The resignation of the BBC director general is more when – than if

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This latest furor just underlines the need for new leadership at the BBC (PA Media)

It looks to me like we have now arrived at the point where the resignation of Tim Davie, as BBC director general, is more when – than if.

The choice to punish Gary Lineker, all while Richard Sharp hides from the controversy of his facilitating a loan to Boris Johnson, is ridiculous.

This latest furor just underlines the need for new leadership at the BBC. But then who will 10 Downing Street rely on? They could attempt to pander to the far right, who are threatening to steal copious votes, by appointing Nigel Farage and Richard Tice. Decisions, decisions.

Robert Boston

Kent

It’s now clear Sturgeon’s regime was smoke and mirrors

If one thing has become clear since Nicola Sturgeon’s abrupt resignation, it is that the SNP has been a one-woman band. The candidates in the race to succeed her are trying hard not to be less than mediocre and failing. But one thing they know: that Sturgeon’s regime was a smoke and mirrors outfit. When not in denial, they reveal that there were shortcomings that stained her rule.

There is no indication that any of them actually knows what to do with the power that they would inherit. The high-water mark of nationalism has passed.

The SNP may still have almost 80,000 members: a far cry from the dizzy heights of 125,000 a few years ago. But, increasingly, members are becoming disillusioned. The way in which the leadership contest is being held is doing nothing to enlighten them, or us, about what a future SNP would actually do.

Jill Stephenson

Edinburgh

What a disappointment Rishi Sunak is fast becoming

Sunak’s promise to govern "with integrity" and a "grown-up government" after Liz Truss and Boris Johnson’s shenanigans is backfiring in style. The fact of the matter is that Sunak, just like Johnson and his pal Farage, is nothing but another populist.

Sunak has no hope of solving the cost of living crisis. Sunak has no vision to fix the economy.

Instead, just like Johnson ran an election campaign on the three-word slogan of “Brexit Means Brexit”, Sunak is now running the government and potentially going into a new election with another three-word slogan called “Stop The Boats”.

The policy of both slogans has and continues to fail just like the rest of this government.

Geoffrey Brooking

Hampshire

Welsh is old but not an anachronism

Lowrie Llewellyn’s article is a very powerful piece, factually and brutally precise – and in her second language. It asks a question and invites a response.

I doubt that there are many Welsh readers, whether fluent in the language or not, who would not identify closely with its content. Its historical anecdotes are familiar and those of contemporary experiences are equally so. The "Welsh Not" targeting young children in what should be the culturally comfortable environment of their childhood schools may be particularly shocking to those unfamiliar with it. In Wales, it is common knowledge.

There is not one native speaker of Gaulish in the whole of France, despite a revival of interest in the language. Nearly half the indigenous Welsh population speaks Welsh and the number grows daily. Both languages were heard by the Romans – only Welsh survives and it is very much alive. Who now conducts their lives in Latin?

Welsh is old but not an anachronism. It lives a thriving, useful, and healthy life in its own waters. Why the apparently casual and disrespectful pollution?

David Nelmes

Newport

Keir Starmer is displaying a naivety from an era long gone

To hear Keir Starmer say that reform of our electoral system is “not a priority” is beyond disappointing. It displays a naivety born in an era long gone! A significant majority of the electorate of this country has long lost faith in their ability to make their voices heard and the sickness of our system leaves it prey to loud extremist minorities, as happened in the Brexit campaign. We are now witnessing the mobilisation of extremist, intolerant views that are designed to empower yet another despicable minority!

Our country needs a parliament that reflects the views of the country, especially the young, many of whom are becoming increasingly dispirited as their concerns for the future are drowned out by the powerful voices of a small elite who make decisions based on personal wealth creation.

I suspect that Starmer is driven by praiseworthy values but I fear that he will never have the power or the means to see them implemented.

John Dillon

Birmingham