Angela Rayner is authentic – no wonder the Tories want her gone

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Many Conservative MPs seem to think that because Rayner is a stand-out personality, often fearless, and a woman, she needs to be taken down a peg or two (Getty)

I read Alan Rusbridger’s column about Angela Rayner with interest. He is correct that everyone in the government from the prime minister down seems to have Rayner’s tax affairs in the forefront of their obsessive minds! Likewise, deploying at least a dozen officers to go through her financial affairs with the finest toothcombs stinks of desperation.

But, as he rightly states, there is far more at play here. Many Conservative MPs seem to think that because she is a standout personality, often fearless, and a woman, she needs to be taken down a peg or two.

I would imagine, that whether you were to meet her in the street, in a local cafe, or in Westminster, she would be the same bubbly personality, and that a half-decent conversation with her would ensue without any of the typical political airs or graces.

One might agree or disagree with her, but that is not the point. The point is that she is authentic Labour, and has been nurtured by the party, because they could spot a winner when they saw one. But her opposers can’t bear someone like her, who beat horrendous odds, and is now one very influential woman.

As to Rusbridger’s pertinent question which closes the article – “would public life be better without her?” – the answer is that no, it wouldn’t, and I would surmise that many of the public would agree. We could do with far fewer political clones in government, and more authentic people like her.

Judith A Daniels

Address supplied

The Tories have squandered an opportunity to undo some of the damage of Brexit

The government has plumbed new depths in meanness by rejecting an EU proposal which would enable young people to enjoy and benefit from studying and working within Europe. It appears that Sunak et al fail to understand that the EU operates as a bloc, and that this proposal would open up opportunities in wider Europe (not just cherry-picking individual countries deemed preferable for some reason).

Brexit deprived young people of amazing opportunities – this would be a chance to repair a tiny part of the damage.

Claire Casson

Address supplied

The UK doesn’t have a sick note problem – it has a job problem

Let’s get this right – this isn’t about sick notes at all. The Tories have only created awful, low-paid jobs that are a dead loss.

People don’t want those jobs. They crave the kinds of real skills and real pay that the Tory ethos hasn’t created, and never will.

It is now time proven that the much-heralded Conservative uplands simply don’t exist – all of their policies have failed, period. The Conservative Party is now electorally done for.

Dale Hughes

Address supplied

A double standard?

Mark Menzies, who has had the Tory whip removed, may be investigated by the Lancashire police. He is accused of funnelling £14,000 of party donations to pay for his medical care (Menzies says that he “disputes” the allegations against him).

This is seven times the amount that Angela Rayner is being investigated for, by a body of 12 Manchester police officers. I wonder how many police will be allocated the case of Menzies?

Alan Pack

Kent