Flying a jet, partying at Chequers – our departing PM has his finger on the pulse

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Wednesday 20 July 2022 09:13 EDT
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We should be grateful that there are no national crises affecting the country that could actually require this government to govern
We should be grateful that there are no national crises affecting the country that could actually require this government to govern (POOL/AFP via Getty)

Over the past week, the PM organised and hosted a farewell party at Chequers, took an RAF Typhoon jet for a spin, and attended Farnborough Air Show

He also found time to boot out Tobias Ellwood for having the gall to abstain from supporting the government, of which a large proportion resigned in order to force the PM to go (less than a fortnight before), over a confidence vote that the Tories themselves had called.

We should be grateful that there are no national or international crises affecting the country that could actually require this government to govern.

Katharine Powell

Neston, Cheshire

A true choice of leader

It is promising that the contenders for Tory leader disagree as to whether to tax less or more, thus offering a true choice as to the country’s direction.

It is also reassuring that the prime ministerial hopefuls don’t seem keen to argue about minor issues, such as the deportation of desperate refugees to Rwanda, the push for a full victory against Russia rather than calling for an immediate end to the war, and the severance of any remaining ties with Europe.

After all, the new leader may bring stability and not a complete overhaul of the country’s course.

Bambos Charalambous

Manchester

Prime Minister Truss

Even while contemplating Britain with Liz Truss as PM, can you imagine a future where we all exclaim en masse: “Oh, if only Boris were still in charge!”?

No, neither can I.

Nick Donnelly

Dorset

Tory leadership debates

The concluding paragraph of Andrew Grice’s article states that: “There is plenty of polling evidence that TV debates boost voter engagement in politics – crucially, among younger people. The politicians must surely be in favour of that.”

I can only assume that this was meant to be ironic.  Younger people are generally more socially aware, more concerned about the climate, more European and more egalitarian than older voters.

It is certainly not in the interest of the Tory/Brexit party to boost their engagement in politics.

Phil Whitney

Cromford, Derbyshire

A similar demographic

Six years ago, many older people who were relatively well-off voted for their children and grandchildren to lose their rights, freedoms and opportunities across Europe.

Now it appears to me that many climate change deniers, emboldened by the heatwave, are from a similar demographic.

This time, though, the damage will be irreparable – Brexit can be reversed. The losses will be more fundamental – including our access to water, food and life.

Just like our ex-prime minister, if it is not going to bother them, then they are not bothered!

Robert Boston

Kingshill, Kent

Existential threats

In the absence of God, the planet continues to express its wrath at the short-sighted cupidity of humankind. Our profligate use of the planet’s resources and disregard for other forms of life have caused us, over the last three years, to be visited by apocalyptic plagues, conflicts and conflagrations of biblical proportions.

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Faced with these existential threats to our own survival, those we elect to serve us continue to turn a blind eye and distract themselves with the usual self-serving, short-term preoccupations.

As evidenced in the Tory leadership debates and the continued grandstanding of a shamed prime minister, the public are patronised by politicians who fiddle with inconsequential issues while the planet burns.

The need for a leader who can square with the nation about the dangers that are facing us, and unite us with a vision of how the world should be for our children’s children, has never been more acute.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

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