Simon Tisdall hits the mark in his analysis of our contemporary "villains" but I fear he is over-generous ("In an unheroic age, Putin, Trump and Netanyahu are sick parodies of great men"). For these men are tyrants and their impact goes beyond their murderous actions, crimes against humanity and "undermining of universal values". Perhaps their most insidious impact is in reconfiguring the ethical and moral framework by which such men (and it is invariably men) can be perceived as dangerous and unfitted for power.
They create the conditions for perpetuating tyranny. In this, they are supported by the tyrants of social media, a group headed by Elon Musk who, as Carole Cadwalladr argues ("Don't rejoice yet, Elon Musk and his tech bros-in-arms are winning the global battle for the truth"), promotes the spread of "distorted truth" – for which read "lies" – thereby helping to normalise this new morality. Ian Sanderson Leeds Wrong choices, chancellor I was disappointed to read Rachel Reeves's article on why the Labour government is making "hard choices" affecting the poorest in society ("These were not the economic decisions I wanted to make, but they are right for Britain").
We have heard, known about and, in many cases, experienced the Tory mismanagement and profligacy and I'm frustrated to hear it being repeated again and again as a defence for not addressing the poverty and hardship such mismanagement has created. Why is there no mention of a revision of the council tax bands to ensure greater contributions from larger properties and estates? Why no reformation of the tax dodges and loopholes that allow money to be hoarded, sent offshore and spent on carbon-emitting luxuries? Why no creation of higher tax bands to ensure those who "have the broadest shoulders bear the heaviest burden"? It is right to give public sector workers a rise but why should the already poor among us bear the cost? In many ways, this does not feel like a Labour government at all. Sue.
.. Guardian staff reporter.
