‘Wokeness in a Jaguar advert? No, it’s just common sense’

Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.

What ‘agendas’ are being pushed exactly?

‘It’s not woke it’s just common sense’
I’m not one for pushing political agendas, and I recognise that happens sometimes, but not every initiative to be inclusive is some political trick.

Ross says he would also be against an agenda to push ‘whiteness’ and a heterosexual lifestyle in places that make no sense.

I would argue that ‘whiteness’ and heterosexuality have been pushed as what is ‘right’ or ‘normal’ for centuries.

People who fit this category have largely had the monopoly on life. All 
that’s happening now is people are acknowledging and celebrating that 
there are many different types of 
people in the world who should also have the right to be themselves and live a decent life.

That’s not ‘woke’ – that’s just common sense. And this message may not be needed in a car commercial but it is needed nonetheless.

Why should only the group of people you identify with be allowed to live a comfortable life? Riyah, London

Does Ipswich Town need a new captain for Rainbow Laces campaign?

‘Not showing support for this campaign is bigoted’
In reply to Az (MetroTalk, Tue),
I appreciate it may have appeared ironic of me to claim the rights of one group (the LGBTQ+ community) over another (those of religious belief).

However, a couple of quick points. I am against bigotry and prejudice, full stop.

Not being prepared to show support for the LGBTQ+ community is bigoted in the same way that refusing to engage with an anti-racism campaign is bigoted.

It doesn’t matter what the reason for this is, whether religious or otherwise.

So many religious people I know don’t care two hoots about someone’s sexuality, so there seems to be significant variation even within religious communities.

It makes me desperately sad that we are still having to have something like the Rainbow Laces campaign. It’s just madness that this is still an issue.

And to be clear, I didn’t mean Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy, who is Muslim, should be stripped of his captaincy – just that he shouldn’t be captain during the Rainbow Laces campaign and instead hand the rainbow armband to someone who would be happy to wear it. Kate, via email

‘If a captain is incapable of inclusiveness, they don’t deserve to be one‘

The message of the Rainbow Laces campaign is that everyone is welcome to play football.

Sam Morsy refused to wear the armband for religious reasons. If a captain is incapable of inclusiveness, they don’t deserve to be captain. Neil Dance, Birmingham

What can parents do about the bane of smartphones on kids?

‘If I could stop my kids from having phones but that’s just impossible‘
Busted’s bassist Matt Willis and his TV star wife Emma Willis say they ‘cannot see any safe way or logical way for a kid to have a smartphone’ (Metro, Tue). As a parent of young teens, I’m inclined to agree with them.

In fact, I’d love it if I could stop my kids from having phones but that’s just impossible, isn’t it? All their friends have phones, everyone they see has phones… it feels like the genie is out of the bottle.

What can we do as parents? We are just helpless here. Janet, London

Are Labour going back on Brexit?

‘The silent majority are watching’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants a ‘more mature’ relationship with the EU.

This can mean only one thing. Most politicians set out to purposely ensure a pig’s ear of a Brexit, to ensure it was Brexit in name only. And that includes those allegedly in favour of it. All so we could find our way here.

The silent majority are watching, though – unlike when Tony Blair stitched us up the last time.

If you think the polls for the two-party system look bad now, wait and see if a wayward toe steps in this direction. Jim, London

How do you feel about M&S plan to demolishing their art deco building?

‘M&S want to move as fast as they can’
Barry (MetroTalk, Tue) decries the government giving planning permission to Marks & Spencer to demolish its Oxford Street store – apparently he once saw Margaret Thatcher there.

He might ponder the view of M&S’s CEO Stuart Machin, who said he was delighted at deputy prime minister Angela Rayner’s decision, adding that the company would ‘move as fast as we can’ to make progress ‘after three unnecessary years of delays, obfuscation and political posturing at its worst under the previous government’. Martin, London

Does this song make you hate Christmas too?

Why I hate Christmas. My husband sings or hums Fairytale Of New York all day long. It’s so annoying.
It’s got so bad, I now call him ‘maggot’ – after the lyric – every day at this time of year. He can’t stop. I’m thinking of leaving him. He knows every word. Caroline, London

Can someone tell me why people are wearing these flimsy, cheap blue masks, especially outside?
Please have actual facts from medical experts in your answer. Greig, Edinburgh