Enough is enough – there’s no room for racism in the UK

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

Thousands of counterprotesters demonstrated peacefully on Wednesday night ahead of expected anti-immigration action (PA )

I applaud The Independent for unequivocally stating that racism has no place in our diverse society in any of its forms. The British people have collectively sent a powerful and united message against racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, as well as abuse and harassment more generally.

Our universities, health and social care services rely on overseas workers who come here and make tremendous contributions. Racist behaviours are unrepresentative of the vast majority of people here. Time to stamp out racism whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

There’s only one sure-fire way to combat anti-vax rhetoric

There is a simple way to guarantee almost universal vaccine uptake. Full immunisation should be a mandatory requirement for school and nursery enrolment, with exceptions made only for the very few who have genuine medical reasons to avoid vaccination. Such a measure would ensure herd immunity, protecting the vulnerable, including newborn babies and the immunosuppressed.

This would require political will, and would need to be accompanied by a rigorous public information campaign aimed at dispelling the myths and misinformation propagated by a small number of people. I hope it will not take an epidemic of one of the old childhood killers to concentrate political and medical minds on the urgent need to combat poisonous and unscientific anti-vax rhetoric.

Dr Ellen Nolan

Telford

Food poverty is one of the greatest threats to the world’s children

I recently read Jabed Ahmed’s eye-opening article regarding the shocking reality of food poverty in developing countries. It’s heartbreaking to think that 181 million children are unable to have a balanced diet, with only 10 per cent of them being able to eat fruit and vegetables.

The reality of food poverty is something that people are often unaware of. This is why organisations such as the Borgen Project, of which I am a member, are so incredibly important.

The Borgen Project raises awareness of poverty in developing nations through its online blog and magazine, and also mobilises members of the public to contact their local MPs and enter an open dialogue about what those in power can do to reduce the extent of poverty.

If articles such as this one continue to be written, and organisations such as the Borgen Project continue their work, then hopefully awareness of food poverty will reach wider audiences and more people will call on their leaders to do something to rectify this issue.

Sue-Joyce Headon

Address supplied

Labour are already starting to prove themselves

Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper’s ability to command and mobilise the machinery of government across the police, the Home Office, the CPS and the courts so quickly after just four weeks in charge is remarkably impressive.

It proves that the Labour Party has got a grip on power and eyes focused on getting the job of running the country done.

A clear message has been sent out that they are tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime too.

Geoffrey Brooking

Hampshire