This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:
Despair at Government's breaking of pledges
I despair for our country. This wretched and unelected Coalition Government has broken almost every election manifesto pledge, from the referendum on Europe, crime, tuition fees, immigration and on and on.
And yet it doggedly pursues policies it knows the majority of citizens do not want and did not vote for: marriages in church for gays, ludicrous wind turbines and its pernicious undermining of the Christian faith.
The latest example of this is that some junior Lib-Dem minister has ordered lawyers to oppose the rights of Christian workers to wear the cross at work.
While Christians are banned from displaying the symbol of their faith, this coalition, spurred on doubt Nick Clegg and his bunch of interfering amateurs, grovels to appease minority faiths.
They have criticised various regimes worldwide for not allowing their citizens free speech, yet, with breathtaking hypocrisy, they undermine freedom of speech in this country and brand those who speak out as bigots and racists.
Clegg and Co have far too much influence for their meagre numbers and slippery Cameron goes along with their perverse agenda.
His so-called commitment to equality does not, it seems, extend to Christians. It is grotesque.
John Orgill
Littleover
Gay people should get the respect they deserve
Alan Walker from Stanley Common states that "unless you are gay, you do not command any respect" ("For true Christians, God's law is always God's law", Opinion, March 29). He is "sick and tired of the coverage they get on television and in the papers".
I sincerely wish the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community did command more respect. I wish it was not necessary to continually fight our corner in the media. Mr Walker goes on to say that he has "nothing against gay people".
However, his homophobic interpretation of the Bible gives licence to gay bashers who hang around gay venues looking to enjoy their Saturday night sport.
Many youngsters, who share same-sex attraction, fearing abuse or violence, are afraid to go near these places and continue to be lonely. Mr Walker has no such problem. He will be able to enter and leave his church without any threat of humiliation.
At long last, the equality and diversity efforts of Derby City Council are trying to undo centuries of emotional damage inflicted upon a vulnerable minority. Before the election, Nick Clegg proposed all schools should be required to teach that homosexuality is normal. Some are doing that.
I agree with Mr Walker when he says "enough is enough!" If all gay people "stood up to be counted" they, like Christians, would "gain the respect they deserve!".
Narvel Annable
Dovedale Crescent
Belper
