Letters: Time for all on the left to unite behind Khan

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For years I’ve campaigned across London for Liberal Democrat candidates and even stood as a parliamentary candidate myself last year. But at this election only Sadiq Khan is capable of putting into practice the values that Lib Dems care about. Sadiq represents the kind of grown up, progressive politics that Lib Dems believe in and that’s why I intend to campaign for Sadiq and I urge all Lib Dem voters to back him.

It is especially important that we stop Zac Goldsmith. He has run a nasty, desperate and dog-whistling campaign that is simply not acceptable in the modern world.

So I say this to all those who share a progressive vision for London: vote for Sadiq Kahn to be a Mayor for all Londoners.

James Fearnley

Former Liberal Democrat Prospective Candidate

Croydon

Leave power with the customer to decide on tipping

My first thoughts on hearing of the proposed move to introduce a ‘tipping’ law, if unscrupulous restaurant operators do not tow the line, were unprintable.

I say this from the position of someone who has been in the service industry for over 30 years, and who has from time to time benefited greatly from the generosity of others, although I have usually been paid a fair day’s wage to begin with.

The largest tip I ever received on one occasion was £500, although very often I get nothing, or just a token sum. It goes with the territory as those I work for feel that what I do is par for the course, part and parcel of what passes for my job.

As a professional hotel and restaurant inspector however, I am faced with the tipping dilemma on a daily basis. The majority of establishments now add a tip into the final bill, often without making it clear to the customer. This is common practice when parties of six or more are dining together, something that I fail to understand.

There are few occasions when I have refused to pay a tip but one occasion in particular stands out. During a visit to a restaurant in London’s Chinatown the service was so poor and the waiter so rude that on being presented with the bill, complete with service charge, I asked to borrow a pen and crossed out the amount, deducting it from the total bill, telling them in no uncertain words why. Thankfully in this country we are not liable to arrest for refusing to pay a service charge, as is the case in the USA.

There are arguments for against tipping and whether or not it should be left to the customer to decide.

Linda Piggott-Vijeh

Combe St Nicholas

More FCO advice needed

Reading Simon Calder's article (Independent 2nd May), I wonder what the Foreign Office advice would be regarding staying at home?

David Wallis

Cirencester