Elizabeth and Michael Barnell say they are worried about the Conservative party’s lurch to the right and its loss of empathy and decency. Plus letters from Peter Whittaker, Ruth Windle, Nicholas Obolensky and Ian McNay
Like many others, we have grown increasingly concerned about the ever-growing lurch to the right by the Conservative party (Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss accused of cruelty over Rwanda-style deal promises, 24 July). It seems that everything we hold dear – human decency, integrity, empathy – has been lost along the way. The two Conservative leadership candidates are wooing their electorate by outbidding each other with hardline promises: increasing the inhumane approach to refugees, lack of empathy for the poor and disadvantaged, disregard for the imminent climate crisis, attacking human rights. If I were one of the 160,000-plus voting, I would look in the mirror and ask myself if I really want to be seen to support such strategies that totally lack integrity and empathy. And I would feel shame for my party.
Elizabeth and Michael Barnell
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
• I am old enough to remember a time when forced mass deportation was espoused only by the National Front and the BNP. That this deeply wicked policy now seems to be the settled will of mainstream Conservatism is to the eternal shame of both the leadership candidates, their party and – because we allow it to happen – the people of this country.
Peter Whittaker
Barnard Castle, County Durham
