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‘Mark my words – I was right about Boris, and now predict Farage will one day be PM’

‘Mark my words – I was right about Boris, and now predict Farage will one day be PM’

Secret Thinker was ridiculed when he predicted in 2005 that Boris Johnson would one day become PM - and now he has a similar hunch about Nigel Farage.

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‘As the first flake fell, every child prayed their school would close’

‘As the first flake fell, every child prayed their school would close’

We had a paltry sprinkling of snow this week – but back in the day we got no weather warnings; as kids we just prayed our schools would shut.

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‘You pray for the night they sleep through – then can’t stop checking on them’

‘You pray for the night they sleep through – then can’t stop checking on them’

Your child’s first night in their own room is nerve-wracking, as our columnist has been discovering.

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'Schools nowadays just teach conformity for the needs of the economy'

'Schools nowadays just teach conformity for the needs of the economy'

The education system, the Israeli-Hamas war and 20mph speed limits are some of the topics tackled in this week’s letters to the editor.

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‘There’s nothing wrong with having faith – but no one should foist their beliefs on others’

‘There’s nothing wrong with having faith – but no one should foist their beliefs on others’

With religion being used as an excuse for war and atrocities, Secret Thinker explains why he’s happy to remain a non-believer.

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‘Gone is the Argos catalogue – the teens now have gift registry apps’

‘Gone is the Argos catalogue – the teens now have gift registry apps’

In 2022 our columnist boldly declared her dislike for Christmas Eve boxes but now she says the internet is serving up a fresh slice of festive horror.

Bah humbug! Why I'm not putting up any Christmas decorations

Bah humbug! Why I'm not putting up any Christmas decorations

Comparing himself to the Grinch or Scrooge, our reporter explains why tinsel or baubles will never tarnish his home.

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‘How do they justify a 118% rise in my car insurance premium?’

‘How do they justify a 118% rise in my car insurance premium?’

Our aged columnist’s car insurance premium has gone through the roof – but a recent experience may explain why we’re all feeling the pain.

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'Eating meat is natural? So is syphillis, tsunamis, volcanoes and smallpox – nature is often ghastly’

'Eating meat is natural? So is syphillis, tsunamis, volcanoes and smallpox – nature is often ghastly’

There’s talk of adding warning labels to meat, but Melissa Todd doubts the prospect of death and destruction will win against the smell of bacon...

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‘Bringing Cameron back was a brilliant move – we need quality politicians, not half-hearted snowflakes’

‘Bringing Cameron back was a brilliant move – we need quality politicians, not half-hearted snowflakes’

The cabinet reshuffle, homelessness, 20mph zones and lessons about conflict are among topics tackled in this week’s letters to the editor.

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‘A minister for common sense? What next, a minister for funny walks?’

‘A minister for common sense? What next, a minister for funny walks?’

Appointing a government minister to combat ‘wokeness’ is ludicrous, says Secret Thinker, who argues the whole cabinet should be using common sense.

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‘It’s 2023 – young people should be paid on ability or experience and not their age’

‘It’s 2023 – young people should be paid on ability or experience and not their age’

More adults than ever still live at home so why, asks our columnist, does the UK still insist on paying a National Living Wage based on age?

‘I learned more from part-time jobs than I would have at uni’

‘I learned more from part-time jobs than I would have at uni’

Our columnist reflects on how he’d not swap a diverse range of part-time jobs when he was young for a stint at university.

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‘Anyone who believes a glorious future awaits us with AI is either very rich or gullible’

‘Anyone who believes a glorious future awaits us with AI is either very rich or gullible’

The rise of AI, the scarcity of poppies, SEN transport and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are all topics tackled on this week’s letters page.

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‘Stop dragging out the smoking ban – naysayers will comply eventually’

‘Stop dragging out the smoking ban – naysayers will comply eventually’

Should the Government be able to dictate how we live our lives? Yes, says Secret Thinker, as he urges the PM to fast-track plans to outlaw smoking.

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‘20mph zones might restore calm but not the attitudes towards children playing outside’

‘20mph zones might restore calm but not the attitudes towards children playing outside’

After road-testing 20mph, low-traffic neighbourhoods our columnist declares it calmer but questions if it’s enough to encourage children out to play?

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‘Will Rishi’s Cameron curveball sway any voters?’

‘Will Rishi’s Cameron curveball sway any voters?’

The election clock is ticking – but political editor Paul Francis questions whether the Tories have left it too late to halt their slide in the polls.

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‘Isn’t it better veterans are today replaced by children?’

‘Isn’t it better veterans are today replaced by children?’

Attitudes towards veterans have changed dramatically over the past 40 years – as has the make-up of Remembrance Day parades.

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‘The first hint that something might be wrong is the peace and quiet’

‘The first hint that something might be wrong is the peace and quiet’

Emotions run high when your child becomes ill for the first time – as our parenting columnist has been discovering.

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