Paul Dacre thinks his critics missed the point that his phrase “enemies of the people” referred to Ibsen’s play (Departing Dacre lashes out for one final time, 5 November). Well, yes, we got it but I’m not sure that he understood it himself. Stockmann, the eponymous Enemy of the People, was so branded because as an honest and ethical man he insisted on speaking truths that others did not wish to hear. Like the judges in fact. So where does Dacre actually stand?
Angela Barton
Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
• Not so fast with your denigration, Ian Jack and your young friend (‘Goodbye to all that’, 3 November). The Aventra train that is the biggest seller in the UK was designed and is built by Bombardier in Derby. Full marks to former Aventra project director (now Network Rail engineering director) Jon Shaw and his colleagues for convincing the Canadian parent company to back British engineering prowess at a time when the Derby site was down on its uppers. But then what do I know, I find that I too am on the list of those that have got to go!
James Abbott
Editor, Modern Railways
• So Matt Hancock wants us to take responsibility for our own health (Report, 5 November). Is this the start of a new government strategy that will see Damian Hinds urging us to take responsibility for our own education and Gavin Williamson suggesting we take care of our own defence?
George Steel
Liverpool
• Steven Poole (Review, 3 November) writes of “austerity” clothing during the second world war. My wife and I remember the phrase being “utility” clothing, denoted by a special label. Perhaps to the upper classes it felt like austerity, whereas to us and our families it was what would now be described as just about “fit for purpose” or “serviceable”.
Ralph Gordon
Romford, London
• You say that EU officials think there’s a 50-50 chance of striking a Brexit deal (Report, 5 November). Shouldn’t they have said 48-52?
Bob Mortimer
Louth, Lincolnshire
• “Flu jab may save your life, if you can get one” (Letters, 5 November). I have got a life – so presumably I can now get a flu jab to possibly save it?
Dominic Rice
Sheffield
• As long as it’s not Margaret Thatcher, I couldn’t give a monkey’s who features on the new £50 note (Letters, 5 November).
Gary Bennett
Exeter
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