Losing like a liberal

To The Guardian

Trump’s victory is being explained in terms of the political elite being out of touch with, and unrepresentative of, the ordinary people. But if those people are racist, misogynist, homophobic and bigoted, or are tolerant of those attitudes in their political leaders, then shouldn’t it be seen as a good thing they are not represented? It is better that those who make the important decisions don’t share those views, and instead work to change those attitudes where they are held by “the people”, than that they echo them and govern their country in that spirit. David Wall, Northampton

To The Guardian

Why are people on the Left not accepting democracy any more? Having lost Brexit, the challenges go to the courts; having lost out to Donald Trump in the US presidential election, the challenges are taken to the streets. For good or ill, the votes have to be respected or else we are all lost. The alternative is mob rule or dictatorship. Tim Raymond, Hythe, Kent

To The Guardian

Seems to me we are making too much of this death of liberalism argument. If an electorate chooses to vote for a racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, isolationist leader, that’s democracy for you. This does not mean these are now lost causes but simply that we have to work harder to defend them. It may take a long time, but we should have faith that respect for individual human rights will eventually prevail over bigotry. Bob Cozens, Hindhead, Surrey

To The Daily Telegraph

Populism = widespread opinions I don’t agree with. Popular = widespread opinions I do agree with. Dr John Lockley, Ampthill, Bedfordshire