You won’t achieve real change with a protest vote

Whilst I agree with Susan Alexander that electoral reform and a move to proportional representation is in the nation’s long-term interests, the more pressing need is for the electorate to rid itself of a Conservative government that has impaired most aspects of the nation’s politics for 14 years.

The nation will be best served if the electorate votes tactically in order to remove as many Conservative MPs as possible. Any votes cast that do not have this end in mind are no more than protest votes that may be to the advantage of our discredited government.

It is worth remembering that the coalition government’s referendum on proportional representation did not have the desired outcome. Change will only happen when principled leaders come to realise that a reform of governance lies in the nation’s long-term interest and are prepared to present the case to the electorate. All of which depends on politicians doing what the Conservatives seem incapable of doing, by putting the nation’s best interests before those of the party. We can but live in hope.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Like Northern Ireland we in Scotland voted to remain in the EU. Unlike Northern Ireland we don’t qualify for an Irish passport and hence unlimited access to Europe to live, work and study. Our devolved government didn’t receive over £4bn from the UK government in bungs to keep us sweet. When will this inequality be resolved and we can all benefit from the same access to Europe?

G Forward

Stirling

You are right that the gruesome events in Clapham should not be used as a smokescreen to inflict miseries on genuine asylum seekers. The UK has had a remarkable history of offering sanctuary for those fleeing death, persecution and agony. Today, the history of the UK as a beacon of openness, multiculturalism, and religious tolerance, should not be besmirched by dehumanising rhetoric or restrictions.

Countless refugees have contributed magnificently to the cherished history of the UK, its cultural heritage, scientific track record, economic boom, religious diversity and political pluralism. Rather than sabotaging these virtues, the government should ameliorate them.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

I have lost count of how many predictions I have read in the past year that “finally, surely, this will be the thing that sinks Donald Trump!” Court cases, condemnations by powerful figures, even the loss of the last election – it seems that nothing can touch Teflon Don.

All we can do is cross our fingers and hope that in November, when it really counts, he is rejected by the US electorate one final time. Maybe that really will be the thing that sinks him.

Stephen Bloom

Canterbury