I hope that the Labour leader’s “clean up of politics” and “crackdown on cronyism” (Keir Starmer pledges to clean up politics and crack down on cronyism, 2 January) extends to selling off the Whitehall drinks cabinet.
Until your report of the non-publication of the stock list of fine wines, champagne and strong spirits – the last report was in July 2021 – many of us would have been unaware that our taxes are being used in this way (Report, 29 December). I am not teetotal, but when I was working I never expected my employer to pay for a lunchtime pint, or a drink after work for me and my colleagues.
Ministers and their officials may claim that it is appropriate as hospitality for guests of the government, but if it smells like a cover-up it probably is – and the quality of so much of the decision-making during the “non-reporting period” suggests that strong drink could have played a part.
Les Bright
Exeter
• You report that Keir Starmer said: “Trust in politics is now so low, so degraded, that nobody believes anyone can make a difference any more.” This sentence is absolutely correct. But why should anyone believe that Starmer can make a difference? He’s just a politician.
Geoff Smith
Endon, Stoke-on-Trent
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