On the day that the first Covid inquiry report excoriates the UK’s failure to save lives during the pandemic, protesters who, at worst, added negligible delays to the hell that is the M25 commute, receive hugely disproportionate custodial sentences (Five Just Stop Oil activists receive record sentences for planning to block M25, 18 July). Who else is going to prison?
John Kelly
Little Raveley, Huntingdon
• By saying “I’m a never Trump guy. I never liked him” (From anti-Trump to vice-president nominee: JD Vance in his own words, 16 July), JD Vance is clearly showing himself to be a man of principle – in the style of Groucho Marx: “Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them … well, I have others.”
Chris Ainsworth
Rawtenstall, Lancashire
• Alas, our posties no longer drop elastic bands in our area (Letters, 18 July). We relied on them to top up our household stock. Now we source ours during the asparagus season because the stems are usefully tied together with them.
Ann Smith
Churchdown, Gloucester
• Elastic band recyclers will find that they are conveniently stored in a 35mm film canister.
Chris Osborne
West Bridgford, Nottingham
• Thank you for Ella Baron’s wonderful depiction of the appalling divide between rich and poor that our democracy allows (17 July). If only Charles had ordered a taxi and asked people to wear their own clothes.
Philip and Enid Lodge
Liverpool
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