New year, new voting system?

Given long-standing concerns with the fitness of the British constitution, and also the alarming history of the Johnson government, the time would seem ripe for the development of a new method of governance for the UK. Drawing on the experience of Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia, we need to develop our own version that suits our political culture.

Many will wish to see legislative assemblies elected by fair voting systems. Constitutional and anti-corruption courts are now clearly also needed in the UK. If this can be achieved we might then have a system of governance appropriate for the 21st century.

Andrew McLuskey

Middlesex

I read Jon Stone’s piece on the treasury chief Tom Scholar getting a top honour with interest. Congratulations to him. It was a fitting rebuttal to Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng. Financial experts were never more needed when the pair tore up economic rules and generally made a dog’s dinner of a kamikaze Budget – the impact of which is still being felt.

The former chancellor has admitted that they were completely carried away by their prominent positions, let’s hope they have learned the necessary lessons. As for Sir Tom Scholar, he can rest easy knowing that his expertise and credible spreadsheets were the ones to be relied on and not the fantasy ones produced by his bosses.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

With reference to Lizzie Dearden’s piece on how more than 1,800 police officers recruited under Boris Johnson’s 20,000 pledge have already quit.

Suella Braverman trumpets the success of the target drive to recruit “extra officers”, or more correctly to replace police officers lost by a targeted policy of reduction, but does not recognise the culpability of both herself and her party’s successive governments in the matter. Whilst she seeks to restore police numbers, replacing experienced officers lost with trainees gained, the loss of disillusioned new recruits is hardly helpful, especially as the losses appear to be understated.

David Nelmes

Newport

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Rishi Sunak has decided to impose Covid checks on travellers coming from China from 5 January, which seems a sensible approach finally. At present, there are reports of massive numbers of Covid cases in China so a simple test would be best. The tests are now easy, fast and no longer painful, so why shouldn’t people be tested on arrival? Although, in fairness, it should include all countries.

We need to welcome travellers as healthy, friendly visitors who are going to spend all their money in the country rather than contributing to the problems in the medical system. Welcome to all hale and hearty visitors.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Australia