I thought Britain was supposed to be a democracy

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Where is the democracy here without the endorsement of the British people? (AFP via Getty Images)

We have now been told we have a third prime minister in almost as many weeks, the latest being elected by less than the one before.

I have also just watched the Chinese president be re-elected by the same people for another five years and they are a communist state. What’s the difference? Britain is supposed to be proud of being a democracy. Where is the democracy here without the endorsement of the British people?

How can this Conservative Party call themselves democrats? It’s an insult to all of us who support the electoral system.

Paul Atkins

Burntwood

Let the 1922 Committee have a crack at it

Surely, if – or more likely when – Rishi Sunak’s, premiership hits the rocks, to avoid six prime ministers in a little over six years, it would be wise to let the 18 members on the executive of the 1922 Committee to run the country.

It would be more democratic, as at least they’ve been voted into their positions.

Robert Boston

Kingshill

Two scenarios

Boris Johnson pulled out of the latest Tory leadership contest for two possible reasons. The first is that he didn’t get enough real nominations (as opposed to hopeful, imaginary or delusional ones) and couldn’t take the shame of being shown up as not as popular as he likes to think he is.

The second is that he got enough nominations to stand, and could probably have won if it had gone to the membership, but chose to do the decent thing for party and country and stand down so as not to cause division.

Which do we think is more likely?

Katharine Powell

Cheshire

Counting chickens

I fear that Rebecca Long-Bailey may be getting ahead of herself rather too hastily. The hoped for election victory that the current polls imply may be two years away, by which time the party in government may have persuaded the electorate to deny Labour their massive majority.

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Ms Long-Bailey would do well to remind herself of the excessive optimism under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership ahead of the 2019 general election. She may remember that the radical suggestions made too hastily by the previous leader contributed to the landslide majority of Johnson; when the electorate were “spooked” by a radical agenda that did not match with their dreams and aspirations.

Keir Starmer is right to proceed cautiously; at the very least, because the perilous economic circumstances make it hard to predict what promises will be able to be realised in practice.

Graham Powell

Cirencester