Boris Johnson’s new cabinet says a lot about his own insecurity

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Boris Johnson, the Oxford classicist, surely knows well the legend of Peisistratus, tyrant of Athens, who, when asked for the secret of successful despotism, simply led the questioner to a cornfield where he lopped off the tallest heads. Meaning: to be the greatest man in a field of mediocrities, let no one come near you in power.

The losing of Sajid Javid and Julian Smith, both men of quality and integrity who had disagreed with Johnson, is an example of the prime minister taking Peisistratus’ advice. He wants to be surrounded by yes men or weakened persons, impotent to challenge him. But let him beware, for with mediocre people no great achievement can happen. The truly great leader is not afraid of greatness in others. Johnson, you are no Churchill!

Francis Beswick
Stretford

An irony

Another day of the long knives and we’re one step closer to the elected dictatorship so many of us warned about.

And Corbyn was painted as the danger to society.

Paul Halas​
Stroud

New opposition please

Two months after the election and the man who was the architect of Labour’s biggest defeat since 1935 is still in post as party leader. Furthermore, Momentum, the organisation largely responsible for putting and keeping him in that post, are promoting a new leadership candidate who will continue the same disastrous policies. Policies that have already been roundly rejected by the electorate.

Irrespective of which party is in power, an effective opposition is needed for the proper functioning of parliament, without delay.

Nigel Hill
Loughor, Swansea

Coronavirus is only one obstacle

Simon Calder, I agree with your sound advice in the light of the coronavirus.

We have just spent three enjoyable days in Singapore and didn’t bother with face masks that medical advice warn are not much protection. A member of staff in our hotel lobby checked our temperatures each time we re-entered the hotel. They even checked our driver when he arrived to transfer us to Changi airport. We didn’t use crowded trains or buses and enjoyed taxi rides.

We are continuing on to New Zealand tonight and then Australia to visit various family members. We are thoroughly washing our hands at every opportunity and using gel and wipes in between. We will be away from the UK for seven weeks in total so hope to remain germ free!

Our travels include not flying over Iran, avoiding flood-damaged roads in New Zealand, two cancelled side trips in Australia due to bush fires and now Coronavirus. We didn’t consider cancelling our trip for a moment. Happy holidays!

Anne Jones
Address supplied

My right to decide

Your articles about assisted suicide are both challenging and reassuring, and in my opinion present a very balanced view of the issues here. I myself have been a member of Dignitas for years and have a condition that leaves me in pain 24/7 with no prospect of this ever improving.

For me, the issue of dying is simple logic. I have been expected since I left school to make every decision about my life, where I live, where I work, whether I stay single or get married and any other thing you can name. So for me, the question is given I’m expected to make and have made all these decisions, why can’t I decide when I want to die. It’s that simple.

Steve Mumby​
London

A new ruler

It might be naive to ask, but I’ll ask anyway. Why is it that no one voted for Dominic Cummings, yet he seems to be running the government? And if he’s given such free rein (or is that reign?), has the collective brain of the elected members of government gone missing?

Ian Reid
Kilnwick