Letters: Britain’s great universities must resist chilling attacks on free speech
Views (207)
SIR – Parliament, having been handed back sovereign control by the people in the Brexit vote, has turned out to be incapable of exercising it (Leading Article, May 18).
Our MPs seem unable to wean themselves off diktats from Brussels, and when they have introduced new laws or regulations – such as on immigration – our situation has only become worse. We should acknowledge that Brexit has failed because of incompetent politicians and the resistance of the Blob. We have lost the ability to govern, and proved ourselves unworthy of sovereign control over our laws.
Michael CoombsBeckenham, Kent
Mr Johnson nearly died during the Covid pandemic and admitted that his weight was a contributory factor to his near-demise. Why have successive British governments largely failed to act on the advice of health professionals?
Stephen JonesLondon SE1
First a presenter will hector a minister, often about something not within his or her remit. The minister will respond by parroting that day’s Downing Street briefing, preceded by: “I think what the public want to know...” And so the “discussion” continues, until they run out of time.
Just once I would like to hear a minister say, “I don’t know – that’s not in my departmental responsibility”, but the presenter would inevitably retort: “You must have been in the Cabinet meeting…”
Better, more thoughtful presenters might just elicit information of public interest, but they would then have to forego a “gotcha” moment.
Robert BritnellCanterbury, Kent
SIR – Good diction is all that is needed to correct Today. Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, we no longer hear it.
Sue MasonLong Sutton, Lincolnshire
If you are not depressed at the prospect of this team acquiring the European Champions League trophy after 15 seasons of simply attempting to buy it, you don’t really love sport, never mind football.
Mark BoyleJohnstone, Renfrewshire
Veronica LeonHarrow, Middlesex
There is no more logical way start reading than to learn the sound of each letter of the alphabet. I cannot understand how any teacher could believe differently. The same applies to maths: you cannot start teaching arithmetic until the pupil knows what the numbers nought to nine are.
Teaching any fundamental subject must begin with the basics. To start in the middle of the course is both silly and detrimental to the pupil.
Peter MountainChesham, Buckinghamshire
When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, I was asymptomatic. The consultant told me that if I had not had regular PSA tests and waited until I had symptoms, I would have died. I know from two prostate cancer support groups that many other asymptomatic men have been told the same thing.
Bob FerrisBanstead, Surrey
The situation has grown more serious because this year the badgers have also decided to dig up some of my newly planted potatoes.
Andrew DonBradley, Hampshire
The journey home – towing the go-kart piled high with 10-pin bowling ball-sized elephant droppings – was slower, and fraught with spillages and reloads. But my Grandad’s vegetable harvest was apparently the best ever the following season.
Kevin HenleyCheshunt, Hertfordshire
One by one, cars drew up behind us and waited. No one hooted or flashed their lights. All we could do when we moved on was lower our windows and give them a huge wave.
Richard FaganGerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire
SIR – We have always been impressed by the friendliness of Canadians. When I asked someone about this he said their tiny population occupies an area larger than the United States: “We’re spread so thin that if you bump into another human you just want to talk to them.”
Julian TopePortishead, Somerset
SIR – Queuing for a meal at a restaurant in Florida with my son who has Down’s syndrome, people in the queue started to become interested in him.
By the time we had reached the top of the line we had been furnished with so many vouchers for food that we paid only for our soft drinks.
Furthermore, the young waiter tied balloons to my son’s seat, and gave him special place mats and napkins and lollipops.
He informed me he had a brother “like your son”, and wanted to make the visit special for him. The kindness of American strangers made this an evening we will always remember.
Gaile MortonBelfast
It is virtually impossible to guarantee their endurance in war. This must be taken into account when developing Britain’s energy strategy. The survival potential of dispersed, self-contained, small nuclear reactors should not be overlooked, especially if they are hardened against attack.
Air Commodore Michael AllisstoneChichester, West Sussex
Another company failed to fix it, and it still lies idle. This cost has been considerable and I am now resigned to using the immersion heater until I can summon the inclination and the funds to have another go at finding help.
Tim TaylerBristol
SIR – My latest bill came with the closing sentiment: “Love and power, The Octopus Energy team”. What next – hugs and kisses from HMRC?
Patrick TraceyCarlisle, Cumbria
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