Now is the time to admit the threat we face from Russia

Our government must employ greater vigour in its duty to inform the nation of the potential risks posed by Russia. We know there is war in Ukraine, but many do not believe that it will affect us, or do not wish to entertain that belief. It is a problem far from these shores and our minds.

We have provided military support to Ukraine, but still not enough – and the government’s defence budget is insufficient to address the pressing need to expand and update our own armed forces. A general election is looming, the Tories look weak and the economy remains fragile. The government’s underlying focus is on their political survival, while events unfolding in Ukraine may ultimately threaten the very existence of a democratic Europe. The defence imperative has been sidelined by political ambition, with tax cuts favoured over defence spending.

We don’t need to be sheltered from hard truths. We don’t want to find ourselves in an armed conflict, without prior warning of that possibility and its consequences. Our national security must be the main focus of our political leaders. The threat to the UK and the rest of Europe posed by an aggressive Russia is real and growing. We need to better understand the magnitude and nature of that threat – and the risks we face.

Rishi Sunak must provide the unfettered truth, explain what must be done to counter this threat, and be honest about the costs. He must get the population on side, bring the issue to the forefront of people’s minds, and encourage a sense of national unity. An emergency Budget and imposition of a war tax should be considered, with the burden borne by those who are more able to pay.

We must acknowledge the deadly elephant in the room. Now is the time to admit what we face and decide how to deal with it. Now is the time to place the UK on a war footing, and to encourage our allies to do the same.

Our political leaders would do well to remember that ancient refrain: “By their actions shall you know them.”

David Platts

Newark

Like the proverbial curate’s egg, Rachel Reeves’s Mais Lecture was good in parts. However, some criticisms have to be made. In my opinion, it is not just the Treasury that needs to be reformed – but finance itself.

It is clear that the major new economic settlement we need will require a shake-up of savings, banking and investment. This would have to be underpinned by a strategic approach to opening up markets abroad to export goods and services. This would almost certainly involve rejoining the EU single market – something out of bounds in current Labour thinking.

The shadow chancellor should not be too worried about how her thinking will go down in the red wall. I have a hunch that thinking there has changed quite a bit since 2019!

Andrew McLuskey

Middlesex

Some contributors have indicated that a fixed election period would be a sensible move. I beg to differ.

While I recognise that the choice of election days allows the incumbent prime minister to engineer a result for party-political purposes, it may also allow the government to avoid an emergency, which would otherwise sway popular judgement based on short-term needs.

And it may not be a bad thing for the incumbent government to have a slight advantage in order to lean in favour of stability.

If the opposition really does have the support of the nation, it will be quite clear.

Cole Davis

Norwich

Just when you thought the cesspool of social media couldn’t get any worse, it sinks even further.

The latest conspiracy theory is that it was a body double of Kate who went shopping a few days ago. The Firm has already been burnt with the “improved” photo of Kate and kids, and another misstep would just about wipe out any lingering goodwill.

Why are so many people willing to believe paranoid ramblings than the simple truth?

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne