Western democracies should urge Trump to respect legitimate procedures, but it’s no surprise Boris hasn’t

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Trump’s shameful speech must be repudiated (AFP/Getty)

President Trump’s shameless attempt to subvert democracy by seeking to trash legitimate postal votes is more than a threat to the stability of the United States, it sets a dangerous international precedent. It gives permission to any groups of people whose democratic procedures do not give them what they want to cry foul and, potentially, use violence to overturn the democratic outcome.

It is right, therefore, for leaders of western democracies to call for Trump to respect legitimate procedures and, with dignity, allow for a peaceful transfer of power. It would have been appropriate for Boris Johnson to have spoken in a statesman-like way alongside other European leaders to urge Trump to respect the procedures and laws upon which our democracies are based. It’s no surprise that he took the path of least resistance again, and refused to comment; better to seek potential political advantage, sit on the fence and give tacit approval to the ascent of autocratic rule than show leadership and demonstrate the values of the nation that he represents.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Robert Fisk

One poignant memory I have of reading Robert Fisk over the last 30 years was how he felt so moved and upset by the loss of millions of soldiers during the First World War. I always got the sense he never accepted rightly that soldiers' lives are extinguished to satisfy the parts of the war that were futile. I will be remembering Fisk on Armistice Day for speaking up for these dead soldiers who gave so much.

Sutton Coldfield 

West Midlands 

Count all your shots

The latest from, hopefully soon to be ex-president, Donald Trump that "if you count the legal votes, I easily win," reminds me of my friend who is a very good golfer as he only counts the good shots. The conspiracy theory of numerous electoral officers cheating is the same as the moon landing denials – it's just too hard to have a massive cover-up since almost all people are actually honest.

Smile, accept the result, go back to your golf course, but count all of your shots.

Dennis Fitzgerald


Melbourne, Australia

Republican victory

No matter who wins the presidential election, this is a victory for the Republicans.

As of today, the result of the election reflects an overall rejection of Trump not only as a president but as a person. Moreover, this also reflects a lack of his ability to lead the country.

Aside from the fact that all members of "The Squad" (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib) were elected for a second term, this election is still a victory for the Republicans. They have held the Senate, made gains in the House, gained with minority voters. They also control the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, without the Senate, Biden will have a weak House of Representatives and will not be able to lead effectively since his hands are tied. Adding to this, unemployed and starving Americans will not be able to get their long-awaited second Covid-19 stimulus cheque without Senate approval.

President Trump should accept the results of this election and tell his supporters to do the same, as to respect the democratic process.

Mahmoud El-Yousseph

Ohio, USA

Shut the libraries

For years public libraries haven't been considered worthy of government funding (or in Sheffield council's case – the library staff in the majority of the city's libraries), but they are considered essential in lockdown, risking staff and user safety. Public libraries need to close completely during this lockdown to protect library users and library workers. Let's protect our local communities and the NHS. In this case, “closed” must mean putting a temporary stop to all click and collect services and access to IT provision too, in Sheffield and UK wide.

N.JP Artridge

Sheffield

Fenced off

The “security fencing” erected around students at Manchester University makes one wonder about the level of crassness and stupidity of people running some organisations.

One wonders even more if this decision went through the university’s management board and hence “signed off” by senior academics.

Dr Anthony Ingleton

Sheffield