Letters: Who’d agree to a smart meter now that millions are known to be faulty?

Farmers’ struggle

SIR – In Gordon Rayner’s report (“Farmers’ protest ploughs into Westminster”, March 26), I was struck by a farmer’s clear expression of what Government policy is achieving: “They want us to become low-carbon producers to meet their green targets, but they are doing it by offshoring carbon production to other countries. It’s just unreal.”

Carbon dioxide emissions are currently judged to occur at the point of production, not use. So if I eat beans grown in Kenya, the associated emissions go to Kenya. Thus, Britain will achieve net zero in the way the farmer described: the planet will still suffer emissions, but not, according to these rules, from the UK.

The farmers understand this, but our politicians don’t – or they have an agenda that delivers neither true reduction of emissions nor food security.

Mark Scrimshaw
Northwood, Middlesex

Sacking Sunak

SIR – Sherelle Jacobs calls for Rishi Sunak to be replaced (Comment, March 26). However, there is not a single person – or leader – who could resolve the Tory Party’s current woes. 

It is not a change of prime minister that is required, but a clear-out of a large number of MPs who sit on the Conservative benches, are far from conservative and do not understand the meaning of loyalty. All of our last three prime ministers, even Liz Truss, were thwarted in their ambitions by a party at war with itself.

Reform UK and the Tories must combine and use the next five years in opposition to gather a united and loyal group of truly conservative candidates to develop truly conservative policies.

Barry Goldman
Storrington, West Sussex

SIR – I am writing regarding your report, “Mordaunt has made 40 trips to Tory associations events since Sunak became PM” (March 22).

In fact, I have made more than 70 such visits, excluding those in a ministerial capacity and any fundraising and campaigning organised by Conservative Campaign Headquarters. I am pleased to have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for our prospective candidates, incumbent MPs and local associations, and I intend to continue such visits in the coming weeks and months. I’ll be right there with them, campaigning on the doorstep and lending my support to ensure these fine people secure their seats in Parliament.

My motivation for doing so is straightforward: to support the campaign frontline against the threat of a Labour government.

Should Labour get back into power, we can expect to see the undermining of Nato via an EU defence pact, the unpicking of decades of trades-union reform, the clobbering of our businesses by new red tape and greater taxation, the erosion of our educational standards, cuts to the NHS budget, and for all the nonsense and maladministration so evident in Wales and London to be inflicted on the British people further – and worse.

Penny Mordaunt MP (Con)
Leader of the House of Commons
London SW1

If the hat fits

SIR – Nigel Dickenson (Letters, March 26) suggests we “fight back” with stylish headgear on Thursday’s National Wear a Hat Day. My problem is that my son, a seasoned traveller, always returns with a hat for me. So should I go for the Turkish fez, the Bedouin keffiyeh or the Russian ushanka?

Pete Gardner
Hydestile, Surrey

Dependence on China

SIR – The UK depends on China for its economic survival (“Beijing’s threats must be firmly challenged”, Leading Article, March 26). 

Beijing has infiltrated our political class, has a major presence in academia (with our universities receiving a large part of their income from Chinese students) and strong ties to senior business figures, with bilateral trade worth more than £100 billion a year. 

China – aka the Chinese Communist Party – either controls or is a minority shareholder in more than 200 UK companies, to the tune of £134 billion. In addition, it has invested billions in key infrastructure: UK Power Networks, Heathrow Airport, Northumbrian Water and Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant. 

How, then, can talk by Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, about tough sanctions be reconciled with the fact that China has the UK over a barrel?

John Barker
Prestbury, Cheshire

Sargent at the Tate

SIR – Your reprint (March 26) of an article announcing the opening of a Sargent Gallery at the Tate in 1926, funded by the famous art dealer Sir Joseph Duveen, brought to mind its closure in the 1970s – a betrayal of both the donor and the artist, of whom I am a great-nephew.

The Tate claimed to have sought permission to dismantle the gallery from the Duveen trustees, whoever they may be, but its closure led to a patchy representation of Sargent’s art thereafter. 

The present highly successful Sargent and Fashion exhibition at Tate Britain is no substitute for permanent representation, which was Sir Joseph’s aim. He was an admirer and a collector of Sargent’s pictures.

Richard Ormond
London N6

Here’s to Hadrian

SIR – Bryony Gordon reports on a study that reveals how living near a heritage site can increase wellbeing (“You don’t have to live in an idyllic cottage in the Cotswolds to be happy”, Features, March 25). 

I live in a hamlet on Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria – the Vallum runs through a field beyond the end of my garden. Maybe that’s why, at the bar in our local cricket club on a Friday night, we never fail to agree how lucky we are to live in such a happy place.

Judy Boys-Stones
Brampton, Cumbria

Britain must reindustrialise if it is to compete

SIR – How refreshing to read a Conservative commentator such as Nick Timothy stating that Britain’s reliance on services, and neglect of manufacturing, has resulted in a bankrupt economic model, a country deep in debt and an urgent corresponding need to reindustrialise (“Our economic model is bust. Being a services superpower isn’t enough”, Comment, March 25). 

For decades, politicians have been saying that it didn’t matter where goods were made, so long as they are designed here. Predictably, however, the people who make them for us now design them as well. 

It must surely be obvious that, for economic and political reasons, manufacturing is a key part of our economy. The private sector must now step up and make crucial decisions concerning Britain’s reindustrialisation, with the support – but not the control – of government. 

Sir Michael Pepper
Cambridge

The Labour threat to Church music traditions 

SIR – Regarding the Labour Party’s plans to charge VAT on school fees (Letters, March 26), the Church of England should perhaps be made aware of worrying unintended consequences.

Most choir schools subsidise scholarships from the fees of non-choir pupils. As these schools are often small, the tax would pose a serious threat to the great tradition of cathedral music.

I know of a number of other independent schools that also subsidise music for young people in their area and award scholarships to local churches.

This is a serious concern in the music community, and the Church should suggest that Labour offsets VAT in relation to scholarships and support for church music.

Rev Robert Tickle
Harrold, Bedfordshire 

SIR – Before retiring last year, I was the headmaster of two HMC schools and chair of the board of governors at two private schools. Like many, I am deeply disappointed – but not surprised – by Labour’s stated plan to introduce VAT on private school fees.

We should, as a society, do everything in our power to give young people the very best education we can, as it has proved to be the bedrock of almost every good thing this world has to offer. All that Labour’s policy will do is narrow the overall educational provision, reduce state-private partnerships, deny many the chance of bursaries and scholarships, and put private education further out of reach for many less well-off pupils. 

And all in the name of raising more money for state schools – an indubitably faulty calculation.

John Richardson
Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire

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