Dominic Cummings is a combustible, dangerous adviser – and his Brexit slogan is disingenuous

I read John Rentoul’s editor’s letter about Alastair Campbell and Dominic Cummings and agree that they are two completely different beasts. The former did come in for some flak about Labour spin, but I have never doubted his commitment to the party – even if this has now gone awry under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, as the two men see the political situation differently.

Dominic Cummings is certainly a mover and a shaker, but in a combustible and to my mind dangerous way. He appears to relish the present turmoil, and I am not sure what he believes in. His latest slogan, “Get Brexit Done”, is just as disingenuous as his others, because this is only the “baby steps” in this long-running negotiation with the European Union.

Campbell was upfront; Cummings is the complete antithesis. He won’t be appearing on The Andrew Marr Show anytime soon, I should imagine, and if he did, he would soon cause mayhem.

Judith A. Daniels
Great Yarmouth

Truth to power

Boris Johnson’s suggestion that Supreme Court judges should be vetted and face “accountability” to politicians is an appalling and dangerously petulant response to their judgment not going his way. The political independence of the judiciary is of paramount importance. It is politicians who should be accountable to judges. Not vice versa!

Catherine Rowett MEP
Norwich

Against the law

Some are suggesting that the Supreme Court judges and those who want to see the prime minister investigated over payments to Jennifer Arcuri or other sordid allegations are “Remain motivated”. These critics reveal more about themselves than about Mr Johnson’s accusers.

The clear implication is that they think Leave supporters – themselves presumably included – would and indeed should have ignored these transgressions for political reasons. By regarding their cause as more important than the rule of law, they give us reason to fear for the country’s future if they get their way,

Adrian Cosker
Hitchin

The SNP’s doomed Corbyn gambit

Nicola Sturgeon’s idea of installing Jeremy Corbyn as a caretaker prime minister showcases either poor numeracy skills or huge optimism.

Since Ms Sturgeon was educated before the SNP came to power, we must assume she can calculate that Labour’s 247 MPs plus her 35 add up to 282 – nowhere near adequate to depose Boris Johnson, even with a few from the very minor parties joining her.

The nationalists’ leader must therefore have felt rather optimistic about the prospect of further MPs backing her. But Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson regards Mr Corbyn as too divisive and so won’t back the plan. Few of the independents who’ve recently left Labour will want to back Mr Corbyn, and it’s doubtful that many who’ve been ousted from or voluntarily left the Tories will want to give a far-left Labour leader the keys to Downing Street. 

Time perhaps for the politician who assures us her priority is education to refocus on her official role of managing our public services?

Martin Redfern
Edinburgh

Codgers vs blowhards

My habit is to read every word of The Independent, the Daily Mail and The Guardian. Consequently, I believe that I am armed with enough information to argue my case with the small group of old codgers when we meet in the local pub.

But I was very pleasantly surprised to read an informative letter from Beryl Wall in London who complained about the noise of a leaf blower and how inefficient it was to use on a windy day.

With all the troubles in the world, political upheaval in Britain and skulduggery by our ruling party this delightful lady found something different for me to offer the old codgers and, even better, made me laugh over my breakfast. 

Thank you Beryl. I will bring this subject up today with my cohorts to see if there are any remedies we can offer.

Keith Poole
Basingstoke