Before spending more on defence, we should reconsider our standing in the world

Before boosting military spending (“Defence spending plans show a serious mismatch between what the government wants and what it can actually achieve,” 20 November), we need to mentally unshackle ourselves from the so-called “special relationship”.

The problem with America is less Trump and more its transformation since the end of the Cold War into a rogue state. America uniquely and terrifyingly combines being armed to the teeth with a belief that it is ordained to impose its values on the world.

It is characterised by an insatiable and bellicose urge to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction. International law as practised by the west is to accede to America the role of “globocop”, as well as judge and jury. Worse still, America is allowed to make up law as it goes along. So much for a rules-based international order. It’s as if Lord Acton’s dictum – absolute power corrupts absolutely – only applies to lesser entities, such as China and Russia.

Realpolitik cries out for a multi-polar world with its checks and balances. This is not based on moral equivalence. It’s an acknowledgement of the need to temper well-intentioned, but all too often, dangerous temptations inherent in the human condition. To paraphrase Palmerston, there are neither eternal allies nor perpetual enemies. Britain and the EU should rethink their geopolitical priorities.

Yugo Kovach

Winterborne Houghton, Dorset 

From the government announcements this week, do we gather that a not inconsiderable sum is being invested in driverless, electric-powered tanks?

Andy Wilson

Winscombe

Spare a thought for the people working directly for Donald Trump. His failure to concede to Joe Biden must be really turning the heat up on them. So much so that his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani – before our eyes in a televised press conference – seemed to be visibly melting.

Roger Hinds

Surrey

I read Kate Townshend’s article, “Call me Scrooge, but I’m not sure Boris Johnson should save Christmas after all” (18 November). What a load of rubbish! Was your birthday cancelled because you couldn’t party with your family and friends this year? Of course not. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ, not a commercial bonanza. It’s not cancelled – we may just have to celebrate it in a more thoughtful way this year and think more about it’s true meaning. 

Tony Shephard

Shropshire

We refer to the recent article, "University students call for tuition fee refunds amid government ‘mistreatment’ during pandemic" (18 November). It is understandable that some students, who paid full fees expecting at least a hybrid teaching mode, would want a partial refund when it turns out that their courses are now delivered entirely online.

However, surely there are some students who have joined the refund petition not for the right reasons. These include opportunistic students who crowdfunded their fees online or from other means via private donations or scholarships. It is questionable if those students have sufficient justifications and personal stakes to ask for refunds and/or even incite other students to join petitions.

Most importantly, there is presently no  mechanism of accountability to make sure those students will and can feasibly give back the private donations to thousands of donors on crowdfunding websites. Universities and student campaign groups should be aware of this issue.

Martin Kwan and Wilson So

Hong Kong

On Mental Health Day this year, the health secretary Matt Hancock tweeted that “it’s so important that we look out for each other”.

It would appears that the Home Office didn’t get the memo. Leaks of the investigation into Priti Patel suggest there is compelling evidence of her bullying civil servants. In any private sector organisation she would be very lucky to keep her job. It is time for her to be sacked.

Chris Key

I am deeply ashamed to read this article about the black family in the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert (“The outrage over Sainsbury’s Christmas ad with a black family proves it: racism in the UK never stopped,” 18 November).

I long to live in a country which celebrates diversity and racial differences. Whatever happened to tolerance and love for our fellow man.

Ann Ford

Altrincham