I am grateful to Simon Szreter (Letters, 26 October) for pointing out the direct familial lineage of George Osborne to the baronets of Ballentaylor, and that such members of the landed wealth elite dominated the House of Lords and opposed progressive forms of taxation on the super-wealthy a century ago. Professor Szreter notes that the financial elite, a century later, still defends its own. Depressingly, I can go a century better. When workers had the temerity to assemble peacefully in Manchester to demand the vote in 1819, the magistrates called in the militia. The cavalry charged, 15 protesters were killed and up to 700 were injured. This was the Peterloo Massacre. The Tory government now passed the repressive Six Acts to gag newspapers, prevent public meetings, and restrict freedom of speech. Playing a key role in drafting these laws, as lord chancellor, was Lord Eldon. His fourth-great-grandson is Jeremy Hunt, the present secretary of state for health. Plus ça change!
Dr John Hull
Sheffield
• I have just read the obituary of Lisa Jardine (27 October). I felt a great sadness. I frequently quoted gems I had heard from her at breakfast. When I discovered that Lisa was the daughter of Jacob Bronowski, it brought to mind my father often quoting him. I felt an affinity to both, and awaited Lisa’s contributions to Radio 4’s A Point of View with special interest. Thank you, Lisa. May you rest in peace.
Anne Lindley
King’s Lynn, Norfolk
• The government’s proposed compulsory checks by landlords on the immigration status of new tenants (Report, 21 October) characteristically contrast with the freedom of immigrants to buy properties in the UK. Given the number of former water, energy and transport utilities now owned by foreign companies, many of them nationalised, perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised at the inconsistency.
Jeremy Beecham
Labour, House of Lords
• When on holiday, in a caravan or not, an invitation to a “craft fair” always fills me with dread (Letters, 27 October).
Michael Cunningham
Wolverhampton
• I’d happily eat oven chips on a caravan holiday while being towed by a replacement bus if I never saw the words “defining moment” again.
Richard Wood
Toddington, Bedfordshire
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
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