What is it that these ministers have to hide?

The government’s decision to resist the Covid inquiry’s request for unredacted information beggars belief. For the government to attempt to block the democratic process so blatantly leads to only one question: “What on earth do these ministers have to hide?” This utterly foolish decision has vaporised any remaining remnants of government integrity. Here was the opportunity for ministers to come out of this smelling of roses (well, you never know) but no, it’s the other stuff, as usual. I think we need to be braced for seismic revelations and as yet uncharted levels of contempt for voters. Or, we could have an election.

David Lowndes

Southampton

Recent debates around the opportunities and threats posed by the further development of AI may have missed out on the one thing more dangerous than AI – climate change. War, pandemics, pestilence, and AI of any sort are all less potentially threatening to the human race than climate change.

Our future with AI simply shows that humans are inherently adaptive and accommodating – when they have to be. Set against climate change it is not really a problem. Unless we adjust to reality and do something about climate change none of this is likely to matter.

Our biggest problem is inaction, the planet is moving towards irreversible damage and it is humans causing the destruction, not AI.

Rather AI has the potential to offer solutions and a fast response to our changing climate. At present those at the forefront of developing useful AI are hampered by politicians maneuvering for the next election rather than making decisions and taking actions that are essential to life as we know it.

AI is not the main threat. It offers fairness, kindness, and trust as intelligent solutions. AI will only kill off humans if they cannot adapt to the reality of our planet.

Michael Mann

Shrewsbury

The government’s refusal to supply all the documentation requested by the Covid inquiry reinforces the need for the establishment of anti-corruption and constitutional courts in the UK. This country has a highly centralised and secretive system of governance. In the Johnson era, it become palpably obvious how it could be used to obstruct legitimate investigations into apparent wrongdoing.

It is to be hoped that the courts will now uphold Baroness Hallett’s request for full documentation in her important work. It is also vital that whoever forms the next government legislates for a system where transparency is a key principle.

Andrew McLuskey

Middlesex

The nation’s finances are on the rocks – some 7.3 million people are languishing on a teetering NHS waiting list. There is an insurmountable refugee crisis on our Kent coastline and Ukraine is increasingly beleaguered and where is Rishi Sunak? In a huddle with his lawyers scrabbling around looking to find a credible way out of the “Covid WhatsApp” hole, they’ve dug for themselves.

It’s scarcely believable that so much pointless time, energy, and brainpower is still being mopped up trying to outwit the truly Machiavellian nightmare created for the Tories by Boris Johnson.

Is he, after having his great powers usurped, preparing to have his final revenge upon the Tory Philistines and pull their temple down around onto their heads? It looks like his WhatsApp aberrations could contain all sorts of nasty contaminated fallout for his acolytes, ministers, and latterly his disloyal colleagues. Buckle up, everybody... it’s going to be a roller coaster ride to oblivion for some.

Surely the sooner we get this hideous sideshow over the sooner we can get back to addressing the real roller coaster out there?

Steve Mackinder

Denver

There are many commendable reasons to vote a Labour government into power next year. However, Brexit is becoming a slight negative for me in as much that Keir Starmer has flip-flopped from voting to remain in the union at the referendum and now wants to stay outside the union.

His logic is that there are plenty of reasons to stay outside the union: better health service, better jobs and to retain better control over our lives. Well, as is self-evident, we have none of the above and things are getting worse.

My understanding is that he wants those who voted to leave the Europen Union to vote Labour which would further endorse his government. But isn’t this dishonest and simply storing-up trouble for a later date?

Don’t misunderstand me, I do want a Labour government but not at the expense of integrity which is a major strong point of Starmer and his party. In my opinion, he ought to champion the cause that would improve Britain’s future and standard of living, which is within the European Union, rather than chase votes for short-term expedience.

Keith Poole

Basingstoke