The 'Sea of Hull' was the feelgood story that this country needed

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People from across the globe participated in Spencer Tunick's 'Sea of Hull' artwork (Reuters)

Congratulations to all those who made Spencer Tunick’s “Sea of Hull” such a massive success. The streets of the city looked stunning in the early hours of Saturday morning and it was wonderful to see so many spectacular images rolling out across the world’s media.

But it was the atmosphere – filled with warmth, friendliness, humour and positivity – that made it feel, for me, a huge privilege to be involved. To be part of a very diverse group of thousands, gathering together to instantly co-operate in the production of art was inspiring, life-affirming and liberating. It was a simply beautiful day.

As others have said, initial nerves and apprehensions evaporated within seconds once the cue to strip and apply paint was given. Impromptu teams and pairings formed to make sure the painting was to Spencer’s exacting standards: bodies were checked for coverage; strangers painted strangers. The unifying feeling seemed to be one of “let’s do a good job”.

At a time when we need, in our society, a much greater sense of hope and togetherness, such collaborations can inspire and point the way. Hull has been a “good news” story around the world this week. I have never been more proud of my home town.

Richard Claxton
Filey

Having a child does not equate to political success

"Barren" women Barbara Castle, Dame Margaret Beckett, Betty Boothroyd and Ann Widdecombe did rather well in politics without having pushed a pram.

If Theresa May becomes PM, she will join the hall of fame of many great women from history who did not need to highlight nappy service on their CV to get on.

Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, Emily Brontë and Elizabeth I would have been surprised to learn that a woman seeking her place in today's hall of fame believed she had the edge, merely for having a child.

Anthony Rodriguez
Staines Upon Thames

Our democracy is flawed

The belief that the referendum that we have just witnessed enhances the health of our democracy is a fundamentally flawed belief. Our democracy is a fluid, dynamic institution not an inflexible, frozen system that adopts immutable policies that cannot be changed or challenged. If one supports a party that loses an election the very fact that there is a constitutionally guaranteed opportunity in the future to fight the issues again is the safety valve that discourages frustration and resentment that can so easily lead to disruption.

We should be very concerned that just under half of the electorate are now being told that they lost the argument and that there is no chance of a return to the issue. At some stage in the near future when the consequences of discussions around Article 50 start to reveal exactly what the impact of leaving the EU is going to be for the UK, a second ratifying referendum or general election should be held. Parliament should enact legislation now to guarantee this.

To deny this opportunity would be alien to our democratic system and fuel anger and resentment. The referendum could have undermined not strengthened the stability of our democratic system and the fracture lines could split families, communities and the UK itself.

John Dillon
Birmingham

We have no trust in MPs

So we are now to reclaim our sovereignty and make our own laws in our own parliament. Would this be the same parliament whose members on both sides are, stripped of their PR gloss, exposed as the most incompetent and foolish chancers in living memory?

Can it be argued that any post war government has been an unqualified success, even the Attlee government sowed the seeds of its own destruction and that's before we examine the havoc wrought upon the North of England by the Thatcher years.

It is finally dawning on our elected parliament that huge areas of the country are neglected and their citizens of all political sides are rebelling against the status quo. There is no trust in MPs, it's a widely held belief that they are more acutely aware of their own career and advantage than actual government.

So the latest and perhaps most serious post war calamity is now upon us and the major perpetrators leave the scene to a financially secure future and leave the rest of us to carry the can.

Gary Kirk
Burnley

Where is our modern day Shakespeare?

For over fifty years, since schooldays, I have been reflecting on Shakespeare's St Crispin's Day speech from Henry V. The modern equivalent of the question "and what did you do then" appears to relate to "how did you vote (or support voting) on the question of the invasion of Iraq". This was indeed an important issue, but will one day be part of history as was the original St Crispin's Day issue.

The St Crispin's Day now, for me, for my children, and for my grandchildren has to be the day of the EU referendum. The impact of this day will, I fear, be greater than that of Agincourt, probably even greater in effect of the future and the world economy than the dreadfully mistaken invasion of Iraq. Where is our Shakespeare today to put this crucial question and responsibility we bear into such eloquent words that others may reflect in centuries to come?

Graham Morris
Looe

Do we really live in a free society?

In a really free society I would surely have the freedom to join Labour to vote against Mr Corbyn and join the Conservatives to vote against Ms Leadsom.

Peter Forster
London, N4