In response to Paul Tench’s plea for more room for the conservative perspective in the Guardian (Where is the space for traditional values?, Letters, 29 June), I’d like to ask you to stick to your liberal guns. Being a pro-choice, leftwing, feminist living in a traditionally socially conservative society can be quite oppressive. Reading the Guardian is a welcome antidote and I know I am not alone in Ireland in thinking so. Please keep up the good work.

Joe McCarthy

Dublin

• The letter from Paul Tench was interesting, but I was surprised that his list of traditional values was equated largely with Protestant and Catholic. There are many people who consider themselves “socially liberal” who value marriage, commitment and fidelity and who hold nuanced views on matters such as abortion, euthanasia and a bit of peace and quiet on a Sunday. They may have a religious belief but most will not. I don’t think it’s ever helpful to assume that holding the above views makes one a conservative. And I do think that you should try harder to find writers who express a range of opinion.

Jane Lawson

London

• Traditional is a cuddly word that is used here to soften the concepts of prejudice and discrimination. Would it be deemed acceptable for someone to say they hold a “traditional” view that white people are naturally superior to black people? No, that is a racist viewpoint. Similarly, it is not “traditional” to believe that gay people shouldn’t be allowed to get married, it is homophobic. It isn’t “traditional” to believe that women should be forced to give birth to babies they don’t want, it is sexist.

Just because “lots of people” subscribe to a certain view doesn’t mean it is acceptable – the soaring rates of hate crimes reported in Britain proves that. Accordingly then, no, there is no place for such views in the Guardian or any modern newspaper.

Josephine Brady

London

• Paul Tench asks whether there is room in the Guardian for traditional, conservative values on social issues. I am sure that contributions would be welcomed from those who are happily married, want to be a “homemaker”, have decided not to have an abortion, or do not want to be assisted in dying. What would probably not be welcomed would be views that other people should be forced to make the same choices.

Richard Gilyead

Saffron Walden, Essex

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