Times letters: Starmer's lukewarm support for US over Iran

Times

5 hours ago

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Sir, Your leading article ('Out of the Loop', Jun 24) states that the prime minister's lukewarm support for President Trump's campaign against Iran's nuclear weapons programme has resulted in Britain being ignored by the US. There are two problems with this. First, the US has a record of not consulting the UK, stretching back to its invasion of Grenada in 1984, if not beyond, and more recently its withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and the UN vote on Ukraine in February. Second, when the UK has stood shoulder to shoulder with the US — you cite Iraq and Libya inter alia — this has not always turned out particularly well. What the British government needs to do is cultivate a modicum of self-respect and offer its honest opinion. There is absolutely no point in the government trying to align itself with a US president as irrational and volatile as the present incumbent.Robert WrightCheltenham
Sir, Your leading article rightly describes Britain as being marginalised by the US. I think it is actually worse than being regarded as an unreliable ally, in that the present US administration no longer trusts the UK. Who can blame it? One can only hope that the King can help to reverse this during the state visit of the US president later this year.Terence BurbidgeLittle Gransden, Cambs
Sir, Unlike your leader writer, some of us appreciate a more circumspect approach to the blowhard in the White House. More independence, less subservience and a willingness to steer clear of bear traps make for a better approach to the so-called special relationship.Kevin QuinnMusselburgh, East Lothian
Sir, Paul Jackson (letter, Jun 24) suggests that Iran should offer to give up its nuclear programme if Israel does the same. Perhaps Iran might also offer to give up its call for Israel to be wiped off the map?Dr David MarksSouthport, Merseyside
Sir, William Hague, whom I respect, writes that the prospect of Iran having a nuclear arsenal in the long term is now more likely (comment, Jun 24). I disagree. It has been obvious that Iran is uninterested in negotiating a non-proliferation agreement. Which is the lesser of two evils? Negotiations have failed — but military action may thwart a future military catastrophe. Inaction would only have given the mullahs more breathing space to pursue their pernicious aims.Peter DannenbergLondon N20
Sir, In her denunciation of Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, particularly with regard to President Trump, Melanie Phillips seems to have forgotten who the PM is dealing with ('Starmer's constant evasiveness is disturbing', Jun 24). The whole world has had to get used to a president who gives assurances to other leaders and then changes his mind. I suggest he is doing the best he can with an incredibly unpredictable leader of the free world.Charles TownleyHove, E Sussex
Sir, I don't agree with Melanie Phillips about Sir Keir Starmer. In a world of noise, hype and overconfident leaders, he is a breath of fresh air. It is possible to lead quietly and without bluster.Beryl RosenbaumPinner, Middx
Sir, The inquest into the death of Bethan James identified deficiencies in her care that, sadly, are not uncommon ('The hospital wanted rid of us. Then our daughter died', Jun 21). Missed diagnostic opportunities were compounded by the lack of continuity that blights patient care. My generation, as junior medical staff, were directly responsible to a single consultant, supervised daily by more experienced residents and regular consultant ward rounds. Working dangerously long hours that have, justifiably, been reduced, we provided continuity of care. As a house surgeon I was contracted to 108 hours per week (40 working day, 68 on-call). Today's resident doctors are limited to 48 hours. The pendulum has swung from one extreme to the other, when there must be a happier medium.
The move to time-limited contracts has been achieved by 'cross-cover' between disciplines, the transfer of duties to professions allied to medicine, and shift patterns that divorce residents from an individual consultant and from the continuing care of patients. Even with superlative record-keeping, 'handovers' can never adequately pass on the information gleaned from daily observation by the same person, 'cross-cover' can place residents in the unenviable position of caring for patients outside their experience, and the dilution of responsibility risks 'spoiling the broth'. Should safety initiatives not restore meaningful continuity of care, preventable tragedies will continue.Phillip M Alderman, FRCS EdinConsultant orthopaedic surgeon (ret'd), Ponthir, Monmouthshire
Sir, Where can the prime minister find the extra £40 billion a year that is estimated to be needed for our security ('Britain's defence spending will rise to 5% of GDP', news, Jun 24)? I propose a crackdown on fraud and error which, according to the National Audit Office, cost taxpayers between £55 billion and £81 billion in 2023-24.Robert DuffieldCheltenham
