Is Keir Starmer really a leader who fights for the national interest?

Tory unity

SIR – In the circumstances, Kemi Badenoch is doing a good job as Conservative leader. People like Robert Jenrick should give her their full support.

The electorate needs to see a vibrant, unified party challenging the Government. If the Tories do not have the brains to realise that another leadership battle will finish them off, they will get what they deserve.

Christopher Allen
Swettenham, Cheshire

SIR – I used to be a Conservative voter, party member and donor (of modest sums). However, I am no longer any of these things, as there is little left that I wish to see conserved. 

When politicians, the police, the Civil Service, the justice system and other institutions appear determined to undermine our culture, rubbish our history and destroy what was once one of the world’s fairest societies, I don’t want to keep things as they are.

I want radical change to create a system that works for the benefit of ordinary people.

Phil Coutie
Exeter, Devon

Green unpleasantness

SIR – I was so sad to read of the plight of residents in Long Sutton, Hampshire (“Protests flare as giant solar farm threatens historic country road”, report, April 4). 

At the same time, Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has given his approval for a giant wind farm to be built in the English Channel, with “turbines as tall as the Eiffel Tower” (report, April 4). 

My wife and I drove to North Norfolk last week. We passed through parts of Essex and Suffolk that had once been areas of great natural beauty, but are now covered in black solar panels. They are monstrous to look at. 

Why has a zealot like Mr Miliband been given such power?

Arthur G Samouelle
Camberley, Surrey

SIR – I agree with Sir Jim Ratcliffe (report, April 2) on the folly of shutting down the North Sea oil industry, and the effect this will have on jobs and exports. We have the means to ensure that a smooth transition to green energy takes place, without the loss of jobs, by developing new North Sea fields and allowing fracking on land. If we fail to do this, one of Britain’s highest value export industries – chemicals – will move abroad. 

The Government believes that renewables will provide cheaper energy and more jobs by 2030. However, many high-energy users will not be in business by then, and what the country will actually require is a higher welfare budget to support the hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.

John Richardson
Hurworth-on-Tees, Co Durham

The bowl truth

SIR – There is a simple way to ensure “dishwasher hygiene” (Letters, April 5): use a washing-up bowl. It’s very therapeutic.

Mary Moore
London E2 

Marks of privilege 

SIR – On the subject of “privilege tests” (Letters, April 5), my first teaching job was in a very academic private girls’ school. I was told that candidates for the prep department were asked two questions: “What colour is Mummy’s car?” and “What do you call the room where you eat your breakfast?”

Dorothy Woolliscroft
Attleborough, Norfolk

In prison for a tweet

SIR – Allison Pearson discusses the plight of Lucy Connolly (“The loving mother jailed for a tweet and a case that shames us all”, April 5). 

Mrs Connolly is certainly guilty of writing a highly ill-considered post in the heat of the moment following the Southport murders (a decision that she obviously regretted, given that she deleted the tweet shortly afterwards). 

However, there is clearly a political element to the punishment to which she is being subjected. How likely was her tweet to provoke an actual riot? And how is it reasonable to deny her release on temporary licence during what is a wholly disproportionate sentence?

This is becoming a terrifying country in which to live.

Clive Nunn
Reading, Berkshire

SIR – We cannot have a society in which freedom of speech is taken to mean: “Say whatever you like.”

People need to take responsibility for their words.

Charles Delaney
Dublin, Ireland

American chicken

SIR – I lived in America for a number of years, and consumed plenty of chlorinated chicken (Letters, April 5). It was all delicious, particularly when the birds had been corn-fed. 

I therefore do not understand British objections to US chicken, especially given that we all drink chlorinated water from the tap.

Alan Belk
Leatherhead, Surrey

See you last Tuesday

SIR – On Saturday (April 5) I received an appointment letter from community health services dated April 1, inviting me to an appointment on the same day. The letter is postmarked April 3. 

Bob Salmon
Greetham, Rutland

Stuck on repeat

SIR – Why is it that sometimes a song or tune gets stuck in one’s head? 

The one currently in mine, for some unaccountable reason, is “Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green. When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen.” 

It’s been two days now and still it won’t go away.

Audrey Grant Morris
London W4

Pricey seeds that reward the investment 

SIR – Robert Ward (Letters, April 5) wonders why tomato seeds are so much more expensive than those for Brussels sprouts.

He should think of the six he purchased for £3 as an investment. He now possesses the means to cultivate an inexhaustible supply, at little or no further cost.

In 2023 I saved the seeds from one ripe tomato. Finding them some 10 days ago, I tested their viability – and now have 19 seedlings growing strongly.

Adrian Johnson
York

SIR – I believe the answer to Mr Ward’s question is simply that no one likes Brussels sprouts.

Anthony English
Moux, Aude, France

Unfair stereotypes about second-home owners

SIR – I take issue with A V Lofts’s claims about second-home owners in Salcombe (Letters April 5), having been one for more than 40 years. 

Over this period, I have always used local businesses and suppliers, who have appreciated the custom. The problem with Salcombe is that, apart from the very helpful Co-op, there is a shortage of food shops – which is why holidaymakers often order their groceries online. 

The introduction of the 100 per cent council tax premium for second homes in South Hams is not going to help the housing market, but it will damage the tourist trade.

Hugh Stevenson
Goadby, Leicestershire 

SIR – There are many reasons why someone may have a second home. Ours is situated in the Inner Hebrides, and was inherited when my grandparents died. At the time we acquired it, we had two young children and could ill afford the extra cost. 

However, an empty house can quickly deteriorate, so we had little alternative but to improve it, for our benefit but also in memory of my grandparents. Over the years, we have enjoyed the property and shared it with others.

With the council tax doubling, however, we may not stick around.

Ian Bald
Liss, Hampshire

SIR – The Tony Blair Institute has suggested that larger properties should be taxed more to encourage downsizing (report, April 5).

Does it not understand the joy that older people take from having their children, grandchildren and friends to stay? 
My wife and I have no wish to spend Christmas in a one or two-bedroom bungalow, with our daughters and grandchildren commuting daily from a nearby B&B.

Paul Barnett
Corsham, Wiltshire

Letters to the Editor

We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers. 
ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT 
EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk 
FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters @LettersDesk