Letter of the week: Will Trump’s war on religion be his downfall?

Re: “Is Donald Trump the antichrist?” by Matthew d’Ancona, TNW #479 

Christian as I am, the fact that THIS is what has finally stoked a rebellion of sorts is gobsmacking. Not lying, not being best friends with a convicted paedophile, not bribery and corruption, not being a convicted felon, not his racism and misogyny, not starting a needless war that has killed hundreds of children, not antagonising allies but a pathetic, ill-judged meme. Says it all.
Kathy Moyse

Seems that Christ’s real teachings are now deemed to be “woke” by a frightening number of Americans who claim to be Christian.
Rosalind Russell

Suggested Reading

It’s time for Parliament to become a museum

Patience Wheatcroft

Re: “It’s time for parliament to become a museum,” by Patience Wheatcroft, TNW #479 

There is another reason to replace the Houses of Parliament: the arrangement of the seats opposite each other only works (and even that is questionable) in a two-party system. We now have a five-party system and are likely to have a coalition.

A hemisphere would be more conducive to politics in which party politicking was less to the fore and collaboration to achieve common national goals was prioritised.
Anna Barnett

I would go further by abolishing the monarchy and have an elected head of state (after the demise of the present king). I wouldn’t even mind if William served as the first president for 10 years as he seems a decent bloke, as long as the people could pass judgment on him after that period.
Brian Ronson

I agree, turn the Houses of Parliament into a museum and build a new one in Birmingham accessible by HS2. This would ensure that the section to Euston is built. Two birds, one stone. Parliament would then be roughly central.
Neville Thomas

Buckingham Palace should be handed over to the state, allowing the royals to use it on state occasions, etc. New Houses of Parliament could be built in the grounds; in the corner nearest Victoria Station for accessibility. Buckingham Palace could be used in many ways by our elected representatives and made more open to the public.
Patricia Cahalane

Sell it to Disney.
Christopher Harrison

Suggested Reading

The new Michael Jackson biopic is worse than bad – it’s dangerous

John Bleasdale

Re: “Michael is worse than bad. It’s dangerous”, by John Bleasdale, TNW #479

Superb piece of writing! So many acute observations about this Michael Jackson biopic. 

I felt uneasy about my desire to go and see it, a desire based only on the idea, somehow, that I should. Thank you for helping me to make my mind up!
Nicola Batty

It’s the celluloid equivalent of a jukebox musical, and that’s fine. It’s Thriller – Live on tape. What it’s not is a documentary or biopic. In that respect it’s more akin to Melania. 
Alistair Knight

The Jackson movie I’d like to see is the Bubbles biopic.
Ben Cohen

Re: “The Grand Egyptian Musem isn’t even the best museum in Cairo”, by Matt Kelly, TNW #479

In Egypt we are constantly bombarded by our media’s positive, one-sided reviews of the museum so it’s extremely refreshing to read an article that praises the museum but can stand back and see a few faults. You are absolutely right comparing it to Las Vegas – the excessive artificiality is definitely there.

In contrast, the Egyptian Museum stands quietly and modestly in Tahrir Square with an unparalleled charm. I visited it last week and enjoyed its cosy and inviting atmosphere.
Sadika Naim

I remember visiting the Egyptian Museum in 1992 and being amazed by how close you could get to the Tut death mask. I can’t actually recall a rope separation, we could literally press our noses on the glass case on all sides.

It was surreal and has stayed with me ever since.  Somehow I doubt a new experience would match the memories of what we did and saw in those more naive and slightly less commercially orientated days.
Martin Diggle

Suggested Reading

The Grand Egyptian Museum isn’t the world’s best museum. It’s not even the best museum in Cairo

Matt Kelly

Re: “Germansplaining: The whale that stranded itself on purpose” by Tanit Koch, TNW #479

Surely that should be “stranded itself on porpoise”?
Clive Wood

Re: “The next sacking is going to be Starmer”, by James Ball, TNW online

So what if there was a “cock-up” in the vetting process applied to Mandelson? To lose an effective PM over such a trivial matter is absurd. 
David Ireland

Starmer has made many foolish and avoidable missteps, but it is worth asking whether the job of PM is even possible any more, particularly for Labour politicians. 
John Hyder-Wilson

The man has not had a chance. The Tory press and right wing social media has been relentless in its attacks on him, as have the far left. The change people crave does not come overnight.
Steve O’Rourke

He has to go because he promised change and his neo-liberal agenda simply hasn’t delivered.
Russell Sage

If Labour sticks with Starmer, the country is likely to get a Reform government. Andy Burnham is the best candidate to stop Farage.
Will Goble

Labour’s chances of forming the next government will be reduced if the new leader is a man, any man. I resigned from the party of the treatment of Sue Gray, but have rejoined because I want to campaign and vote for a leader who looks like me, has similar lived experiences, and who shows signs of principled convictions. 
Pauline Caldwell

BELOW THE LINE

Re: “Westminster’s big money problem,” by Peter Geoghegan, TNW #479 

Change the rules to keep our democracy safe: the only people who should be allowed to donate to UK political parties are UK citizens and who are UK resident only. No corporate donations, no crypto currency donations, no exceptions.
Cliff Leach

Re: “The mystery of the missing JFK witness”, by Martin Fitzgerald, TNW #479

There are many theories and rabbit holes around the assassination of Kennedy and perhaps we will never know the truth. Personally I have always been suspicious of the idea that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, but it is so long ago now does it even matter?
Adam Primhak

Re: “Excuses, excuses,” by Jay Elwes, TNW #479 

This article about what defence Trump’s lackeys will one day make for going along with him should be engraved on a stone, and displayed in a prominent position on the Washington Mall.
Stuart Dawson

This article will seem very prescient one day, maybe before 2028: Marjorie Taylor Greene, for one, has already changed her tune.
Marcus Thompson