Letters, contributions and comments sent in from Post readers this week.

MP Nandy could be answer to revive Labour Party

Dr Leonard Restall B Ed, M Ed (Hons), New Zealand, formerly from Barking, writes:

The political aspirations of MP Lisa Nandy to challenge for the position of leader of the Labour Party is an attempt to bring life back into a party that has suffered, and is at a 'do, or die' condition as stated by her in the recent meeting in the local district.

Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan since 2010 is a smart and vivacious lady, and one of the five nominations receiving the required support to challenge for the leadership position held by Jeremy Corban. She possesses great zeal to have life restored into the Labour Party, and to adopt a 'do' or 'die' attitude by getting out to do something about it.

Her visit to Barking and Dagenham, strong Labour areas, for Labour support, although showing signs of flagging in support, may be the answer to what is needed to revive a 'dying ' party. Only time will tell if this is so.

Recent setbacks irrespective of what political support one has, have left the Labour Party bereft of ideas to be an effective opposition and have opened the pandora's box to find the necessary solution to their falling and failing support. However, this can not be said for the local MPs who have worked tirelessly to maintain vigour and opposition to the existing regime.

It is often said that we 'get' what party or government that we deserve, whoever the 'we' is, but the energy and aspirations of Lisa Nandy indicate that she may want us to 'get' the Labour party by supporting her nomination for the leadership of the Labour Party. By never lacking in zeal and keeping her fervour for the Labour party could produce change.

World Cancer Day fast approaching

Helen Lam, CLIC Sargent, fundraising and engagement manager, London and Middlesex, writes:

I want to let readers know that World Cancer Day 2020 is fast approaching on February 4, which is a great time to raise funds and vital awareness locally for children and young people with cancer.

Cancer doesn't care about your education, your plans, your future. It can turn up at any time. That's why CLIC Sargent is here to stop it destroying young lives.

With your support this World Cancer Day, CLIC Sargent, the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people, can reach more families and help minimise the damage cancer causes to young people. We need volunteers to help collect donations in Stamford Hill and Stratford Morrisons from February 1 - 4, 2020.

Doing bucket collections is fun and rewarding - especially when you do it with friends. Show your support and sign up here: clicsargent.org.uk/WCDVolunteer or call our supporter engagement team who will be happy to help on 0300 330 0803.

You can also make a difference by donating £2 and getting your very own special Band Against Cancer wristband. They come in three limited edition colours and are available from clicsargent.org.uk or your local Morrisons store and JD Wetherspoon pubs.

Making a small donation, wearing your wristband and telling others about it is such an easy way to start a conversation on the impact cancer has on young people and their families. I hope that everyone gets behind this and we see the bands all over town!

Shipmates reunited

Mike Crowe, RN Shipmates, writes:

Regular readers to the opinion columns of this newspaper, will recall the insertion of a letter of mine, explaining the camaraderie of those who had served in the Royal Navy. I explained that this could be re-lived at the various reunions held around the country and that these were listed on the rnshipmates.co.uk site under Reunions.

Well thank you. You have certainly scored and made a lot of ex-servicemen think back again.

They have emailed me on royalnavyreunions@gmail.com and the secretaries of various associations have contacted me; consequence? A lot more reunions have been held and a lot more old shipmates reunited and

re-lived their past experiences!

With Christmas and the New Year celebrations behind us, reunions are again on the agenda, therefore could I ask reunion organisers and secretaries to let me have details of your reunion for listing.

This is a free service and can be done by themselves on rnshipmates.co.uk site under Reunions or by emailing the details to me on royalnavyreunions@gmail.com