The Tory party are split down the middle – and jumping ship

If Rishi Sunak is so keen to launch the Conservatives 2024 local election campaign, then why didn’t he just take a deep breath and call a general election too? The sad fact of the matter is that his government is split down the middle on everything from Brexit to the environment.

Not a day goes by without one of his own party members jumping ship to Reform UK. And as Rishi lectures us all about saving money, the first £5,000 council tax bill is about to land on some unsuspecting person’s doormat within days.

Add to this the behaviour of former Tory MP Lee Anderson, Tory donor Frank Hester, and new allegations now regarding Steve Barclay, and the message is clear. It’s time for change and a fresh start for Britain under Labour and Sir Keir Starmer.

Geoffrey Brooking

Hampshire

Following Mel Stride’s comments I can understand there’s a cause for concern here, but I don’t think mental health culture has gone too far. In fact, we collectively still have work to do, especially for men. We’ve spent generations hiding the struggle, creating a hidden epidemic, especially in the workplace. It’s business leaders who need to step up. Look around – how many men do you see genuinely talking about their mental health at work? Not enough.

Take Norwich Football Club as a positive example. Their video on opening up and checking in with those around you – that’s what we need more of. Leaders need to be vulnerable, to admit “it’s OK not to be OK.”  Stop asking, ”Did you watch the football?” and start asking, “How are you feeling, really?”

But leaders can’t do it alone. People managers need to be equipped with emotional intelligence. Spot the signs: changes in behaviour, increased stress, declining work quality.  These are all potential red flags.

And let’s be clear: businesses benefit too, through improved work quality and better retention. It’s a win-win.  HR needs to create a culture where mental health is as important as physical health. It’s not a pipe dream, it’s the future of work.

Graham James

Milton Keyes

Rather than being angry at being told that we are “sinners” on our way to work, we should remember something.

First and foremost, Ramadan Mubarak to Muslims. Ramadan is the month that compels us to be empathetic with the frail, the needy, the vulnerable and the impoverished who endure cataclysmic levels of poverty, starvation, destitution and ill-health; to feel their agony and try to alleviate their suffering.

Second, it is incontrovertible that every human being makes mistakes and the best of these people is he or she who repents. There is nothing wrong with reminding ourselves of this.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London