Internet trolls are a ghastly part of modern life and should be called out

I read Shappi Khorsandi's column with interest about the continuing vilification of celebrities on social media, which is a great cause for concern. I remember seeing Jesy Nelson's very brave and illuminating programme Odd One Out and was impressed by her willingness to tell it how it is, about the prevalence of vile comments on these platforms and the dire implications for a severe mental health fall out. So I am now not surprised that she has decided to leave Little Mix, for the sake of her own personal wellbeing. 

Khorsandi writes intelligently about the invidious phenomena when men and woman are pilloried in this way and insults and vilification become the common currency of trolls, who should know, but obviously don't know any better. 

In my opinion, internet trolls are a ghastly factor of modern-day life and should be called out whenever possible. Of course, it is far too simplistic to just say ignore them, even if that is the rational thing to do and the temptation to view must be enormous. The old adage “If you can't say anything nice” appears to be for the birds. Such a shame in this ghastly year that these invidious trolls can't just be self-aware, go away and do us all a favour by leaving people in peace.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

There has been much to admire about China’s progress since president Xi Jinping came to power, particularly the elimination of poverty that was widespread through its population. The early signs were positive and it is probably true that many of us felt that a new, more politically and socially progressive China was emerging on the world stage.

But we are now seeing a more domineering power and a China that is increasingly aggressive towards any criticism or resistance to its policies. This includes, of course, the way it has responded forcefully to shut down demonstrators and curb any limited political freedom in Hong Kong. 

Further, the world has increasing evidence of China's repression and hostility towards minority cultures in its own people, such as its treatment of Uighurs in the camps in Xinjiang province. Not surprisingly, China’s neighbours are also feeling increasingly threatened by its more belligerent attitude and its territorial demands.

We have to wonder, if China’s behaviour continues to escalate in this manner, whether there will come a point when we may see an active response from other leading economic countries, which China depends upon considerably for driving forward its own economy. So far, the now historic cries from the people of Tibet, as well as those more recently in Hong Kong and the Uighurs in Xinjiang have fallen on deaf ears.

Ken Carruthers

Hampshire

And it was all going so well. Negotiation and planning maintained valiantly at warp speed over four years, unforeseen curveballs such as fishing rights, Irish border controls and global health crisis taken deftly in its stride, and now so close to Brexit victory the government admits to the so unfair circumstance of too much rain delaying completion of the Farage Garage. In Britain! In winter! Once in a thousand years surely?

As queues of trucks tail back already across Kent, almost within sight of those friends/exasperated opponents over the water, get Boris down there quick in a hard hat and hi-vis to rally the troops and play Cnut with the weather. And where is pal Nigel? Who is uncharacteristically holding his silence on the threshold of glory. Gurning perhaps into a Thanet pint if he can find one? Off to another Trump rally? 

Good show chaps, we need wisdom, guidance and futile gestures on the ground at the front line with the victors’ laurels so close to hand … knew we could rely on you.

Rick Biddulph

Surrey

From where I’m standing both Mr Rees-Mogg and Unicef don’t look good. Unicef is using charitable funds to make a political point by throwing a small amount of money at a local charity. It is not the role of charities to be political pressure groups in the UK, although the distinction is blurred.

With respect to the ever-accelerating trend of the world’s wealth falling into the hands of an ever-smaller group of people, no amount of philanthropy will assuage this. Eventually, general impoverishment will lead to revolution as it did in Russia in the 20th century and France in the 18th century.

Evan Bayton

Warrington

In a blatant future blame-shifting exercise the government is spending a fortune in advertising to tell businesses that it is their responsibility to get ready for Brexit to ensure essential supplies continue to flow into the country. Despite an almost complete lack of any meaningful government guidance, many businesses have done what they can to prepare by stockpiling goods. 

Unfortunately, as the 20-mile queue of lorries outside Folkestone yesterday shows, they have done nothing to ensure the infrastructure is in place to facilitate their suggested plan. The announced £33,000 grant to Dover ports in response to the requested £33m is hard to comprehend when compared to the multi-million pounds finders fee paid to a recent supplier of PPE.

G Forward

Stirling

It may be that a mutant strain of Covid-19 is behind the soaring infection rates, but the obvious alternative explanation is the ending of lockdown just over two weeks ago. Particularly as the move back to a tier system was accompanied, astonishingly, by opening all shops, gyms, nail bars, tattoo parlours and street markets – even in the highest tier.

It was entirely predictable that encouraging people back on public transport to shop in city centres in shops where aerosol transmission was likely would lead to a substantial increase in infections.

The government is trying to blame a mutant strain to divert attention from this reckless decision and enable them to institute a more severe lockdown even with Christmas coming.

Alan Pack

Kent