Astrid Barltrop's essay was brilliantly incisive (How will attitudes change if students like me aren't taught the truth about British colonial history?, 16 April). It always struck me as strange that we – the heirs of universal suffrage – should spend so much time empathising with the political priorities of Victorian aristocrats who detested the concept. When I was doing my A-levels, Tony Blair was invading Iraq. I see now, as I did not so clearly then, how neatly Cromer's Egypt maps on to it – the same script, revised and updated.
Emma Jones, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Starmer's Premiership Equation
Surely we should be aware of a critical equation with regard to Keir Starmer's premiership. Two big pluses: keeping this country out of the damaging American war and rolling back the damage caused by Tory policies to the social fabric. Then one minus: appointing a dodgy ambassador to the dodgy head of a warfaring country. On balance, this equation is positive for Starmer.
Jean Rushby, Hayfield, Derbyshire
Chelsea Sacking and Times Out of Joint
Never a Chelsea fan, but the sacking of Liam Rosenior (Liam Rosenior leaves Chelsea three and a half months into contract until 2032, 22 April) while Keir Starmer remains in post? The times are out of joint.
Keith Flett, Tottenham, London
A New Word for Our Times
Cryptic crossword No 29,985 (20 April) introduced me to a new word: 'kakistocracies', meaning governments by the worst. Is this a sign of our times?
Dr Nigel Martin, Pity Me, County Durham
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