Why has the Government forgotten about the environment?

In his analysis of Theresa May's first 100 days, Sean O'Grady neglects to mention one area which seems to have been forgotten by politicians and the media – the environment.

One of May's first acts was to scrap the Department of Energy and Climate Change. She then decided to go ahead with Hinckley Point, an unproven design to be built by the French and Chinese.

She also intends to go ahead with fracking, and another runway at either Heathrow or Gatwick.

Effort: 0 out of 10

Presentation: 0 out of 10

Achievement: 0 out of 10

Martin Heaton
Gatley

My memory may be at fault but I don't recall that before Edward Heath began negotiating the terms of the UK's entry into the EEC, or before Harold Wilson began renegotiating those terms, or before Margaret Thatcher negotiated the terms of the Maastricht treaty, parliament tried to insist on approving in advance the Government's negotiating stance.

So why should this happen before the Brexit negotiations?

It never makes sense to set out in public one's detailed negotiating position before discussions begin. This only benefits the other party or parties to the negotiations. We can be sure that the EU negotiators will not have their hands tied by the European Parliament.

Michael Clarke
Portishead

Mark Steel’s article is as scathingly wonderful as usual, but he mashed up one of the most misunderstood verses in the New Testament:

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

“Suffer” here means “allow”; it has nothing to do with suffering, Mark.

However, the original verse not only supports your argument, but also shows up the begrudging for the mean-minded clods they are.

Terry Walsh
Sileby

Being a regular passenger on Southern train services, none of which had a guard, I find it surprising the RMT are using “passenger safety” as a reason for striking. There needs to be a realisation that train drivers are quite able to operate the doors without a guard.

I also use South West Trains, which have guards who are only seen when the trains stop and they operated the doors, so I fail to understand the argument they provide a service to the travelling public.

Please be truthful about the reasons for the dispute and embrace technological advances rather than hide behind outdated practices.

Frank Sole
Address supplied

With all the uproar over Trump's reluctance to "accept the outcome of the election" I seem to have missed something.

Has anyone asked Hillary the same question?

Just curious.

Dale Lowdermilk
Santa Barbara

Marmite!

Nothing more than over-hyped, over-priced, very salty yeast extract.

Far better to buy less salty and healthier, cheaper supermarket alternatives which are widely available.

The intelligent consumer disregards the designer label and reads the nutritional content carefully.

Philip Barton
Exeter