Trump’s plan for peace? America under Putin’s thumb

Kate Devlin’s recent article on David Cameron ruling out Donald Trump’s plan for “peace” in Ukraine was a welcome headline. But its content was less encouraging.

Currently, Congress is dragging its heels regarding funding for Ukraine, and it seems clear that should Joe Biden suffer defeat in the November elections, the security of the Western world will be compromised.

Vladimir Putin and his imperialist intentions will not hit the buffers with concessions of territory in Ukraine. Such a course of action is likely to result only in a temporary cessation of Russian aggression towards Ukraine, placing it in a much stronger position to resume hostilities at a time of its choosing. Russia’s economy would be strengthened by the acquisition of Ukraine’s assets and its territorial boundaries extended, opening up avenues to other states in the region who may well be next in line for a Soviet-style “liberation”.

The USA, the most powerful country on earth, should Trump be re-elected, appears in danger of being reduced to a Soviet client state – conquered without a shot being fired.

What Ukraine requires is military aid now. The deadly game is in progress and cannot be put on hold to satisfy the narcissistic irrationality of “surrender monkey” Trump and his ensnared GOP. Control of Congress is key – and it could change. However, if the USA does not act, others must or much will be lost.

David Nelmes

Newport

Labour’s Rachel Reeves has raised good points about the need to narrow the “tax gap” by increasing the number of HM Revenue and Customs officers. I would like to echo her point, seeing that an IFS study in 2017 has demonstrated the potential of tax audit bringing in £1,230 more for every audited person for a period of five years post-audit.

She also spoke about enhancing HMRC’s capability to resolve fraud cases and collect taxes by performing more tax audits which I agree with. I would like to highlight the example of Australia using technology to boost tax compliance. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) uses data matching which aggregates information electronically from numerous external sources before verifying, examining and using them for learning and regulatory purposes. In turn, the ATO has managed to recover in excess of A$530m (£276m) in unpaid tax and halt A$2.5b of inappropriate tax refunds using AI. This is an example of technological innovation which the UK can use in its efforts to bridge the “tax gap”.

The question of how spending pledges will be funded ultimately shapes the public debate on whether such pledges are realistic. It is therefore a step in the right direction for Labour to discuss its pledges to increase NHS funding and primary school breakfast clubs while outlining how it will fund them.

Chris Wongsosaputro

London

The looming general election will undoubtedly raise the issue of “foreign aid versus domestic spending”. Over the past decade, local government budgets have been reduced, leading to increased potholes, fewer bus services, and the closure of local services. These cuts and absences have led many to question why we continue spending millions of pounds overseas when our local councils are struggling.

Some 60 per cent of the UK population (2023) believe that the government overspends on overseas aid. In reality, UK foreign aid spending only accounts for 0.5 per cent of gross national income, a reduction from the previous 0.7 per cent.

Despite the issues we face at home, it’s important to remember those in our global community living in extreme poverty. Suppose we reduce our overseas aid further: 200,000 women across Africa will be left vulnerable to unsafe abortions, 500,000 women and children in Yemen without access to healthcare, and 27,000 children in South Sudan suffering from severe acute malnutrition untreated. It could result in the postponement or cessation of programmes in Somalia that fight against female genital mutilation. It could also critically impact education programmes in Pakistan and Afghanistan, reduce financial inclusion projects in Nigeria, destabilise electoral processes, and eliminate impactful civil society organisations.

The UK has always been a global leader in poverty reduction. If we want to achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030, we must continue to act as such.

Isabelle Hickman

Wolverhampton

I am writing in response to The Independent’s recent coverage of the mental health of male veterans.  

Progress continues to be made to ensure veterans receive the support they need. However, these figures are a timely reminder of how much more work needs to be done.

Since 2021, we have experienced a 70 per cent increase in demand for our mental health services from veterans – reasons for this are complex, including PTSD, anxiety and depression. Given that the transition back into civilian life can be extremely tough, the reality is that a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to move the dial in addressing the issue.

More questions must be asked about the unique mental health challenges veterans are facing across the UK, ensuring they have access to a clear and compelling pathway to high-quality, tailored support in their local area. In the face of such statistics, this needs to be addressed with urgency.

Tony Hulton

Warminster

It appears that the majority of UK citizens want our government to cease supplying arms to Israel, even though the quantity is relatively small. Yet Rishi Sunak and his party have ignored us and even have the effrontery to tell us that their lawyers say that no humanitarian laws are being broken.  

Putting to one side any consideration of moral law, have they considered that they do not need to seek legal advice to terminate weapon sales, and they would certainly not be breaking any laws?

Apparently, the UK continues to follow Tony Blair’s policy of toadying up to the USA.

John Peacock

Somerset

Many of those orphaned from Gaza will look in later life for someone to blame, and it won’t be Hamas. Can Israel not see that the hurt they are inflicting upon a defenceless population is only opening the door for Hamas to recruit and radicalise those who have now lost everything?

We will likely see the consequences of this war ripple out for years to come, all because there has been no wisdom in the response to the tragic attacks of 7 October.

When will it end?

Simon Watson

Worcestershire