Why is Britain falling in line with US hypocrisy?

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

During his trip to the US the noble David Cameron made a speech and stated that the UK will continue to supply arms to Israel (Getty)

I wonder what happens to British prime ministers and officials when they visit the US?

Back in the days of Tony Blair in 2003, when he was all fired up to attack Iraq, his attorney general Peter Goldsmith pushed back and told Blair that the attack may be illegal. He advised Blair that he should wait for a second UN resolution before any attack.

Two months later, after a visit to the US, Goldsmith returned and had changed his mind.

Now we see Rishi Sunak’s government, realising the enormity of the bloody Israeli attack on Gaza, starting to ponder. Noting the increasing protests of the British people against the indiscriminate Israeli killing of thousands of Palestinians, they called for an end to the bombing, sending more aid to the starving people in Gaza and even decided to send a Royal Navy ship to help with the supply of food.

Then Britain’s foreign secretary, David Cameron, took a trip across the pond. While there, he states that the UK will continue to supply arms to Israel!

Sorry, what? The UK will “care” for the beleaguered Gazan people, while Israel continues to use military equipment supplied by the UK – isn’t that hypocrisy?

Barry Watson

Doncaster

Money for nothing

I am not a socialist at heart, but am well aware that the wealth gap is excessive.

The question should be asked: “Does paying such high salaries to executives actually result in a better run more profitable organisation?”

As a former MD of a private company, my short answer by observation is: no. Quite often the figureheads are not the innovators, and this is particularly true of larger organisations.

Many executives have never worked on the shop floor, or for minimum wage, so they think with a top-down mindset instead of bottom-up. Yet without staff, those in management have no business.

Most people build their businesses for the pride and satisfaction of doing so, not motivated by potential inordinate riches, a success which is rarely achieved by the majority of start-ups. There needs to be much higher taxes on the wealthy – with a sliding scale starting above the current top rate of tax.

During the 1950s, my grandparents – like many other entrepreneurs – were paying a top rate above 90 per cent but still lived an affluent lifestyle, and it didn’t dissuade them from building their businesses.

As it stands, the tax system is far too complicated, inefficient and costly to manage. Those within the 1 per cent spend more time and money evading taxes than paying even a fraction of the fair share – it has to change.

Graham Cooper

Address Supplied

We need to pay our doctors, while we still have them

Wes Streeting’s recent thoughts on getting the NHS back to working order make little reference to a glaring problem. 

At the moment, junior hospital doctors are paid ludicrously low wages. Their hours are ridiculous and the fear of reprisal regarding poor references means that they are still working dreadful hours.

We need to retain these doctors, not abuse them. I write this as a 75-year-old retired GP who worked for more than 40 years in the NHS. I know what I am talking about. Get back to the 2009 era of getting the best out of our NHS doctors, while we still have some.

John Redmond

Address Supplied

It can only happen in America!

If only that was true.

The conviction of James and Jennifer Crumbley, for the crimes of their son Ethan – and their sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison – is a start for parents in taking responsibility for how they raise their children, what they enable, and the consequences that occur.

As a teacher, I often saw parents who did not take responsibility for their children’s misdemeanours, rudeness, lack of effort or respect and frequently doubted what had happened. These were, in reality, minor offences of immature youths, but the sort of behaviour that would see them lose future jobs or friendships.

It should also be pointed out that most parents do a great job raising their children. Please: remember you are their parent, not their friend and you create the person they are. Be proud when you get it right.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne

A sobering thought

Well done, Olivia Petter, for a splendid article that makes one think about alcohol consumption from a different angle. I commented before, in early January, about the rise in sobriety and more sensible views around drinking, which, even with huge pub closures around the country, remains an entrenched part of British life.

Anyway, I resisted last time, but I have now weakened and must repeat the words of the late great Dean Martin: “I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.”

Robert Boston

Kent