Boris Johnson's inexperience has finally come back to haunt him

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Boris Johnson is notorious for appearing lazy and self-centred – which is why I believe he has delegated so much power to Dominic Cummings. Johnson’s briefings from civil servants must now be four pages long, preferably two, presumably because of his indolence.

Margaret Thatcher devoured detailed paperwork. Johnson’s laziness is revealed in national crises like the massive floods and the global coronavirus outbreak.

Now information on the locations of new cases of the virus is to be rationed. Could that be more confusion and control freakery by Cummings, while Johnson twiddles his thumbs?

The inexperience in Johnson’s government is very troubling. The prime minister’s problematic foreign office stint was his only major government post.

A prime minister who can’t be bothered to read key paperwork and cowers from media scrutiny in a Downing Street bunker is not fit for purpose.

Now one of his ministers is faced with numerous allegations of bullying and the threat of an unprecedented and protracted court case for constructive dismissal. This will drag on for months unless Johnson takes swift, decisive action, otherwise it’ll be another major distraction.

Johnson’s former boss and editor at the Daily Telegraph, Max Hastings, wrote in his opinion “the premiership will lay bare his absolute unfitness for it”. He seems to be right.

Pete Milory
Trowbridge

Johnson isn't doing himself any favours

I agree with Sean O'Grady that the prime minister is storing trouble up for himself with his blanket unequivocal support for Priti Patel and the continuing bullying firestorm surrounding her ("How keeping Priti Patel as home secretary could cause Boris Johnson more problems").

Johnson is now supping from the poison chalice of premiership with this and the ongoing coronavirus issue. Is this a case in point of being careful what you wish for? When it comes to his home secretary, he needs to stop being uber-loyal and get to the bottom of this divisive issue, dispassionately and forensically, because like the virus, it is not going away anytime soon.

Judith A Daniels
Great Yarmouth

People want experts more than ever

The prime minister says Cobra and the minister for health will use scientific evidence before making decisions on coronavirus.

Can we be reassured he will take with a pinch of salt any opinions expressed in cabinet by Michael Gove?

Remember, he said: "I think the people in this country have had enough of experts with organisations from acronyms saying that they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong.”

Alan Reed
Coventry

Coronavirus in California

If you would like another taste of cynicism how about this: People in America get shot and die regularly and life goes on. An elderly guy dies of coronavirus and California declares a state of emergency – seriously?!

Maggie Dyer
London NW2

Jess Phillips – a refreshing voice

Thank you for publishing the insightful, thought-provoking and entertaining article from Jess Phillips ("Labour needs a leader who’ll do what’s best, not what’s popular – and that’s Lisa Nandy"). I am not of her party, but I found resonance in what she had to say. I hope she makes it to the opposition front bench under whichever leader is eventually chosen. Also, I hope that you make her contributions a regular feature in The Independent. We will benefit from her well-crafted journalism, as well as her perceptive views on the issues we all face, whatever our political background.

Ben Ellis
Cornwall

Bloomberg did achieve something after all

Whoa! Bloomberg's efforts were far from a complete waste. He spent his money on ads that refreshed voters' awareness of Trump's undesirable behaviours and possibly encouraged more to vote. He also swung opinion back to a centrist position. And he accomplished all this with his own money.

Kudos to Bloomberg!

E Matthews
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