The Covid inquiry is exposing the chaos caused for so many by so few

The Covid inquiry is all very well, and it yet has a long way to go.

What must emerge from the chaos and tragedy is no less than the changes that rose from the ashes of Grenfell.

That tragedy and its predecessors involved a tiny fraction of the deaths and costs of Covid. The lack of PPE, standby beds and staff trained and equipped to deal with such a crisis meant the impact was only too clear. Grenfell exposed the lack of rigour, and plain “unfit for purpose” nature of our building regulations as well as the corrupt culture that had developed around them, and the attitudes of the design and construction sector when complying with regulations. The changes are only now coming into effect nearly a decade later (it will be another decade before the real impact is felt).

The Covid Inquiry must result in no less than a re-appraisal and provision of deep and meaningful change in our preparedness for all types of disaster. All must be part of a robust disaster recovery plan for Britain.

We must never again see such chaos and disaster caused by so few for so many.

Michael Mann

Shrewsbury

I have an uneasy feeling that the resignation of Robert Jenrick, is a possible precursor to the right-wing of the Conservative Party moving against the prime minister. Personally, I welcome seeing the back of the immigration minister.

However, this does not override my concerns that if Rishi Sunak is replaced it could be with someone far worse, whose agenda would be purely based on bashing foreigners and the poor. Surely, if we have another change at the helm a general election must be called, and if the PM has any backbone he should call one to pre-empt the party falling to an extremist fraction.

Remember, David Cameron appeased the party’s right wing with a referendum; it did not assuage them! Their march to power must be stopped now.

Robert Boston

Kent

I agree with Carl Carlson, who wrote to The Independent recently, that the Tories and Labour are now almost indistinguishable and that we need a democratic voting system. But they have, in effect, colluded for a century in supporting first past the post. The only way to effect change is for more of us to vote, but just not in favour for either of those parties.

Susan Alexander

South Gloucestershire

In response to Kate Ng’s recent article, I wanted to express my support for her point in regards to how migration and border controls have had a devastating impact on thousands of families in the UK, through refusal of their families to migrate here on a family visa.

I understand that states are at their most powerful – but also most fragile – at their borders. However, for living in such an interconnected global community it is extremely wrong that two individuals cannot be together due to migration policies becoming far stricter than before. Just like any other aspect of the Westphalian state sovereignty system, boundaries are created by politics, and therefore it is politics at fault here – but the families are the ones reaping the heartbreaking consequences.

Mia McFadyen-King

Newcastle-upon-Tyne