The Conservatives have made a reasonable stab at mansplaining the recent by-election outcomes and their disastrous losses. While they cling grimly to the success in Boris’s old seat, they all know that the Ulez vote made this a single issue event.
Out in the sticks the tables have been turned and huge swings away from hefty Tory majorities suggests a natural “ennui” so deep that the “great unwashed” will vote for a lettuce rather than a Conservative candidate.
The writing’s on the wall for the Tories and although this might look good for Labour it seems our national political compass is spinning off its axis. While Sir Kier Starmer may assume he’s destined for the hot seat I’m feeling those dark horses, the Lib Dems, are creeping into our consciousnesses again.
Labour needs to set out a clear, understandable trajectory to voters if they wish to avoid a coalition. Moreover, if they’re not careful some voters may stick with the devil they know and choose the Tories if they can’t fathom out what Labour stands for anymore. The clock is ticking.
Steve Mackinder
Denver, Norfolk
Show me the money
This week the Bibby Stockholm – the barge designed to hold asylum seekers – arrived in Dorset, ready to incarcerate people who have committed no crime and are running from war, exploitation and climate change. The government is paying a private company £1.6bn to provide basic accommodation, healthcare and catering to refugees who will be under 24-hour surveillance.
In addition, we discovered that the royal family’s grant will go up from £86m to £125m, and that a potential £20bn could be set aside to back nuclear technology.
All this has happened as junior doctors and consultants on strike were told there was simply “no money” to pay them a decent wage that reflected their skills and responsibilities.
Sasha Simic
London
Defra not playing ball
Last week, it was revealed in a freedom of information request by international campaign group, Nature 2030, that Defra had refused a request to reveal how much taxpayer money has been used for a consultation on the design of a Deposit Return Scheme for England and Northern Ireland.
When asked to provide the total financial cost to conduct the whole consultation process and the total hours spent by the employees, the government failed to provide any figure. Instead, the department claimed it had “no knowledge of the information requested”, all whilst the cost of living crisis rages on.
The consultation in question was one that was ignored by the government. The government instead backtracked on a manifesto promise to include glass within the scheme along with plastic and aluminium, an approach which if adhered to would provide the most comprehensive protections for the environment and an approach that was supported by industry giants such as Diageo, Tesco, Danone and more.
It is more than convenient that Defra are unable to reveal the cost of a consultation which they evidentially ignored.
It’s clear why neither businesses, campaigners or the public have confidence in the government to protect our planet and give industry the platform to thrive and innovate when the government continue to walk blindly into the abyss. I call on Defra to consider the cost to the taxpayer, industry and the environment which their various blunders are inflicting.
Dominic Dyer
Chair of Nature 2030
Cameron deserves praise
I read David Cameron’s column with interest. I’m not usually prone to giving plaudits to ex-Tory prime ministers, as with the last two incumbents, whose altruistic legacies we are waiting for with bated breath.
I would make an exception in this regard though, because this does appear to be an issue very close to Cameron’s heart and that of so many people. Not a month goes by it seems when you don’t hear the dire news of someone succumbing to this alienating and debilitating condition.
The sourcing of these drugs to slow down, if not cure this condition, is a huge step forward and one that should not be underestimated. Cameron is correct that a certain resignation had set in, that this disease could not be beaten or even alleviated for its many sufferers. But we discount medical science at our peril, there is though the caveat to show caution as with any medication, who it suits and helps is not across the board.
It is a horrible and cruel disease and I for one welcome his proactive input at Alzheimer’s Research UK, I’m sure the impact the charity is making holds more innate satisfaction for him than the political role he previously held.
Judith A Daniels
Norfolk
Clean air conundrum
We already knew that the Tories opposed clean water but the Uxbridge and South Ruislip election has now shown that they oppose clean air too. What’s more depressing is the fact that it seems to have proved to be a vote winner.
Neil Baird
Bristol
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