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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics

Starmer comparison does a disservice to speed awareness trainers

Speaker at Business Conference
‘I spent a delightful afternoon being entertained by two course leaders, whose sardonic wit helped reinforce the serious message.’ Photograph: Matej Kastelic/Alamy

Ian Martin is unfair on speed awareness course leaders when he compares Keir Starmer “droning on” in a leaders’ debate to them (Betting, vetting and the return of Big Dog: the weirdest election campaign ever is only getting weirder, 21 June). I attended one such course a few years ago, and apart from being disabused of the idea that men were the main culprits in exceeding speed limits (numbers in the room were an even split between the sexes), I spent a delightful afternoon being entertained by two course leaders, whose sardonic wit helped reinforce the serious message. I did say to them that they had missed careers as standup comedians.
Tom Brown
London

• Re understanding archaic references in crosswords (Letters, 21 June), at the other end of the spectrum, I had to ask my granddaughter to explain what “clout bombing” means (Barbie pink is out, lime green is in: Charli XCX’s album spawns ‘brat summer’ trend, 21 June).
Mark Newbury (aged 64)
Sophia Ferguson (aged 11)
Farndale, North Yorkshire

• Before anyone gets too excited about an endorsement from Chris Skidmore (I was a Tory minister – but I think we need a Labour government, 21 June), let’s pause to remember Britannia Unchained. He was one of the authors of this dreadful book that launched the careers of Kwasi Kwarteng, Priti Patel, Dominic Raab and Liz Truss. Mr Skidmore has a lot more atoning to do.
Tom Saul
Tetbury, Gloucestershire

• Can we hope that, come October, the Guardian will entrust its review of Boris Johnson’s memoir Unleashed to John Crace (Letters, 20 June) We will at least be guaranteed an element of enjoyment before deciding whether the book should be categorised as true crime or fiction.
Micheal Elkington
Orpington, Kent

• Do you have a photograph you’d like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers’ best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.

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