, 2nd floor, 43 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 1HW letters@bigissue.com @bigissue /bigissueUK @bigissueuk @thebigissue
The bark side
Dogs are better behaved [Issue 1601, 5 February] and more intelligent than most governments.
Jonathan Broadhurst
Big Bird
I read with a mixture of emotions John Bird’s letter in issue 1600 [29 January]. Joy because he is celebrating his 78th year and is still fit and well, humour/sadness in terms of his references to his relationship with his mother, anger at the magazine reporter criticising The Big Issue and humour in his use of words – “defenestrating that stuff takes a lifetime”.
A very happy birthday to a great man and a real credit to the House of Lords.
Nick Rodgers
Dear John, Wishing you a very happy 78th birthday and many more years of health, happiness and good work. You are a great inspiration to everyone, lords and homeless people, rich and poor, you treat all with dignity and respect. You have been a wonderful champion for the poor, challenging unfair structures and governments. Long may this continue.
I hope you have a lovely celebration on your birthday and thank you for all the marvellous achievements you have made, especially setting up The Big Issue and continuing to support it despite your busy time in the House of Lords.
Marie Pennell
Screening reminder
Caroline in Richmond, please don’t throw away your bowel screening kit [Issue 1601]! It’s not invasive, just involves a tiny sample of your poo sent off to be tested for early signs of bowel cancer.
This disease kills around 16,800 people a year in the UK, more than breast or prostate cancer.
Stephanie Calman, London
Strength in numbers
Many people joined the poll tax demonstrations and won against Thatcher and her government. But why aren’t people having demonstrations about how our social services and the NHS have been deliberately run into the ground over the last 14 years? Why have so many youth clubs, swimming baths and libraries closed? Why have food banks rocketed in that time? Why are many people unable to heat their homes and eat as well? Why has homelessness gone through the roof, with people driven from their homes by no-fault evictions? Why has our society been broken?
I’m sure many people would join such a demonstration, but it needs a well-known organisation, or a celebrity to organise this. I’d be happy to join the protest demonstration, but I can’t do it on my
