How much I shall miss Martin Kettle, even while I disagree with him (The world of today looks bad, but take hope: we’ve been here before and got through it – and we will again, 15 January). Last August, hundreds of union flags were fastened to our streetlamps overnight and without permission. Demonstrators at our market clock with a Palestinian flag were regularly abused. So, in the first week of January, some Quakers hosted a meeting of political and religious leaders to discuss the growing incivility of political discourse.
The pro-Palestinian group leader was followed by the Reform parliamentary candidate. Then various contributors from other parties and local churches spoke at length about what we had in common. A retired diplomat concluded that Britain is resilient. We are still more tolerant than most others. . The local vicar emphasised a “clear, common concern to express differences with tolerance and kindness”. There was no point in holding a plenary, so the final 20 minutes, we all spoke to our neighbours about why we had come and what we had learned. Frozen winter turned to thaw.
Geof Sewell
Thirsk, North Yorkshire
• As I read to the end of Martin Kettle’s column, I felt real regret that it was going to be his last regular one. His analysis of the political situation always hits the right spot without looking for any easy or instant solution. The headline illustrates his approach exactly, as he never lets his readers forget that politicians and their policies do not come hurtling out of nowhere. I shall miss turning to his column for a careful examination of a tricky situation, and I do hope he continues to make a significant contribution to the Guardian’s pages.
Kirsty Devaney
Dundee
• To Martin Kettle: thank you – always the go-to page in Thursday’s print editions.
Chris Wood
Stirling
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