Michael McGough’s letter last week suggests the UK is a superpower because it retains nuclear weapons.

This belief is totally out of date and never made sense. The ability to destroy vast areas and kill untold numbers of people is no indication of superiority when it would inevitably lead to our own destruction. I question who in their right mind wants that type of power?

On the same day that letter appeared, the Government started rumours that they would be cutting overseas aid. This is another stupid suggestion. There is vast inequality between countries with the richer ones wielding economic power over the poorer ones. This creates conflict and instability which overseas aid goes a small way to alleviate.

Cutting it back will exacerbate instability leading to a more dangerous world in which some idiot, and there’s a few of them around with the ability, might start a nuclear war.

Chris Sumner

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