Sir, The challenge by MPs to the plan to slash disability benefits gives the disabled community much-needed (and long-overdue) hope ('Labour rebels threaten to kill off welfare reform', Jun 24). For months we have been forced to listen to a government dead-set on selling these reforms as good for employment and productivity, but I remain unconvinced. The personal independence payments (Pip), which the government wants to cut, is not an out-of-work benefit, contrary to the messaging. It helps to offset the considerable extra costs associated with being disabled.
My Pip is a lifeline; without it I risk being poorer, sicker and less able to thrive in employment. And I'm not alone: new research from Sense, the national disability charity, indicates that two in five disabled people with complex needs will struggle financially if these cuts go ahead. This will not increase productivity or get more people into employment, it will simply push more disabled people into poverty. Disabled people like me should not be bearing the brunt of government cost-cutting. MPs must stand firm and reject this bill.Steven MorrisCampaigns officer, Sense
Sir, Alix Popham is on the right track (letter, Jun 23). All major sports now go on far too long. Top rugby players play in the Premiership, autumn internationals, the Six Nations and European rugby leagues. They then go on tour with the Lions or their country. Cricket is, with the various limited overs games, almost non-stop. Football used to end in April, with the only game played in May the Cup Final. We now have leagues going on into May with unnecessary play-offs; the players then go to places like the Far East instead of a decent break. Welfare must come before profit.Henry MabbettWinscombe, Somerset
Sir, Further to the announcement by Wes Streeting of a review of NHS maternity services after the recent scandals of dysfunctional maternity care (report and Thunderer, Jun 24), the essential structure missing in the present system is accountability and decisive leadership. The service needs 24-hour consultant obstetric supervision with on-call consultants available. This should also include monitoring and supervising the midwives with direct control from a medical team. The consultants should be based in the maternity unit to avoid delay and facilitate decision-making. The present structure is simply not fit for purpose.Dr Gordon Manson-BahrRet'd GP, Tharston, Norfolk
Sir, I disagree with the premise of James Marriott's article 'Not reading or writing would be unthinkable', Jun 24). Engineers and craftsmen are far too busy making things to spend an afternoon sitting in a chair reading a book. The time will come when I can no longer lift the tools of my trade — then I will be happy to sit and read many wonderful books.Ian RutterCookham Dean, Berks
Sir, Further to your report (Jun 23) on the Reform MP Rupert Lowe instructing his gamekeeper to shoot his 17-year-old labrador, I can think of no kinder end to the life of such an old and venerable dog. One of our old terriers also lost the use of her back legs and was in agony. My husband no longer keeps a gun and we asked for the help of the huntsman of our local pack of hounds. He came immediately and she was quickly dispatched by means of a humane killer. He kindly dug a hole for her burial too. We have received such help for our old horses too, over the years. I stand with them and give them a farewell handful of feed — it's the least I can do. Death via an injection is slower of course, and slower still for a horse, which on average weigh half a ton.Marian WatersPebworth, Warks
Sir, I am in favour of Norman Foster's plan for a memorial to the late Queen (report, Jun 24). It is fitting there will be an equestrian statue facing the Mall: the Queen will be remembered at every birthday parade and state visit looking at her troops. However, it can be improved. From being a generic horse I would like the horse she rides to be Burmese, the black police horse she rode at the birthday parade for 18 years.Christopher BellewLondon W6
Sir, Your obituary of Alfred Brendel (Jun 18; letter, Jun 19) mentions that his fingers were frequently bandaged. I once had a brief opportunity of meeting him and it transpired that he always used prewar sticking plaster tape, which was very thin and apparently only available from a supplier in East Germany. He claimed that once that supply stopped so would his playing.Peter FinemanBarrow Street, Wilts
Sir, I find issue with your leading article about young people's addiction to their devices ('Eyes Up', Jun 23). You comment that young people do not use their phone to read 'a reputable newspaper'. I can often be found scrolling through The Times mobile app keeping up with the news; this is when I'm not leafing through the physical paper, often to the despair of my parents, who expect me to be studying for my GCSEs.Max Denny (aged 15)Lowestoft, Suffolk
Sir, My favourite definition of a gentleman (letters, Jun 23 & 24) is someone who is able to change gear in the diminutive Austin 7 without getting their face slapped. Although it was last produced in 1939, up to 10,000 Austin 7s still exist worldwide so it is a skill that is still required.Colin McKenzieBrighton
Sir, My grandmother and mother used to say that the true sign of a gentleman was whether his shoes were polished.Victoria HawthornLondon SW15
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