Boris Johnson and Liz Truss don’t seem to have learned anything from their mistakes

I read Andrew Grice’s recent column with interest and agreement. Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have indeed shown how a post-prime ministerial career should not be done. They instead should have left the stage with grace, humility and a willingness to learn from their mistakes.

At least Johnson has some sort of legacy, with his recent support of President Zelensky and the war in Ukraine. While this seems to be totally genuine, his other activities leave something to be desired.

As for Liz Truss, she still doesn’t seem to understand that her mad and impulsive dash for growth, without weighing up all the inevitable consequences and the dire impact on people’s mortgages, was economically unsound at best, and fiscally foolish at worst.

Grice is correct that former prime ministers have left the stage and often reinvented themselves with adroitness, but I can’t envisage that happening with these two. Taking responsibility for one’s own actions is an exercise in maturity – something these two seem to lack.

Judith Daniels

Norfolk

Is there a single world leader trying to persuade Putin to talk?

It is heartwarming to witness the support across the world for the people of Ukraine, and the West’s willingness to provide arms in their defence; but the only way to prevent further loss of life, suffering and destruction is to negotiate a ceasefire.

Even at the risk of rejection, world leaders should be continually inviting Vladimir Putin to engage in talks that may lead to a ceasefire. That doesn’t mean giving in to any of his demands, but once a ceasefire can be achieved that would be a start to further negotiations which could lead to a permanent peace.

There must be at least one prominent world leader who has the courage to do this without the fear of appearing weak, or breaking loyalties.

D Corey

Redcar

Our hearts ache for the people of Syria and Turkey. Natural disasters are especially devastating in countries ravaged by conflicts. They can cause an overwhelming exodus of people, and push countries and societies into a maelstrom of political instability, food insecurity, economic ruin, cultural dissonance and social disharmony.

As in any disaster, there will be shortages of doctors, nurses, medical equipment, medicines, electricity, clean drinking water, disinfectants, and countless other things. I implore the United Nations to form a fast task force to be mobilised efficiently and quickly to disaster-stricken countries.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

Apparently Liz Truss is reported as saying that there is a need for the Tories to build an “intellectual base” to drive their agenda; surely a contradiction in terms, given her recent behaviour and tenure as prime minister?

Really, who on earth scripts this stuff? Has Armando Iannucci switched to the dark side?

John Sinclair

Pocklington

The Independent’s recent analysis of our economic plight and the possible route out of it is exact, pragmatic and honest; qualities that are required – and expected – of effective leaders in times of crisis. Unfortunately, these are not the qualities exhibited by our current prime minister, nor those who preceded him.

Rishi Sunak’s actions are influenced by the need to appease and balance the conflicting wings of the Conservative Party. This leads him to shuffle inept figures into his cabinet, pay heed to the ideological elements who favour low taxes and a continuation of the discredited austerity measures introduced by George Osborne, and ignore the damage done to our economy by Brexit.

We are desperate for decisive leadership that addresses the short- and long-term problems that more than a decade of Tory government has exacerbated. However, instead of receiving this when we most need it, we tread water waiting for those who are incapable of addressing these issues to decide when it is in the best interests of their party to call a general election.

Graham Powell

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