Your report on the sale of a Van Gogh painting (Report, 11 April) prompts the I-hope-not-too-facetious question in this general election run-up: how would Vincent have made out in today’s Conservative Britain? He sold only one painting in his life, though he painted about 300 (almost one every day) during his last year, thanks to his brother’s faith and support. He would now have to apply for at least 24 jobs a week, online, or risk losing all income. His painting work would be classed as of no commercial value and he would have been encouraged to take a zero-hours job to get on to the employment statistics. Your report mentions that one of his paintings is likely to sell for $40m. How much true talent and brilliance is being lost by this government’s drive to “any job or nothing”, especially for young people of disallowed individual talent and, dare one say it, even genius? Just any job better than none? No.
Ian Flintoff
Oxford
