The party and the Party

SIR – I said to myself: I must watch the BBC one o’clock news to catch up on the virtual meeting between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden. After all, the stakes are high as Mr Putin amasses almost 100,000 Russian troops on the Ukraine border.

Yet the BBC didn’t appear to agree, since there was no mention of the threat to peace or the summit. I learnt a lot, though, about a Christmas party which may or may not have happened. Nicholas Nelson

Iwerne Minster, Dorset

SIR – I have been a Tory voter all my adult life and am disappointed at the goings on in Downing Street.

My husband was in a care home last year. Our daughters were not allowed to visit their father and I was not allowed to see him at Christmas.

He died in February. I was not allowed to be with him. We had been married for 61 years.

How do you think I will vote in the next general election?

Norma Heather

Yateley, Hampshire

SIR – If there was a Downing Street party last Christmas, I wonder how Boris Johnson will face the Queen at his next audience with her.

It was dreadful to see her sitting on her own at the funeral of her husband, but we would expect nothing else from her as she unfailingly does the right thing.

She has the right to expect that her Government should do the same. Janet Hart

Newark, Nottinghamshire

SIR – I have voted Conservative almost all my life. Watching Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday left me in dismay.

Any military commander, leader of industry or chief executive whose organisation was consistently such a shambles would be dismissed. Claiming ignorance of a particular situation would not be an excuse. Passing the buck downwards is merely dishonourable.

It is absurd that Boris Johnson has only just asked the Cabinet Secretary to investigate the claims of a party at Downing Street. Why didn’t he demand an immediate and detailed account last week? If he doesn’t yet know the facts, his judgment and leadership are severely wanting.

He bears responsibility for the ethos and behaviour of his team. It clear that No10 under Mr Johnson is not fit for purpose. In not accepting this responsibility, he tars all those who continue to support him with the same dishonourable brush.

Maj Gen the Rev Morgan Llewellyn Crickhowell, Brecknockshire

SIR – I have been a supporter of Boris Johnson but sadly feel he must now be replaced as soon as possible.

We need a PM who can quickly take control of the civil and public services, and implement the Government’s policies on levelling up and immigration. Such moves would resonate well in the so-called Red Wall seats and could save us from a Labour victory at the next election.

My personal choice of successor would be Michael Gove. We need somebody with a record of effectiveness in government.

Julan Tope

Portishead, Somerset

SIR – Our Prime Minister and his Government have hit a brick wall. Deirdre Lay

Cranleigh, Surrey

SIR – Presumably Boris Johnson will next be in trouble for allowing No 10 staff to go to work when they should have been having a party.

David Burke

Chobham, Surrey