Boris must learn folly of NHS cuts
■ Boris Johnson is reportedly stable, in good spirits, not on a ventilator, only receiving oxygen via a mask and doesn’t have pneumonia – all good news. Having said that, his designated stand-in Dominic Raab is clearly not up to the job of governing this country while Mr Johnson is laid up.
This means the country is unable to function properly at this time of crisis.
It appears the nightmare the Tories created by deliberately underfunding our precious NHS for a decade has come back to haunt them in a way in which they could never have imagined.
The PM’s ordeal is unpleasant but he should make a full recovery thanks to the dedication of our wonderful NHS staff and we must not let his illness divert attention from the national crisis.
Bill Cook, Teignmouth, Devon
■ My best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Mr Johnson. Now my hope is the Tories will at last have learned the folly of keeping our services so short of money. The policies they have introduced to save the economy during the pandemic are a step in the right direction but this generosity will have to be paid back eventually – we will have to pay more tax for sure. However, the poor must not shoulder the burden as before.
Robert Machen Knottingley, West Yorks
■ With Boris Johnson having had to spend time in intensive care, will he and his fellow Conservatives now realise the folly of underfunding the NHS and the cuts they have imposed on this country?
Much has been made lately of how those in lower-paid jobs have kept the country running – so will the Tories now decide to create a more level playing field and pay them a more satisfactory, liveable wage now we have seen just how much we all rely on one another? Harold Ennis, Ruardean, Glos
■ I wish the PM a speedy recovery and return to full health.
At least he was able to get a coronavirus test which is not generally available to the nurses, doctors and NHS staff who have been ill-served by the Tory Government for the last 10 years.
Let’s not forget either the severe austerity measures, including cuts to the NHS, police, fire service etc, imposed by previous Tory governments which they blamed on the Labour Party, not the worldwide crash caused by the 2008
banking crisis.
Nev Shaw Portsmouth
■ I really hope Mr Johnson gets well soon. The strain of being Prime Minister, even in better times, must be huge. Just look at how previous PMs looked aged and drawn after being in the job for some time.
Having said that, Boris does have some questions to answer when all this is over, so he will need to be fit and well before he gets back to work.
Paul Willetts, Hagley, Worcs
■ The coronavirus pandemic and the Prime Minister’s illness have, in a way, vindicated the campaign to save our NHS from the Tory cuts as well as highlighting the vital importance of maintaining a properly funded and public health service that supports everyone. Phil Brand, South West London
■ Whether or not you agree with Boris Johnson’s politics, you have to give the man a lot of credit.
Brexit, flooding and now the coronavirus. That’s a tough shift for anyone. Get well soon, Boris. Mike Hall, Kings Heath Birmingham