We know now that the Conservatives put the party over patriotism

Whose plan was it to have Rishi Sunak say that he is the best person to face the challenge of what is claimed to be “the most dangerous time” that Britain has ever witnessed? If it came from the Tories’ election guru, Isaac Levido, then it’s a sure sign that he’s running out of ideas.

It’s just not believable. Rowing back on climate change policy, for example, doesn’t say much about Sunak’s profound sense of urgency. Also, when it comes to leadership, he’s shown that he can’t even control his own party, that’s become increasingly factious. Indeed, his own MPs don’t seem to have much faith in him, given the defections and the record number who have announced they won’t be standing at the next general election.

What’s next – a call by Sunak for patriotism? Surely, not in support of the Tories who now have a reputation for putting party before country.

Roger Hinds

Surrey

The UK’s current political landscape is a timely reminder that history repeats itself, and it’s important to break the habit of making the same mistakes over again.

To place our current malaise in a wider historical context demonstrates how we have allowed capitalism to be concerned with individual wealth generation rather than recognising that it depends upon collective endeavour and engagement. We need to move from an obsession with “I” to a commitment to “we”.

It is heartening to see that there appears to be a shift responding to this in some sectors and Keir Starmer’s Labour Party certainly seems to be in tune with this movement. It is to be hoped that, in government, they will be brave enough to see it through.

The Conservative Party in its current manifestation is a spent force. Unable to see beyond slavish attention to market forces, it is unable to think or plan strategically in the long term since it invests its attention, resources, and the nation’s finances in short-term gains.

Frankly, Sunak’s limited experience of life beyond the financial elite does not enable him to see outside the narrow world he will inhabit once he is done with his political adventure.

We cannot afford to make the same mistakes again.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

I read The Independent’s recent article regarding the level of racism in the Met with interest. There is little new in the content of the piece, institutional racism and misogyny has been a continuing charge over decades against the Met.

Whilst I remain unimpressed with the current commissioner, I do believe he is quite right to baulk at the constant critique of institutional discrimination in the force. Mark Rowley has chosen a more objective view of the problems facing the force today, one that, in my opinion, supports a more practical approach. Certainly, there are those officers who will never change and it is they who should be sought out and dismissed as soon as possible.

However, I have spent my working life in multi-ethnic communities, I believed then and still do now, that this country provides many exemplars to other lands for improved race relations.

Ian Duckworth

Clitheroe

Well into its third year, Russia’s barbaric war of attrition is medieval in its horror and brutality, but 21st century in its delivery, scale, and ferocity. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and injured, and millions displaced. Cities, towns, and villages have been destroyed, and infrastructure crippled, with swathes of territory laid to waste, littered with the detritus of war and unexploded ordinance. 

Our political leaders repeatedly declare that “Putin must fail"” a refrain echoed by many of their Western counterparts, but what “failure” they actually mean remains vague and elusive.

Without Western military aid, Ukraine would have been overrun long ago. This support has been invaluable, but sufficient only for Ukraine to resist rather than eject Russia’s forces from their country. There is a lack of political will and international unity to deal with the matter more effectively, and this has prolonged the conflict and extended the suffering.

This is what Russia sees, and why it will win unless something radically changes in the way the UK and its allies respond. 

Unless Ukraine can negotiate from a position of strength, its sovereign right amounts to no more than wishful thinking. The West must provide that strength. The UK and Europe (our West) must unite, increase significantly their military support, rely less on America, and act with the urgency and resolve that Ukraine deserves.

If not, the annihilation of that country and its people will continue unabated. Russia will emerge bruised but victorious, its dominance will grow, and its perceived threat to the West will become more pronounced. In this case, better perhaps to surrender now, stop the killing, and contain the threat.

The enemy stands at the gates of Kharkiv: where is our West?

David Platts

Newark

Here in Australia, there has been a recent incident where some male senior students at a private school were exposed for “rating” their female classmates’ appearances in the most repugnant terms.

The school suspended several boys and then expelled two. There was generally praise for this action, although some argued for a different approach, suggesting not removing the boys but trying to remedy the problem and help them learn instead.

This is a flawed approach.

There are repeated stories like this, of people who are bailed, forgiven, or never suffer the consequences of their actions, who then go on to repeat their behaviour. These boys knew it was wrong, and they did it anyway.

Surely, people have a right to work and learn in a positive environment free from harassment of any form. The number of people who are this disruptive is small but their effects are big.

Perhaps the concept is best represented by a Star Trek quote: “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne