Sir, – I am a regular reader of The Irish Times and admire the quality of the coverage of news and sport and the features, columns and analysis. I have often admired Fintan O’Toole for his contributions concerning sensitive and difficult subjects.
I do, however, believe that his opinion piece on the accession of Liz Truss was unbalanced and fell far short of his normal standards (“Liz Truss will make Johnson seem a political genius, May a mistress of empathy, Cameron a beacon of sincerity”, Opinion, September 5th).
What right does he have to describe the manner in which the British choose to select their prime minister as an “absurd succession”? While the mechanics of the Tory party choosing a leader are bizarre and antiquated, they are democratic, unlike a lot of other countries, and as a sovereign state Britain is entitled to have that system. Imagine the outrage if a columnist in the Daily Telegraph were to pen a similar column criticising the Irish political arrangements?
While there is no doubt that post-Brexit Britain has suffered from poor leadership, misguided attitudes towards the EU, a deluded sense of exceptionalism and a costly rejection of diplomacy and good foreign relations, there are still many positives of the British state.
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It is a friend to Ireland in many ways, such as free movement of people, allowing many Irish to study, work and settle in Britain unhindered and welcomed. It also supplies Ireland with energy, and if hardy came to hardy would commit its armed forces in Ireland’s defence.
The last part of the column was even worse when it constituted a personal attack on Liz Truss in a most unfair and uncomplimentary way. I think he should reflect on the language he used.
She would have been far from my choice but she is currently the British prime minister and we should wish her well, and as any fair-minded person would, give her a chance and see what she is made of. – Yours, etc,
REGGIE FERGUSON,
Enniskillen,
Co Fermanagh.
Sir, – The daily news from Downing Street from now on could end up like a weather forecast (“New leader dodges downpour but severe storms loom”, World, September 7th).
As the saying goes, it never rains but it pours! – Yours, etc,
TADHG McCARTHY,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – It is clear that the talent in the new British prime minister’s cabinet runs the gamut from A to B. – Yours, etc,
EAMON FARRELL,
Sandymount,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Now the British press has Liz maybe they can give Meghan a break! – Yours, etc,
FIONNUALA KELLY,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.