It’s about ‘what I say, not what I do’ with this government

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Rishi Sunak will present his Budget this week (PA)

Your editorial has the headline “Sunak will be judged by his actions, not by his words”. If only.

Politicians know, and rely on it, that the vast majority of the electorate act as if once something has been announced it has happened.

Rishi Sunak is all about window dressing. When the truth emerges, the shortcomings will be someone else’s fault. Blame the NHS (nice people but couldn’t run a bath). Blame the railway companies (despite regulators allowing millions to go to investor dividends). Blame the transport companies (nothing to do with Brexit, it’s a lack of cafes and showers).

Look a little below the surface and chronic labour shortages due to prior Tory cuts reveal themselves.

The truth is already out there. Journalists, industry level commentators, and those involved in the day-to-day of managing services know the results of previous actions. But it really doesn’t matter a fig. It’s all about what you say, not what you do.

Gary Wiltshire

Isle of Mull

Mask mandate

Returning to the UK in June this year after spending several years in NZ I am horrified at the lax approach to the wearing of masks in the UK.

I just don’t understand how such a simple act of protecting yourself and being considerate to others is ignored by so many in the UK.

I constantly hear about the Christmas that did not happen in 2020 and the anticipation of Christmas 2021.

With 40,000 cases a day can’t the public see that such a small act (of wearing a mask) could save Christmas or are the masses waiting yet again for the government to have to make the decision for them and possibly again too late!

K Lucas

Address supplied

Hunger strike

I read Sam Hancock’s report on Richard Ratcliffe with the same thought circling through my brain – how does that indomitable man still keep standing?

He and his wife Nazanin appear to be enmeshed in the same situation year after year.

They have their hopes built up momentarily, only for them to come crashing down

I am so sorry he feels he has no alternative but to go down this route.

Judith Daniels

Great Yarmouth

Naming conventions

The current government looks very likely to trim down and delay HS2.

Perhaps projects should be given more cuddly, cosy names, it might then be more difficult for governments to consign them to the bin.

Would it have been easier to defend and continue with these projects if it had been called “The rail system for the Millennium”?

Maybe John Rentoul could run one of his quizzes and get Independent readers to contribute.

Alastair Duncan

Winchester