Gary Younge makes the stark and startling revelation that roughly half of the few remaining Conservative party members support the death penalty (Opinion, 13 October). What does he think would happen if a referendum was held? The majority of the nation supports the failed and indefensible death penalty. Shows the wisdom of referendums and the benefits of clear expression I suppose.
Jan Wiczkowski
Prestwich, Greater Manchester
• Steve Elsworth (Letters, 15 October) asks if there is a vaccine for preventing stupidity in politicians. Little hope there. As Schiller wrote: “Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens” – “Against stupidity, the Gods themselves battle in vain”.
Martin Cotton
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
• Patrick Barkham writes that the National Trust is to evict a forest school, judged outstanding by Ofsted, from its land because of possible damage to the forest (Opinion, 13 October). But it appears to have no such reservations when licensing trail hunts to rampage over their land with horses and dogs. Double standards?
Louise Morrey
Barlow, Derbyshire
• If the DUP carries out its threat to vote down the budget and precipitate an election (Report, 11 October) will Theresa May seek the return of the £1bn that secured its support after the 2017 election?
Jeremy Beecham
Labour, House of Lords
• If there is a shortage of public toilets in London (Letters, 15 October) then why not bring back the old ones? They were easy to spot with their bright red paint and little windows, and they had the advantage of having a phone, although that might not be necessary these days.
Bob Davies
Walsall, West Midlands
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