The idea that poor people cannot cook (Report, 9 December) may well be patronising, but it highlights another pressing matter. The poor have no voice, only representation by people who have not experienced or may have become removed from their reality, however well-meaning they may intend to be. It would be refreshing to hear from badly paid zero-hour workers trying to hold down a job while supporting a family or elderly parents.
Dr Paul Clements
London
• Some Tory wag suggested of the Lord Rennard affair that, “only the Lib Dems could have a sex scandal in which no one actually has sex”. Following Roger Bird’s claim (Ukip suspends senior official, 9 December) that he and Natasha Bolter had an affair, and her denial of such, it seems that only Ukip can have a sex scandal in which no one knows whether they had sex.
Bob Jenkins
London
• Re Nigel Mills playing Candy Crush (Report, 9 December): would the best solution just be to ban politicians called Nigel?
Marian Nyman
Whitstable, Kent
• Reading Notebook (Good luck stealing an Anselm Kiefer, 9 December), I recalled a buyer for a group of grand hotels who was asked his main criteria in selecting paintings for the guest bedrooms. “Usually I look for works that are larger than the average suitcase and always larger than the normal overnight case,” came the reply.
Brian Baxter
Bournemouth
• Following the IOC proposals on easing the complexities of the Olympics bidding process (Sport, 9 December), surely a simpler solution would be to select prospective hosts, for the Olympics and the football World Cup, by lottery. Not only would this be cheaper, but would end all suspicion of corruption at a stroke. No amount of bribes or wining and dining could influence the outcome. Watching a worldwide televised draw would be a bit of global fun as well.
Guy Stoate
St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
• Spotted on 7 December in a west Sussex garden: a lively red admiral butterfly. Is this a first? Or a last?
Emma Dally
London
