SIR – Jeremy Corbyn opines that Russian gangsters might have been responsible for the use of a nerve agent in Salisbury.
I wonder where he draws the line between the Russian authorities and gangsters. How would he define the “little green men” in Ukraine?
It may seem contradictory that Mr Corbyn and Momentum should be so supportive of modern Russia which, far from being the sort of communist state that they espouse, is a capitalist dictatorship. The clue lies in their past associations with terrorists and rogue states of various stripes, all inimical to our values.
Their elastic principles are focused on undermining and overturning the democratic way of life to which we are accustomed, in order to replace it with their own warped and outdated idea of a totalitarian utopia. Sadly there is no plausible explanation for their behaviour, other than that they look upon us as the enemy. Voters beware!
M R Jackson
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
SIR – The overwhelming evidence for Russia’s involvement in the nerve agent attack here in Salisbury is enough to convince our allies Germany, France and the United States, but not, it seems, the leader of the Opposition.
Jeremy Corbyn’s shameful display of politicising a national threat shows deplorable judgment and absence of statesmanship. He should resign immediately.
Julia Sharpe
Salisbury, Wiltshire
SIR – I really do believe that the country should listen to Jeremy Corbyn’s utterances on the subject of the alleged poison attack in Salisbury.
After all, he may well have access to the inside track on the subject.
Nick Armstrong
Basingstoke, Hampshire
SIR – As diplomatic tensions grow between Britain and its Western allies and Russia, Alex Salmond insists that no one tells him what to say on his Russia Today show. Yet does he think that if he expressed the same highly critical views of Moscow regarding the chemical attacks in Salisbury as shared by Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon, his Russia Today show would continue to be aired?
Martin Redfern
Edinburgh
SIR – If Theresa May had approached Brexit negotiations with the same clarity of mind shown this week over the deepening Russia crisis her opinion poll rating rise would have reflected this a lot earlier.
Why should she fear the Russian Federation, which has deployed chemical weapons against us, less than the federalist EU, which doesn’t have such capabilities?
C M Penney
Taunton, Somerset
SIR – Trident certainly helps me sleep.
David Parker
High Halden, Kent
On cold, windless days
SIR – It is true that electricity was exported to France during the recent cold snap via one of our interconnectors (“ ‘Beast from the East’ has exposed our energy failings”, report, March 13). However, the UK also imported power from France during the same period.
The interconnector, a subsea cable that enables the import and export of large volumes of electricity, behaved in exactly the way it was designed to: electricity flowed in the direction it was needed most.
By linking national energy systems, interconnectors help to smooth hourly variations in generation across Europe. This will become increasingly important with the rapid growth of renewable energy generation.
For example, our planned link to Norway, expected to be operational by 2021, will allow Norwegian hydro to fill the energy gap when the sun isn’t shining and there is little or no wind in the UK. Conversely, on very sunny and windy days in Britain, excess power production can be stored in Norwegian lakes using hydro storage.
The British energy system is evolving at an unprecedented pace, bringing with it new technologies and tools that will better meet the needs of consumers. But this evolution does not replace the need for a flexible energy mix in which new and more traditional technologies sit side by side.
Interconnectors are a win-win part of the mix; they unlock our ability to benefit from the different characteristics of neighbouring markets, while enabling a faster transition to the smarter and more sustainable energy system of tomorrow.
Jon Butterworth
President and COO of Global Transmission, National Grid Ventures
Solihull
The cost of giving up the use of honest cash
SIR – Jon Levenson (Letters, March 16) is wrong to say that only criminals and tax cheats would lose out from a cashless society.
Honest people would see prices rise, as the cost to small business would be considerable. It would also require extensive broadband connectivity throughout the country, which we do not yet have.
Ralph Anderson
Oxford
SIR – I am not a criminal or a tax cheat, but I still don’t want the Government to scrutinise my every action.
Paying for things with cash is the one last tiny snook we can cock against today’s Orwellian surveillance and control.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Northwood, Middlesex
SIR – Mr Levenson, the director of Go Cashless, obviously has a cause to highlight but I object to him classing me as a tax evader or a criminal.
Using cash helps me to keep better control of my expenditure than contactless payments ever could. Minimising digital transactions also reduces my exposure to cyber-crime.
