It is hard to escape the conclusion that this government is not very competent (Starmer abandons plans to delay local elections in England in latest U-turn, 16 February). However, I prefer a government that tries to do the right thing but is not very good at it, rather than one which competently does the wrong thing.
Laurence Gibson
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
• We in Scotland support our national rugby team. We also read the Guardian print edition. What we can’t read, however, is a dedicated item on Scotland rugby, while we can read two full pages on England. Should I change team or paper?
Margaret Ward
Crossford, South Lanarkshire
• We still have a Belling bed warmer (Letters, 20 February), and we use it to air beds regularly. Works a treat – although when the bulb goes, I don’t think that a modern low-energy one will do the job!
Clive Hawkins
Stratton, Cornwall
• Our “hot-water bottle”, in a 1950s house without central heating, was the metal shelf from the coal-heated oven. Wrapped in a blanket and placed in the bed prior to bedtime, it certainly did the job for this youngster.
Les Forester
Greetland, West Yorkshire
• Max Bell notes that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will get his pension now that he is 66 (Letters, 19 February). Will he also get a Freedom Pass?
Melanie Hewitt
London
• A year on and still swooning – thanks for setting us up (Blind date, 22 February 2025).
Alexander and Gráinne
Belfast
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