Boris Johnson has made his priorities very clear

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

The ex-PM returned from his holiday as he weighs a bid for the Tory leadership (PA)

It would be thought to be reprehensible for a headteacher to go on an extended holiday in September, saying to colleagues: “I’ll see you when the clocks change, get in touch if you have a problem.”

Yet the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip seems to think it’s acceptable to absent himself for such a vacation when parliament is in session. The fact that Boris Johnson’s constituents, for the representation of whom he is paid a generous salary, may be in need of his support at a time of extreme economic crisis seems to sit lightly on his conscience.

Unsurprisingly, he has thought it advisable to cut short his holiday; not to respond to his constituents’ needs but, as ever, to serve his own ends.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

How soon we forget

At the time of writing, Boris Partygoer is being tipped as a potential prime minister! Has amnesia replaced Covid-19 as the number one illness in the country?

Don Pilkington

Kettering

Back to reality

I read your editorial (Boris Johnson is a poor candidate for resurrection, 22 October) with interest and agreement. It is so surreal and bears all the hallmarks of the resurrection of Bobby Ewing in Dallas. But that was a drama, and this is real life.

I cannot conceive of a more corrosive and destabilising episode in our political history, especially when the economy is going down the government’s plughole.

We are rightly a laughingstock around the world, and it is so demoralising to see a political party tear itself to bits. This is implausible governance and should be halted immediately. When the next prime minister finally takes the very shaky reigns again, a general election should and must be called.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

No second chances

Boris Johnson resigned as prime minister on 6 September after losing the support of Tory MPs – the result of very significant failings.

Liz Truss resigned as prime minister on 20 October as she, too, had lost the support of Tory MPs as a result of very significant failings.

The same group of Tory MPs and donors seem to support Boris and Liz – and there seems to be a move to try and get Boris back as our prime minister. What has changed since he was forced out of office on 6 September?

The Tory party needs to exclude Boris and Liz from any process for choosing a new leader.

We need a new candidate or a general election.

Malcolm Munro-Faure

Address Supplied

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Just to say thanks

There are two things each day that, when I read the Independent Daily Edition, keep me from running screaming for the hills.

The excellent cartoons that never fail to hit their target, and the regular contributions from sketch writer Tom Peck.

The first are a visual feast of pithy, if often a little harsh, expression of daily reality. The second almost always expresses in a pithy and realisic way the feelings which so many of us experience these days.

Thank you. Plenty of rich pickings coming along I suspect!

Steve Edmondson

Cambridge

Proof negative

Only the Conservative Party would consider replacing a proven idiot with a proven liar.

Chris Norris

Calne