If Rishi Sunak won’t do his duty, what exactly is he good for?

Global Britain? My goodness that phrase rings hollow now. Our new prime minister supported Brexit, one of the aims of which was (by all accounts) to allow Britain to take its place on the world stage unencumbered by obligations to its former partners in Europe. So how has that worked out?

Britain has absented itself from the world stage where the rest of the world is trying to tackle the most important issue facing our planet at Cop27 – but apparently Sunak doesn’t have time to go. This is depressing beyond belief. I find myself looking back almost with nostalgia to Boris Johnson prancing around on the beach in Cornwall for Cop26. At least he showed up!

Yes, there is a financial statement to prepare, but Sunak has a chancellor to do that. Or has he forgotten that he is now prime minister; a rather different, bigger job? A couple of weeks ago we were all wondering “what is the point of Liz Truss”? I now find myself wondering, if he isn’t representing our country at important world gatherings like Cop27, “what is the point of Rishi Sunak”?

Anne Wolff

Maidenhead

I am not naturally a supporter of the Conservative Party, but I was genuinely optimistic and hopeful that Rishi Sunak would be the fresh start he promised, with his talk of integrity, different ways of doing things and honesty. I may have even be persuaded to vote for him come a general election.

But the last few hours have completely shattered my illusions, with his reinstatement of both Suella Braverman and Gavin Williamson – both of whom were sacked for breaching security and breaking the ministerial code. So once again we are in the situation where ministers can do what they like without responsibility.

I was also sad to see that the old trick of starting culture wars has already started, with a minister being quoted that any criticism of the reinstatement of these two was down to the “gutter press” and “lefties”. I also hear that the new prime minister will not be appointing a standards and ethics adviser.

Just more of the same, with Mr Sunak being no different to his predecessors. I am amazed that I could still be this naive. I should have known better!

Nigel Groom

Witham, Essex

We certainly need far more solar panels, but it should not be necessary to use agricultural land.

If the government is serious about combating climate change, planning authorities should be mandated to require developers to install solar panels where practicable on all new housing, offices, factories, warehouses etc. Government should also offer significant incentives to all owners of existing domestic and commercial property to use their roofs for arrays of solar panels.

These twin policies would transform the UK’s supply of solar energy almost overnight.

Gavin Turner

Norfolk

It is the time of year when we are asked to remember the service and sacrifice of millions in conflicts across the world. Conflicts that have been promoted by our politicians and leaders; in the main with the enthusiastic support of the electorate.

Unfortunately, modern governments have followed the line of their predecessors in past centuries and under-financed the support for the impact of conflict on service people and their families. The poppy collectors are the natural successors of the military beggars consequent on the wars of Marlborough, Wellington and Kitchener.

Yes, there is support provided by the government, but if it was adequate there would be no need for the support services of the Royal British Legion. The government’s contract with service people is broken; we should just pay more in tax to prevent service people and their families, saving them from having to rely on charity.

I will wear a poppy to remember, but with shame at what the necessary fundraising represents: a failure to move on from making ex-service people beg in the streets. We should face up to the full economic cost of the consequences of war.

Denis Wicking

Address Supplied

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Recent key UN reports are adding to the body of evidence that we are not doing near enough to limit global warming to 1.5C. Worse, we are heading towards a catastrophic increase of 2C or more. We chose this; therefore we deserve what we get.

Unfortunately, it will be our children who get what we deserve. Shame on us!

Ian Henderson

Norwich

In contrast to many recent leaders of the Conservative Party, Keir Starmer is a pragmatist who thinks ahead and guards against precipitate action. He has a plan and is anxious not to derail the achievement of his end goal: to make Labour the party of government, not opposition.

Although in principle he may support radical action in response to climate change, vulnerable migrants, workers’ rights, minority groups and Brexit, he seems to fear that the party will be caricatured and marginalised if it is seen to support action that alienates certain voters. It can be fairly said that he is being far too cautious and careful.

He is in danger of losing the support of those who share his core beliefs in fairness, justice and greater equality by exclusively courting the electorate’s middle ground.

Sunak’s half-hearted response to climate change – and the inexcusable appointment of Braverman as home secretary – provide Starmer with opportunities to state the case for radical policies that will have majority appeal. Among many other things, as Jeremy Corbyn implies, now is the time to speak out for more compassionate immigration policies and the maintenance of our democratic right to protest.

Starmer needs to change gear and appeal to the core values of our people, presenting a clear vision of an alternative to the continuing chaos and self-serving short-sightedness of a Conservative government that is long past its sell-by date.

Graham Powell

Cirencester