Theresa May must answer calls for greater resources in the war on terror
SIR – It is sad that Theresa May has to resort to personal smears on the opposition leader in an attempt to garner votes (report, May 27).
Jeremy Corbyn is right that our involvement in Middle Eastern and North African wars has been a factor in breeding terrorism, even if the main responsibility, as ever, lies with the twisted thinking of the perpetrators themselves. The latest atrocity in Manchester will undoubtedly boost demands for “strong leadership” and for extra police and security resources – as well as demands for more internet data collection. Michael Miller
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
SIR – If Theresa May wants a big majority on June 8, she would do well not to make the same mistake as David Cameron in last year’s referendum of telling the electorate how awful things will be if she does not win.
Voters deserve more respect. John Pickering
Ipswich, Suffolk SIR – Many people have protested that the authorities failed to prevent the Manchester bombing despite being forewarned of the perpetrator’s radical tendencies (report, May 25).
How many of these people would also protest at any attempt by the same authorities to gain powers to imprison or deport people who have similar beliefs, but who have not been found guilty of any crime? Shaun Whyte
Alnmouth, Northumberland
SIR – The security services are said to be monitoring or have monitored some 23,000 potential jihadists.
If this is anywhere near true then the current monitoring system is clearly not fit for purpose. The only way to respond appropriately is for the Government to introduce internment of suspects and their associates. Fred Perrin
Clophill, Bedfordshire
SIR – We know from Northern Ireland that interning terror suspects increases the resentment that feeds the terrorist cause. We also know that there are many suspect individuals against whom there is insufficient evidence. But could the routine tagging of such individuals help?
After all, we allow magistrates to give the police power to tap telephones to obtain information, and tagging would only be an extension of this. Tagging does not in any way interfere with an individual’s power to go about all legitimate activities. William Kingston
Dublin
SIR – Day after day we are shown pictures of the flowers in St Ann’s Square, Manchester, surrounding the statue of Richard Cobden, the great Liberal, merchant and businessman.
It is, perhaps, appropriate to recall the following words of his: “Peace will come to earth when people have more to do with each other and governments less.” Richard Godlee
Wrexham