There are many good reasons to keep using cash and nearly all of them are honest.
Roger Gentry
Sutton-at-Hone, Kent
SIR – If society goes completely cashless we will be even more reliant on the internet. What will then happen when the system gets hacked or otherwise fatally compromised ?
It is essential that cash payments always remain an option.
William Cook
Blandford, Dorset
SIR – Heather Owen (Letters, March 16) expresses concern about the future of the new £5 and £10 notes in a plastic-free society. It is, however, unlikely that you will find bank notes strewn along our beaches.
Nigel Hodder
Milton Abbas, Dorset
Its not the job of bees to pollinate cereals
SIR – As an experienced beekeeper I often see repeated the incorrect statement that bees are vital to the survival of mankind (“Cut back on mowing to get your lawn buzzing”, report, March 15).
The reported reduction in the world bee population is a cause of concern, but this is for a number of other reasons.
The crops that form the staples of the worldwide human diet – wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, rye – are all wind pollinated. Their production has nothing to do with bees.
Even among the crops that are pollinated by bees, it is crucial to remember that bees are not the only insects that are involved in pollination. Moths, hoverflies, wasps, ants and a host of other insects also play a vital role in the process and in the production of fruit and seeds.
Ian Wallace
Whitley Bay, Northumberland
A bank’s deaf ear
SIR – I would be interested to see the rest of Polly Paterson’s list of worst performers among banks and institutions with which she has tried to communicate following a family bereavement (Letters, March 14).
Barclays would be head of my list too. My experience of their bereavement department has been appalling. Waiting 72 minutes for a phone call to be answered was my record, then, once contact was made, came a wait of over 14 working days for action to be taken on my request.
With the use of new technology, it is relatively difficult to make effective telephone contact with any of the big institutions, and they seem unable to carry out a simple action (such as a name change on a bill) expeditiously.
My league table is not quite complete, but so far only two large players have met the criteria of good consumer service. The rest are nowhere.
Priscilla Hudson
Wolverhampton
Benches before books
SIR – A strategic placement of memorial benches (Letters, March 16) can be a great help to those with mobility problems.
Some years ago I was delighted to find that by going from bench to bench I could actually walk round the whole lake at my local nature reserve. To my great disappointment two of the benches were soon removed, not to be replaced.
I was told that there were maintenance problems and that people were being encouraged instead to donate money to the library in the public centre for the reserve. A book in the centre did not have the same appeal for me as a bench from which to observe nature first hand.
Heather Burnet
North Hykeham, Lincolnshire
SIR – As contented sponsors of a plaque on Swanage Pier, it is a joy to collect the polish, toothbrush and cloth from the gateman and give our plaque its annual spring clean.
The polishing kit is free, and the pier admission charge is quite acceptable, shown under the description “strolling”.
Mary and David Allestree
Derby
Star ‘Big Issue’ seller
SIR – There is one particular Big Issue vendor (Letters, March 16) who brightens up the day for many, and certainly attracts both admiration and respect from all who walk along Winchester High Street.
He switched on the Christmas lights during the annual ceremony last year, and has appeared in public with the Mayor.
Much to his credit, he speaks a number of languages to greet the many visitors from overseas. He engages with people, he reaches out without intimidation.
Mention the High Street Big Issue vendor to anyone familiar with Winchester and an admiring smile will accompany positive comments.
Simon Lever
Winchester, Hampshire
Calming veg prep
sir – Diana White (Letters, March 15) calmed her nervous fellow-jurors with her knitting.
A friend, who had to rush her mother to A&E on Christmas Eve, calmed her own nerves by having the foresight to take with her a large bag of brussels sprouts and a kitchen knife.
Susan Cox
Old Alresford, Hampshire
Slower slow lane
SIR – In our village we now have a speed bump that has potholes.
Is this the ultimate speed deterrent?
Patricia Antlett
Burton, Denbighshire
Question of age
SIR – Next week’s BBC Question Time will comprise an audience of people under the age of 30.
Presumably, given the BBC’s impartiality rules, the following week’s audience will all be over the age of 60?
Kevin Sheard
Knaresborough, North Yorkshire