This Government lacks the vision to get the country back on track

SIR – After all this time, it is perhaps too much to expect Boris Johnson’s administration to adhere to conservative principles.

It has become rudderless, notwithstanding its correct stance on Ukraine. But even here, more is required than strong prime-ministerial rhetoric (from an incumbent who has no difficulty with words) and the expenditure (this time justified) of more public money by way of aid.

Many of our ministers appear to be controlled by the departments they purport to lead. Rather than decisionmaking in the national interest, we have been given a succession of eye-catching and costly initiatives, largely devoid of detail.

Meanwhile, our “Rolls-royce” Civil Service continues to work from home, producing complex rules and regulations aimed apparently at achieving some woke Nirvana. Andrew Newcombe QC

Combe Down, Somerset

SIR – The choking hold of Covid has finally weakened, and the advantages of Brexit can be achieved at long last.

What the country needs is mature behaviour from those at Westminster. Stop focusing on trivial things and start to accelerate away from the EU. Mick Ferrie

Mawnan Smith, Cornwall

SIR – If the Government sweeps away every scrap of EU red tape, it will have only cut the tip of the iceberg.

Below that, seemingly untouched, is the unnecessary regulation generated by Whitehall – especially the Home Office and Department of Health. Dave Alsop

Churchdown, Gloucestershire

SIR – There has been much talk of the cost of living crisis.

The NHS Test and Trace scheme was allocated £37 billion. This is equivalent to more than £500 for every man, woman and child in Britain, a sum that could have helped to alleviate the pain. Martin Baker

Tadworth, Surrey

SIR – Isn’t this the most top-down government since Tony Blair’s, while also being the least effective of all time?

Pamela Booker

Clipston, Northamptonshire

SIR – Boris Johnson has no principles in either his private life or his political life.

The only way the Conservatives will win the next general election is if he is replaced – preferably by Lord Frost. Sandy Pratt

Storrington, West Sussex

SIR – I attended the State Opening of Parliament yesterday and heard the Prince of Wales deliver the Queen’s Speech.

We should all take a moment to reflect on the steadfast role that our monarch plays in national life, and feel grateful to live under a constitutional monarchy within a free and democratic United Kingdom. Christopher Fraser London SW1