This country has a pecking order of ethnicity

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

I watched with dismay – but no surprise – as all 10 of the Lords’ amendments were voted down by the Conservative Party (PA Archive)

I’m appalled at the government throwing out the Lords amendments to its Rwanda bill, which would have protected Afghans – who risked everything to fight alongside the UK against extremists – from being deported to Kigali. This suggests both a disregard for those who have helped this country, and a pecking order based on ethnicity.

I suspect that if those in a similar position to the Afghans happened to be European, the result of the Commons vote would have been altogether different.

David Felton

Cheshire

The Conservatives sink even lower

Just when we think our pathetic, infighting government can’t get any worse, we hear that they have voted down amendments by the Lords to the rather misnamed Safety of Rwanda Bill. A bill that they are desperate to push through just to appease the xenophobic right wing of their party.

It seems that the majority of Conservative MPs are so bereft of conscience and humanity, or so cowed by the whips in parliament, that they feel driven to support this dreadful legislation. Many choose not to vote, rather than voting against their party.

The sooner we are rid of them the better – though I suspect they will hang on for as long as possible, to feather their own nests before getting kicked out.

Mike Margetts

Kilsby

A cause for concern

I read with dismay, but no surprise, that 10 of the Lords amendments were voted against by the Conservative Party – and, naturally, voted for by Labour. For once, Sunak’s truculent and factionalised party voted as one and left the opposition to maintain the moral high ground on this invidious issue.

I agree with shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock, that it does indeed beggar belief that this government can let down brave and stalwart Afghan heroes who, through no fault of their own, have had to take desperate measures to try and gain safety and sanctuary in this less than welcoming country.

This issue needs forensic investigation and not blanket approval from the governing party, who clearly can’t see the just and moral wood from the fast-decimating trees of political survival. It is indeed very concerning.

The Independent has been vociferous in its support of these heroes, because it fully appreciates the invidious situation they have been placed in, which should concern us all.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

Rishi’s plan B for Rwanda

What would the prime minister do about illegal immigration if Rwanda did not exist?

Is his government so determined to push through its bill, despite the effect it is having on its popularity, because it cannot see any other possible resolution?

Some think the Rwanda policy will deter the boats. Most don’t. Regardless of their view of the policy, most agree that the process is only damaging the Tory party.

Now that they find themselves in this hole, they really should stop digging.

Gary Beer

Devon

Israel is no longer waging war

All concerned people need to keep speaking up about the man-made humanitarian disaster happening, practically unchallenged, in Gaza. Palestinian civilians, many of whom are innocent pawns in this conflict, just want the right to eat.

Every single excuse that Israel makes to deprive Gaza of life-saving aid only works against the welfare of starving, desperate people. It’s a consistent pattern that appears entirely deliberate in its intent to destroy the civilian life of ordinary Gazans, many of whom are helpless children.

Israel claims to hold a moral high ground, but they have long since lost it. Their behaviour – initially justified – has long since deteriorated into appalling hypocrisy and double standards. For they are no longer waging war, but an indiscriminate slaughter of trapped civilians who have nowhere to flee to.

The methods of Hamas are also wrong, but unless Israel can acknowledge its part in the long history of this conflict, they are only adding deadly insult to past injury and helping to perpetuate a vicious cycle.

Vince Ward

Sale