No wonder the Tories are in disarray – the party has been hijacked by Ukip supporters

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I do wonder if we need a parallel public inquiry into the culture of Downing Street so we, as the public, can understand the mentality at the heart of government (PA)

Is it really so surprising that the Conservative Party is in terminal disarray with the party divided, the leadership – seemingly happy to flout the very rules they laid down for the rest of us – in chaos and presiding over an impending cost-of-living crisis that will take the country back into austerity.

If you go back to 2018 and early 2019, you will find concerns from traditional Conservatives over an influx of Ukip supporters into constituency associations.

When you realise that these were the very people whose judgement was that Brexit would be “good” for the country, what vanishingly small hope is there that the Conservative Party membership will make coherent and statesmanlike decisions as to their current or future leader?

Make no mistake, the Conservative party that once existed has been hijacked and anyone voting Conservative now or in future is in effect voting for Ukip.

Arthur Streatfield

Bath

Whoever allows himself to be whipped

Amid the current furore over the behaviour of political enforcers, otherwise known as party whips, I came across the quote: “Whoever allows himself to be whipped deserves to be whipped.” A sentiment I thoroughly endorse.

Despite being on the fringes of the political arena for almost 20 years, I have never allowed myself to be whipped, either physically or metaphorically. When I became political group leader for our district council some years ago, the first thing I did was to remove the whip.

I strongly believe that if a particular stance or course of action needs to be taken, it is incumbent upon the leader to persuade, not force, their political bedfellows to go along with it. As a leader, one should seek to achieve a level of respect, not grudging agreement.

When bullying and coercive tactics are used, which in my experience happens at every level of government, we are no better than the leaders of other countries that we criticise; Russia and China spring readily to mind.

Certainly, I have seen instances where those who toe the line, regardless of their skills, knowledge and experience, tend to get offered plum jobs. Personally, I would rather retain a level of integrity.

Linda Piggott-Vijeh

Combe St Nicholas

This spring, the public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic finally begins after over 150,000 deaths. Many families, like my own, who lost loved ones are seeking the truth and want justice for our loss.

But given allegations have surfaced of civil servants being asked to delete emails concerning parties at Downing Street and now MPs have complained about being blackmailed by whips, I do wonder if we need a parallel public inquiry into the culture of Downing Street so we, as the public, can understand the mentality at the heart of government.

Kartar Uppal

Sutton Coldfield

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Disengaged from reality

There is a serious threat of war on the border of Europe, there is danger of economic recession, Covid has not yet been fully controlled; but the main news in the UK is about a party-political power struggle.

Has Brexit disengaged us not just from Europe, but from reality?

Matt Minshall

Brittany, France

Cost to the taxpayer

What’s been overlooked in producing her report is that Sue Gray, and others involved in the inquiry, have been diverted from other more pressing matters – such as trying to sort out the mess that’s Brexit. This comes at a cost to the taxpayer.

The report must therefore be presented to parliament in its entirety if we are to get value for our money. Otherwise, Johnson will be guilty of “taxation without full presentation”.

Roger Hinds

Surrey

Delays due to squirrels

On the subject of announcements on trains, these may well be irritating to regular, frequent passengers (which I’m not) but I do treasure one priceless example.

Travelling home a few years ago from a meeting in London on a Chiltern line train, the journey was subject to delays. Then came the apologetic announcement, with the explanation that the delays were “due to squirrels”.

No further explanation followed and I have often wondered what subspecies of the merry little rodents could cause havoc in this way. I remember looking round at my fellow passengers as I was highly amused and expected a shared smile round the carriage, but no. Disappointingly, all the other passengers continued to look bored and focused on their phones. Perhaps they were just used to such bizarre bulletins.

Penny Little

Great Haseley, Oxfordshire