No 10 parties confirm voters’ worst fears about Britain’s ruling class
SIR – The parties at Downing Street are indicative of a more profound problem.
At the start of the pandemic, the Behavioural Insights Team was concerned as to whether the British public would comply with strict regulations. In this, it showed its ignorance: Britain is a strongly law-abiding nation. However, we have a ruling class that has demonstrated, again and again, that it considers itself to be above the law.
We must challenge this entire group, not just to learn some humility, but also to recognise that we, the public, will enforce consequences. Linda Hughes
Newton Abbot, Devon
SIR – Boris Johnson, Novak Djokovic and Prince Andrew have something in common. They believe they are so exceptional that rules applying to everyone else do not apply to them. They are getting or will get their comeuppance.
Sandy Pratt
Storrington, West Sussex
SIR – I was quite prepared to support Boris Johnson in the brouhaha over drinks in the Downing Street garden. Let’s be honest: who hasn’t pushed the boundaries during lockdown?
However, No 10 partying on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral (report, January 14) has crossed the line. I can no longer support this Government, and Mr Johnson must go. To disrespect the rules is one thing; to disrespect the Queen is quite another. Jonny Dart
Norton-sub-Hamdon, Somerset
SIR – Allister Heath (Comment, January 13) is right: the garden party at No 10 is simply the final straw. The real problem with Boris Johnson is that he has squandered the exciting opportunities that Brexit and a huge majority gave him.
When he won the 2019 general election, he appeared to think that his work was done. In fact, that was when his work began.
It seems to me now that Mr Johnson’s ambitions were all about personal glory: being Prime Minister was just one step towards becoming “World King”. He has forgotten (or more likely never cared) that being PM is about service over self – not the other way round.
Anthony Singlehurst
London SE11
SIR – I don’t like Boris Johnson, but I voted for him to lead the Conservative Party so that he could finish the job of Brexit.
A host of changes to our tax and regulatory systems are required so that Britain can rebound from the Brexit (and now Covid) “hit” and create the wealth needed to pay for the huge social and environmental costs on the horizon.
Mr Johnson led us into Brexit with many promises. He is still the right person to do the job, and he must be held to it. He needs to recreate the feeling of confidence that he once gave