Clearly the best person to “share the Government’s arguments directly with voters on live TV”, (‘Press secretary Stratton will need a tough hide to spin for Boris on live TV ’, October 8), should have been Boris Johnson. But he has been so inept as a communicator, particularly with detail, that it raises questions of him suffering from long Covid. Faced with that problem, No 10 has, as in so much of the Tories that is mediocre, turned to the US.
However, rather than being poacher-turned-gamekeeper metaphor, Stratton is now more gamekeeper-turned-poacher. Her former life as a TV journalist was at least honourable in trying to speak truth to power. Now she will have to spin for power.
David Murray
Editor's reply
Dear David
There is a desperate need for a competent communicator to take hold of government PR. Spinners get a bad rap but they have a duty to inform the public about what ministers are trying to achieve. So it’s unfair to suggest Allegra Stratton’s job as the PM’s press secretary won’t be “honourable”. It takes someone seriously gutsy to take on the might of the UK’s political lobby journalists.
Currently we question the PM’s spokesman behind closed doors. Now the government will not be able to hide from its latest gaffes and will face awkward questions while fully exposed to public scrutiny. So Ms Stratton, where is that report into allegations of bullying by Priti Patel?
Sophia Sleigh, Political Reporter
Cycle of change
Pavement cycling has worsened because of lockdown and the lack of visible police. Added to this, many cyclists ride while staring at phones or listening to headphones, diminishing their awareness of others. Bicycles should be given number plates so that offenders can be easily apprehended. This should be no problem as many bikes already bear contraptions such as drinks holders.
Antony Porter
