Sir, The prime minister’s dismissal of Dominic Cummings leaves me feeling a deep melancholy.
Cummings represented the world outside the politics and media bubble which our political class inhabit.
He was probably the only one of the Boris Johnston’s inner-circle who understood the northern ‘red wall’ voters who lent their support to the Tories during the last general election.
From now on Boris Johnston will be advised only by people from within ‘the bubble’, who are obsessed by narrative but little concerned about the actual effects of the policies in the real world.
I fear that Norman Lamont’s devastating criticism of John Major’s government that they “give the impression of being in office but not in power…Far too many important decisions are made for 36 hours’ publicity” will from now on apply to the current government.
Struggling to control the deficit, committed to the rapid decarbonisation of our economy and utterly divorced from the concerns of normal people, this government is unlikely to achieve anything before it most likely loses the next general election.
Otto Inglis.
Ansonhill,
Crossgates.
Vaccine experience is not always positive
Sir, – The government has secured orders for a second coronavirus vaccine, but any optimism should be cautious.
In his May 12 testimony to Congress, Dr Anthony Fauci warned “that there is also the possibility of negative consequences, for certain vaccines can actually enhance the negative effect of the infection”. He mentioned two where the outcome was poor, namely dengue and RSV.
With the latter, in 1966 a vaccine was tested on American children. The consequences were dire, many children remained unprotected and suffered worse symptoms than usual; two even died.
There is reportedly still no approved vaccine.
And in 2012 C. Tseng was lead author in a study titled “Immunisation with SARS Coronavirus Vaccines Leads to Pulmonary Immunopathology on Challenge with the SARS virus”, where experiments performed on mice resulted in immunopathology, examples of which are hypersensitivity, autoimmunity and immunodeficiency.
These problems can result in serious disease or death.
Geoff Moore.
Alness,
Highland.
Delivery drama bringing on crisis
Sir, – A week ago I was informed a delivery had arrived at my house.
I found no trace and a second delivery a day later also failed to arrive. It later transpired that Hermes had decided my address didn’t exist.
This is causing me a not inconsiderable existential crisis. If my address does not exist, it begs the question whether I exist and if so, then where on earth am I staying?
Does this mean all the Royal Mail deliveries I have received are figments of my imagination? Perhaps your readers can give me advice?
Rosa Steppanova.
Castle Street,
Cupar.
Beware of looming Brexit power grab
Sir, – There is a question as to who will govern Scotland after Brexit?
The forthcoming Trade Bill and the Internal Market Bill are inextricably linked.
The Internal Market Bill has implications for devolution.
The Westminster Government intends to create a UK single market and will have the power to enforce regulatory alignment across the whole of the UK without consultation.
This could lead to a lowering of agriculture and food standards, and threaten environmental protections.
It will become more difficult to promote Scotland the brand.
Biden on becoming President of America will still want access to the NHS in any trade deal.
This will be a threat to the NHS in Scotland by American healthcare companies as well as to the pharmaceutical industry. It is important that we in Scotland are aware of this potential ‘power grab’ as we move towards separation from the European Union.
Mary Ward.
Old Brechin Road,
Lunanhead.
