George Monbiot is absolutely right to criticise the BBC for its weak response in pursuing the various stories surrounding Boris Johnson, his government and their decision-making for fear of retribution (The media are allowing this government’s cronyism and dishonesty to flourish, 27 April). As mere voters, we have limited and infrequent avenues to hold our governments to account and so rely on the press, and especially “our” BBC, to investigate fearlessly what they are doing and to question them on our behalf.
I am a longtime supporter of the BBC and a defender of its existence. However, there is no point in supporting an institution that has lost heart in pursuing its true purpose and independence. I am afraid that a combination of government placemen in important BBC decision-making positions, coupled with resource reduction and the exit of competent and independently minded people from the organisation, means that the BBC is now another institution deliberately weakened by this corrupt government to prevent us, the people, from being able to hold them to account. Roll on Scottish independence, so that Scotland at least may escape this government’s malign embrace.
Charles MacKinnon
Glasgow
• George Monbiot reminded us that “the media are allowing this government’s cronyism and dishonesty to flourish”. Alongside this cronyism is the secret privatising of the NHS. In your recent report about the exit of Simon Stevens from NHS England (Simon Stevens to step down as NHS England boss at end of July, 29 April) you made no mention of Stevens’ privatising work since the 2000s. He then worked with the American company UnitedHealth Group until he returned to the NHS in 2014 through the revolving – or wide open – door.
Stevens has constantly forced US integrated care models on to the NHS to facilitate the private-sector contracts now speeding ahead. He was a founder member of the US Alliance for Healthcare Competitiveness, which lobbies to open up state-run health systems around the world to US corporations. Does the Guardian support these policies?
Prof Priscilla Alderson University College London, Dr Claudia Chaufan Politics of Health Group, Dr Jack Czauderna Retired family doctor, Kevin Donovan Secretary, Defend Our NHS, Jan Savage Researcher, Patients4NHS, Dr Pam Zinkin Retired paediatrician
• George Monbiot is correct in his criticism of the media, and particularly the BBC, over their failure to bring the government to account over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. What his analysis lacks, however, is any mention of the opposition’s failure to do the same. At every prime minister’s questions, the opportunity has been handed to Keir Starmer to bring Boris Johnson to book and all he has ever done has given him a mild ticking off, not even a slap on the wrist.
As a result, Johnson’s administration has been able to act with impunity at the cost of at least 127,000 lives. Now the opposition is making a fuss over the funding of Johnson’s flat, which, as far as I know, hasn’t cost any lives.
It wouldn’t be too bad if this was going to cost the Tories votes in the elections next week, but it doesn’t look like it. Does the Labour party, of which I am a member, have any idea of what it is doing?
Gordon Glassford
Corby, Northamptonshire
• While I agree with George Monbiot in his criticism of the media in general, and the BBC in particular, I’m sorry that he made no mention of the Morning Star, which has consistently raised issues relating to government contracts and cronyism. He could also have questioned why, as the only socialist daily newspaper, the Morning Star is never featured in the BBC press reviews. Whether you agree with the paper’s political stance or not, you will certainly see stories covered, which never see the light of day in the rest of our predominately rightwing publications and news outlets.
Karen Barratt
Winchester, Hampshire
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.
