Priti Patel's listing of Extinction Rebellion as a terror threat is as alarming as it is comical

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We really are living in a dystopian post-truth society where logic is discarded as a nuisance, aren’t we? Priti Patel’s defence of the proscription of Extinction Rebellion as a “terror threat” is as alarming as it is bewildering and comical. It underlines the populist instincts of an administration that clearly wishes to abdicate its authority as a moral leader.

This, only a day before the government now considers cutting the air passenger duty on flights. I’ve been ashamed of my country for almost four years; it seems my feelings of shame and dejection will only increase as our government not only fails to implement the radical change needed to combat the climate emergency, but actually goes into reverse from an already shoddily weak position.

Sebastian Monblat
Sutton

A Megxit pawn

Am I the only person concerned that Archie is already a pawn in the Sussex marriage problems, being left with nannies in Vancouver Island, then with his mother as her husband attends a crisis meeting on their future at the palace. Maybe she wants another child, another pawn for the UK taxpayers to pay for.

What happens when their marriage breaks up and she sues for damages? All the fault of our dysfunctional monarchy.

Harry is a high-security risk due to his time in the army and his family are at risk too. This position is outrageous when 10 armed security guards are required to fly around the world at great expense, along with armoured vehicles.

Wendy Stokes
London

Reject Flybe request

The government should reject Flybe’s request to defer collection of air passenger duty. Indeed, this will be a test of Boris Johnson’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

Air travel between the UK’s major cities is in most cases an unnecessary luxury and is certainly unsustainable. It is, therefore, entirely appropriate that it should attract this additional tax, which exists precisely to give rail/road alternatives an “unfair” advantage.

Richard Greenwood
Bewdley

Devolution dramas

As Boris Johnson oversees the re-introduction of devolution in Northern Ireland, Nicola Sturgeon persists in claiming the prime minister seeks to undermine or even destroy Scottish devolution. Empirical logic from Ms Sturgeon or just another manufactured grievance?

Martin Redfern
Edinburgh

Extreme views

I see that the home secretary, Priti “vacant” Patel, chose to defend the police decision to include Extinction Rebellion on a list of extremist ideologies because such an assessment had to be based in terms of risk to the public, security risks and security threats.

Given that dogma-driven austerity has been linked to the loss of some thousands of British citizens’ lives, presumably, we should expect to see Conservatism added to that list in the very near future.

Julian Self
Wolverton, Milton Keynes

Scot referendum relief

As expected, Boris Johnson has replied in the negative to Nicola Sturgeon’s demand for a Section 30 order that would allow her to hold referendums whenever it suited her. This is good news. Scots can now proceed without the threat of a divisive and bitter contest and the prolonged instability it would bring.

The person most relieved by Johnson’s decision is, of course, Ms Sturgeon. The last thing she wants is to have to hold a referendum, under pressure from her followers, which she would be most unlikely to win. In a sense, this is a pity, since a second loss would have been more likely to shut down strife about the constitutional issue. Perhaps.

Jill Stephenson
Edinburgh

Insult to witches

I recently read your article in The Independent by Ceri Radford about becoming a witch for a week.

I’m not sure if this was meant to be funny or serious, but being a witch myself, I found it very offensive and extremely inaccurate.

First off, you don’t just “become” a witch in a week. This has been a life-long journey for a lot of us, and not an easy one. She makes a mockery out of what has been not only a life-changing path, and by life changing I am including those who have lost friends and family for our beliefs, lost jobs, and even lost their lives due to our practice and faith. But it has also been a very near and dear personal experience.

Stating that us witches do not take science into consideration is way off base. Magick is science unexplained. Most of us witches have very scientific minds. We are teachers, mums, dads, bankers, scientists, healers, intellectuals, students, political, peaceful and PhD recipients.

I feel you owe a very large community an apology for Ceri’s mockery and insults. No, we won’t hex you, but maybe you will think twice the next time you decide to diminish and trivialise what is considered one of the fastest-growing spiritual beliefs and religion (Wicca) in the world.

We are everywhere. Blessed be.

Lola Stardust
Spokane, Washington, USA