Boost the navy

The government must be forced into diverting the ludicrous amount of money set aside for foreign aid to more important purposes.

Our slow response to our territories in the West Indies shows how the Royal Navy is virtually inoperable, which, when we are back as a world trading power once more after Brexit, will be disastrous.

We need effective armed forces to protect our commercial and trading interests throughout the world. That will be happening all too soon and, if we cannot defend our merchant ships and aircraft, then we will suffer accordingly.

By using funds which have been shown to be being used for sometimes absurd purposes in nations that have no need of them, the government is not acting in the country’s best interests.

It is time that they got a grip.

ANDREW H N GRAY

Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh