On this, the Guardian’s 200th birthday, I have decided to forgive the 1959 dropping of Manchester from your title.
Audrey Butler
Cheadle, Cheshire
• I have read the Guardian for 70 of the 200 years. I started as a subscriber aged 14, and it used to be posted to me in Middlesex from Manchester, arriving a day late. It opened a whole new world to me and still does.
David Chandler
Ferndown, Dorset
• Jonathan Freedland’s excellent article (Scandal upon scandal: the charge sheet that should have felled Johnson years ago, 30 April) reminded me why I, a natural Tory voter, will be voting Labour on Thursday. Boris Johnson is an embarrassment to the Conservative party and Britain. He is no longer a joke but a national disgrace.
Dominic Shelmerdine
London
• If my brief year as a councillor is typical, it’s no surprise more women don’t stand (Concern as just a third of candidates in English local elections are women, 4 May). I was shouted at, bullied, had suggestions ignored, and at no point was anything I did acknowledged by the council. The final straw was being told, in a discussion about Companies House: “Shut up, you know nothing about this,” when my past included CEO posts.
Name and address supplied
• Before every potential hug takes place, I’ve always thought that it’s a good idea that everyone within hugging range is in agreement that a hug is absolutely necessary (Letters, 4 May).
Ian Grieve
Gordon Bennett, Llangollen canal
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.
