Priti Patel is setting a terrible example to the younger generation

Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

The home secretary, Priti Patel, has faced criticism over her asylum proposals (Getty Images)

As an inevitable outcome of the climate crisis, my grandchildren will have to respond with compassion and understanding to the mass movement of people seeking safety from places of environmental, economic and political distress. 

In readiness for a future which is not ours but theirs, should we not be laying responsible foundations for them based on a long term, global and empathetic awareness of what lies ahead rather than the short term, insular and provocative gestures being made by our current home secretary, Priti Patel.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Government lexicon

To describe an event or series of unfortunate events as a “cock-up” is part of our lexicon. It can cover everything from forgetting a bit if your child’s PE kit to forgetting to book the taxi to the airport. 

Apologies usually come with the phrase “a bit of a cock-up on the old catering front”; that is something fairly benign which can be fixed. 

However, when faced with a body which “cocks up” just about every decision or course of action it takes; one that shows serial incompetency without apology or acceptance of blame, raises these cock-ups to a new, frightening level – thus we have the “Hancock-ups”. 

So when something then becomes an almighty Hancock-up, it’s time to lock the doors and hide under the duvet. Oh hang on, isn’t the Boris Johnson government an almighty Hancock-up?

Kate Hall

Leeds

A choice of sorts

The blinkin' obvious way to stop Covid-19 spreading even more, is to fine everyone who doesn't wear a mask indoors or on public transport or observe two-metre social-distancing.

No exceptions to mask wearing for anyone, who wishes to mingle, should be permitted, including those now exempt and all staff in bars, shops etc.

Boris Johnson and his government  have to decide. Do they want four more years of this, with them inevitably losing their parliamentary seats or do they want to save us all before it is too late?

The choice is theirs!

Edward Lyon

Address supplied

Many of your letters and contributors reflect on the incompetence of the current government. 

A similar situation exists in the US but at least their citizens have a chance to change things soon whereas we are faced with years of this shambolic crew. 

As long as our respective elective systems allow for unlimited financial resources to be channelled into influencing the electorate via the likes of social media, we will end up with the type of useless characters as leaders we currently have. 

G Forward

Stirling

Having agreed with Arthur Streatfield’s assessment of our inept government’s performance, especially on Covid-19 and Brexit, he sadly doesn’t go far enough in his suggested solution (Get Boris out, Letters,)

"A completely new government” … yes, but "I don’t argue for another election” … no.

The only way to usher in a new government is another election. The current holders of office are too complicit in watching the tragedies unfolding, as is the majority of their backbenchers, for "a completely new government” to emerge from this dross.

Yes, it would be very difficult to force and hold a general election during this coronavirus crisis, but we should face up to the task.

Eddie Dougall

Bury St Edmunds

No substitute

I was honoured by a US public school district representative calling me offering me a long-term substitute teacher (ST) middle school assignment beginning in mid-October. 

The reality of the Covid-19 is real for my 68-year-old mind, when thinking about returning to my favourite “high needs” school. 

Many STs are younger and possibly have no health insurance, with some schools not offering STs benefits like insurance. Our politicians should be sensitive to the diminishing and desperate line of STs in creating their second Covid-19 stimulus package.

Does UK take care of their subs?

Mike Sawyer

Denver