TWELVE months ago, had the government at Westminster forecast that it would do all it could to protect us from Covid-19 and to protect the NHS, but that by January 2021 the victims of the pandemic would reach 100000-plus, and that after the outlay of billions of pounds (totals we shall never discover!) the death rate would continue to rise, it would not have survived the inevitable, justifiable censure of the House.

While the Tory party is directly responsible for the unacceptable state of the anti-Covid campaign, there is no escape from the fact that the system of governing Britain cannot be maintained.

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The Prime Minister confesses to being fully responsible for the state of the danger we are now in. He and his principal lieutenants – Sunak, Hancock, Patel, Rees-Mogg and Gove – are simply, regrettably, not up to the standard of competence required.

Due to our parliamentary “system”, a product of centuries of blundering through with no “written” constitution to fall back upon, we are likely to be victims of that ideology-driven incompetence until its chief architect has had enough. He will either run his full term or, if he has his way, will choose the most opportune time for his party’s interest.

Is it really difficult to conclude that the current Westminster system, evolved but not designed, is not fit for purpose? That purpose is the administration best suited to the needs of the “people” – not those of one particular party, supported as it is now by some 900 unelected, party-chosen peers, a body unique in the 21st century to Britain.

It would be acceptable if it was efficient. It is not.

John Hamilton
Bearsden

IN relation to the world, the UK population is approximately 1/118. In relation to Covid-19 deaths the UK has a relation of approximately 1/20. In relation to good governance Boris Johnson is a 100% failure.

M Ross
Aviemore