News of No10's party during lockdown was sickening

Just when I thought my opinion of this lying, arrogant, ignorant, (apology for a) government couldn't go any lower, the Tories prove me wrong.

The news of the Downing Street party on 18 December last year, two days after 'lockdown' for everyone else, was bad enough, but then to see them laughing about it (around 500 UK citizens lost their lives to Covid on 'party day') makes me sick to my stomach.

Boris Johnson has repeatedly lied (yet again, no surprise there) about this incident and as Ian Blackford SNP leader has said, his position is now surely untenable.

At the same time, the news of the Foreign Affairs Committee's hearing into what happened in Afghanistan in August makes for a very sad, sobering, read.

Sir Philip Barton, the Foreign Office's most senior civil servant, has admitted staying on holiday as the Taliban took control.

Yes - but then so did Dominic Raab, who was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, at the time. As a result, many Afghans, who had helped the UK forces and were now desperate to leave, were left behind - many have since died.

We owed them so much more.....

Furthermore, the loss of the lives of 27 immigrants in the English Channel last month was totally avoidable.

Yes, both the French and the UK authorities appear to have ignored their pleas for help when they discovered that they were sinking - but they were in UK waters at the time.

Priti Patel, as Home Secretary, must take ultimate responsibility for this tragedy.

It is obvious that the Tories are totally ineffectual, just don't care and show only contempt for the general public.

The UK has completely lost faith in the Tories and Boris Johnson should resign immediately (as should Raab and Patel) and ask HM Queen to dissolve Parliament and allow for a General Election.

Just don't get me started on the Brexit debacle.....

Steve Cowdry

Saddleback Road

Shaw

Unrealistic timescale for art gallery work

Leaving aside the fairy tale financial report which suggests the council can convert the first floor of the Civic Offices into an art gallery; the most concerning aspect of Daniel Angelini's report (SA, December 4) is the timescale for the project.

Are readers really meant to believe it will take 15 months to undertake the works required?

Is it the case that the officers charged to implement the changes are the same group who organised the roads fiasco at Mead Way, and the Moonrakers?

Why is the council going to wait until June 2022 to apply for works, such as improving the lift?

I'm sure everyone noted the caveat that phase 3 could be delayed. Really, what type of fools do the council take us for?

Des Morgan

Caraway Drive

Swindon

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