Professor Lea Ypi is right to highlight the inherent threats to democracy embodied by a government of national unity (A national unity government to block no-deal Brexit? It would do nothing more than dig the nation’s grave, 10 August) but surely we are facing the same threats already?

The will of the new majority for Remain is already being ignored, divisions are already razor-sharp and many feel that such a government would have as much democratic legitimacy as the current government. The Brexit crisis is not up there with climate change, the Great Depression or the outbreak of world wars but it threatens the future we want for our children on many levels.

The national unity government suggestion is a pragmatic response to a problem created, in the main, by very rich people who have no care for the rest of society only for their own profit. It would have a single purpose and a general election would quickly follow. Many people would understand this.

It could be avoided if parliament can construct, and process, legislation to rule out no deal, rule out Brexit and/or gain another extension – which, theoretically, is still possible. Can we tolerate another extension?

Desperate times require desperate measures.

David Lowndes

Soberton

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Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson have at least one thing in common. Both are overly optimistic. Corbyn over his ability to win a general election. Boris over Brexit.

A national unity government, as Lea Ypi wrote this weekend, may not be the solution to this looming catastrophe. But it is necessary that Labour and Tory MPs opposed to the direction of their leaders come together with MPs of the pro-Remain parties – if only temporarily – to form a new official opposition. This grouping has to be led by someone who can command the respect of the House of Commons and unite the growing number of people against a damaging Brexit into an effective fighting force that will defeat Prime Minister Johnson in the general election expected in the autumn.

Winston Churchill once said: “Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party.” Labour and Tory MPs concerned about Brexit must now change their party for the sake of Britain – not least, to end the nonsense of a no-deal Brexit and give us a Final Say and, once achieved, deliver electoral reform so that parliament truly reflects the will of the people.

Roger Hinds

Surrey

An elected head of state

I cannot understand why it is thought that the Queen must not be involved in protecting the nation from Boris Johnson’s outrageous Brexit strategy.

I have a lot of respect for our head of state. She is experienced and wise. It must be a great bore trying to show enthusiasm for the petty duties she has to perform.

She may relish the thought of playing an important role in the government of the country near the end of her long reign. After that, can we please grow up and have an elected head of state?

Carol Wilcox

Highcliffe

Power outages

Having been subject to many power outages in the past, albeit rapidly fixed by our suppliers, I was intrigued to hear that there was a call to ensure that the automated systems would need to be checked to ensure in future that the correct areas were being cut off. By “correct area” I presume they mean “not London”.

G Forward

Stirling

Independent Minds Events: get involved in the news agenda

The Brexiteer 50p

So the chancellor plans a commemorative 50p to celebrate Brexit, if it ever occurs. They really don’t have a clue, do they? When will it dawn on Brexiteers that half the county and probably more if we were given the chance to vote, think Brexit is terrible and something which we shall deeply regret. So why irritate us even further with this ludicrous idea? It is simply a further transparent and pathetic attempt to persuade the EU that “Brexit means Brexit”, the dumbest slogan of all time.

Simon Watson

Worcester

Travel chaos

I note that John Rentoul has been away on holiday this week. I fear that when he returns he will find so many examples of the phrase “travel chaos” within the pages of the daily edition of The Independent, that he may find that he requires another vacation to recover.