Boris Johnson is again playing to the most nativist instincts of his party’s right wing

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

The prime minister’s recent remarks on Ukraine and Brexit were offensive to Remainers (PA Wire)

The “instinct” for freedom may well be the same in Britain as it is in the Ukraine but Boris Johnson’s should not conflate that with our Brexit decision. His twisted version, spelt out in Blackpool over the weekend, has more to do with him playing to the most base nativist instincts of his party’s right wing than upholding any noble principle.

His remarks offensive to almost half of the population who chose to vote Remain, including a majority in two of the United Kingdom’s home nations, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They also insult our European neighbours, many of whom, like Ukraine, but also the likes of Poland, Finland and the Baltic states, have history defined by their struggle against dominant states and are now, or seek to be, members of the EU in order strengthen not weaken their freedom and democracy.

Paul Dolan

Cheshire

Boris Johnson’s comparison of Ukraine’s struggle against the Russian invasion with UK citizens choosing to vote for Brexit was contemptible but hardly unexpected.

The people of Ukraine are fighting for their lives, and to draw a parallel with voting to leave the European Union, is disgraceful and an insult to those people. Ironically, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky wants his nation to join the EU.

Voting in a free and fair referendum isn’t in any way comparable with risking your life to defend your country against invasion and Johnson should withdraw his contemptible comments and apologise.

Alex Orr

Edinburgh

Great heavens above! Boris Johnson has made “insulting and insensitive” comments! Never mind, I’m sure a quick flight to Kyiv for a photoshoot will sort it all out. It wouldn’t do to let a previous PM steal a march on him – and even, perhaps, gain the popular support that another previous PM (reputed to be this one’s ‘hero’) once enjoyed.

It’s only what he’s done before to half a world religion, and an entire continent. I am sure I can’t be alone in feeling that he is quite possibly the worst person to be in charge of this country at the moment – although, admittedly, it’s a close field.

Katharine Powell

London

Covid deaths continue

Many hundreds of people a week are still dying of Covid. Johnson may ignore these deaths as he makes his fruitless journey to Saudi Arabia, but the children of the parents and grandparents who have died won’t.

Testing must go on so we can see what is happening and analyse the pandemic. Free tests must continue to reduce the spread. And must increase the coverage!

Your readers should ask their MPs to demand effective management of this disease.

Janet Salmon

London

Our environment is also a victim of war

The horrid images of destruction in Ukraine are searing indictment of the UN’s ineptitude to act with greater urgency to mitigate the risks of armed conflicts and their impacts on our health and environment. Also, they expose the fallacious arguments of leading authorities in climate change, peace building, conflict resolution and human rights.

Our environment is also a victim of war, it is destroyed and wounded. Water and air have been polluted, crops torched, fertile soil and forests poisoned and animals decimated. Hasn’t time come to reformulate the mechanisms and formula of all UN agencies in these complex and challenging times?

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

Sleep well at night?

In theory I should be able to sleep well at night in the knowledge that the home secretary is doing her utmost to protect me and my family from evil Ukrainian mothers and toddlers from smuggling in vials of nerve agents. I am further soothed by the words of our exceedingly wealthy chancellor that I shouldn’t be afraid of the rapidly rising cost of living. On top of that, having a trustworthy capable leader at the helm is the icing on the cake, even if he’s eaten it already.

G Forward

Stirling