I only recall having one book of my own – which was stolen by a ‘friend’

Today’s article by Oliver Keens about being a non-reader strikes a powerful chord with me. My parents grew up in very difficult circumstances. My father remained illiterate all his life, my mother little more, though her life circumstances prevented her from developing the ability she clearly possessed.

My father bought a daily newspaper but never read it, refused promotion several times as a London bus conductor because that would have involved him writing reports, which he was unable to do, and in some instances he got me to write letters for him to laboriously copy, if that was needed.

I only recall having one book of my own, which was stolen by a “friend”, who refused to own up to it.

In fact, I could never understand the point of “literature”, since life was a matter of day-to-day survival, and anything beyond that end seemed irrelevant.

I can recall several instances where “intellectuals” have simply refused to accept my backstory, as “illiteracy does not exist” – revealing their own bias and ignorance of the reality.

I do now read, usually via a Kindle device, but am a slow reader.

There should be no shame attached to anyone who, by circumstance or inclination, does not read. Some of whom, eg Jay Blades, from The Repair Shop, have delighted audiences with their other, highly developed skills, and accepted the chance to learn to read as an adult, an opportunity not available to my parents.

Wendy Draper

Winchester

I hope that Keir Starmer does not give in to the Conservative Party and older voters, who largely vote Conservative anyway (Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote in a general election?). Because 16-18-year-olds may be more likely to vote Labour is not a good reason for stopping them having the vote.

It may be an advantage for the Conservatives, but it is not better for democracy.

A generation studying for A-levels, or their equivalent, about half of whom will soon be going to university, are surely well informed and able to make a rational vote as my generation.

I am over 70 – my generation voted largely for Brexit. Had 16 and 17-year-olds been able to take part, it is likely that Remain would have been the result. Most people can now see how disastrous the result has been for young people and the country in general.

We must try to stop those with selfish political motives from preventing young people getting the vote and having a say in their future.

Dr Mike Scott,

Northall, Buckinghamshire

Greg Hands says, “Everyone knows adulthood starts at 18” (Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote in a general election?).

“Everyone knows” is a dead giveaway that he doesn’t have an actual argument.

I am old enough to recall when the age of majority was 21. And the unemployed today are still not eligible for the full jobseekers’ allowance until they turn 25.

If an English child commits a crime, they are held to be responsible from the age of 10. Americans are clearly less mature than Brits, because they can’t purchase alcohol until they are 21.

Adulthood has always been a gradual process, with different rights and responsibilities accruing at different ages.

I remember how frustrating it was when I was young to be told I was an adult one minute, but not capable of making a decision for myself the next. I’d be less worried about a change in the voting age than in bringing some consistency to this mess. Now that I am retired, I suggest 30 as a starting point.

Rachael Padman

Newmarket, Suffolk

Is there a moral case for Nato countries to relax their restrictions on the use of supplied weapons to Ukraine targeting military installations in Russia, in the light of Putin’s sourcing and use of munitions from third countries?

Only by defeating Russia will the avaricious intentions of these supportive hostile states be contained.

Any successful outcome by Putin will only embolden rogue regimes to engage in aggressive manoeuvres worldwide, secure in the knowledge of only a lukewarm response from a rapidly reducing free world.

It is interesting to note these Putin supporters are all authoritarian dictatorships with nuclear weapons who choose to bully states reliant to a greater or lesser extent on the West’s nuclear umbrella for their security.

Direct confrontation with nuclear Nato will achieve nothing, but much can be gained by picking off minnows when opportunities arise.

If one accepts that the Cold War was the “third world war”, then what we are witnessing in Ukraine is a prototype “fourth world war” fought on a hitherto small canvas with all the main protagonists, as yet, shouting from the sidelines.

David Smith

Taunton

Kathy Lette’s entertaining discussion on the ideal time for a teabag to be immersed and brewed in a mug didn’t mention the obvious answer.

The only civilised way to make tea is to warm a teapot, discard the warming water, put the tea in (teabags are allowed), add boiling water, brew for exactly four-and-a-half minutes, stir, then pour into a bone china cup placed on a saucer (milk first, if required).

Anything else is simply wrong.

Philip Talbot

Arundel, West Sussex