Can voters have confidence in Liz Truss’s Cabinet of friends and allies?
SIR – Encouraging as it is to see greater diversity in some ways in the new Cabinet (report, September 7), there is a clear impression of a lack of cognitive diversity, as Liz Truss has chosen to surround herself with like-minded friends and allies.
The words “purge” and “clear-out” have cropped up extensively, and it is disheartening – while the country suffers, having endured weeks of government stagnation and selfindulgence by the Conservatives – to see the new Prime Minister use these critical appointments to settle scores and reward support rather than in the interests of the country.
Confidence in government and politics is at an all-time low, and this behaviour does nothing to restore it. Mark Mortimer
Blandford, Dorset
SIR – What a start. Liz Truss has appointed her close friend Thérèse Coffey as Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.
In 2019, when Boris Johnson was elected Conservative leader, Jeremy Hunt and his allies were relegated to the backbenches. Now Rishi Sunak, one of our best politicians, has suffered the same fate, along with those who supported him.
Is this really the way to unite an already divided party?
Elisabeth Darley-doran Shaftesbury, Dorset
SIR – It is inaccurate to describe the Leader of the House of Commons as a position in which Penny Mordaunt has “little to no chance of impressing her colleagues or raising her profile” (report, September 7).
She has every opportunity to do just that – as Jacob Rees-mogg did. If Ms Mordaunt fails to move upwards, that may say more about her than it does about her role.
Chris Whitehouse London SE1
SIR – The Prime Minister remarks that we face severe global headwinds. To make progress sailing against headwind it is necessary from time to time to tack to stay on course. Is it too much to hope that commentators can, or will, differentiate between tacking and a U-turn?
Sir Colin Shepherd
Monmouth, Herefordshire
SIR – I am aghast at the letters and articles lauding Boris Johnson.
He lied, and failed to help the poor and needy of this country. We became a laughing stock.
If people think his Covid strategy and Brexit agreement are achievements for which he should be remembered, then this country is in a very sorry state.
Alan Lloyd
Liverpool
SIR – Charisma is a fine thing but what is needed in the present crisis is a prime minister with the ability to focus and deliver.
This is what we have in Liz Truss. Roger Hopkins
Eastbourne, East Sussex