Crisis, what crisis?

SIR – Today’s febrile political atmosphere feels like that of 1978-79 during the final winter months of the Callaghan administration.

The ship of state has again lost its sails and is on a lee shore at the mercy of the elements. The crew ponder the navigator’s fate, while wreckers stand upon the shore and watch and wait.

I trust the Prime Minister is not planning, like Callaghan, a business trip to Guadeloupe this winter.

Owslebury, Hampshire

SIR – I voted Leave; but David Cameron arrogantly dismissed anything but a Remain majority and so put no contingency planning in place for a Leave vote, leading to the current shambolic disaster in waiting. He and his Government were guilty of gross negligence, a situation compounded by the incompetence of the current Prime Minister and hers.

The appointment of a second rater party apparatchik as Secretary of State for Defence is one example of how this administration is unravelling.

Whether Brexit ploughs ahead, is reversed, or we get a neo-marxist Corbyn government, we are heading for very troubled times.

And I am an optimist at heart.

London SW3

SIR – The Prime Minister calls for a “culture of respect”! Are people in all works of life, men and women, simply unable to understand how to behave?

Inappropriate behaviour is such an obvious fault. It should require no education. People with authority over others should be even more circumspect in their behaviour.

Has this country reached such a malaise that the obvious now needs to be advised? No wonder so many are held in such little regard.

Wincanton, Somerset

SIR – While I was selling poppies a woman said to me: “It’s freezing today, I hope you have your thermals on.”

My reply: “If you were a Member of Parliament I would report you.”

She laughed and put £10 in the bucket.

Inverness Major John Clark