Given the importance of the “khaki vote” in the Labour landslide of 1945, it seems reasonable to assume that most of the D-Day heroes would have been left-of-centre politically. How would they feel to see their sacrifice dishonoured by the red carpet being rolled out for a lying, cowardly fascist bully like Trump?

Mike Wright

Nuneaton

Proroguing parliament to force no deal or a second referendum: what’s more democratic?

How can it be undemocratic to ask voters, both Leavers and Remainers, what they now think about Brexit, now the implications are so much clearer, just as is done in similar polls in other countries like Ireland, Denmark and frequently in that bastion of referenda, Switzerland?

And how is it more democratic to shut down parliament, as suggested by Dominic Raab?

G Forward

Stirling

20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Show all 20 1 /20 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit An awkward greeting As the Queen welcomed Trump to Buckingham Palace, he shared an awkward handshake with her. PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit "Oi Trump" Essex teenager Ollie Nancarrow mowed this message to Trump in a field near Stansted airport, in order that the president would be forced to see it as he came in to land. BornEco 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit A warm welcome Protesters gesture at the helicopter carrying the president as he arrives at Buckingham Palace on the first day of his visit. Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Inspecting the guard After arriving at Buckingham Palace, President Trump inspected an honour guard with Prince Charles. AP 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Khan hits back After the president insulted Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, over Twitter as he landed in Britain, Khan hit back in this video released by Elle. PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Mild reception on the Mall The Mall, the road leading to Buckingham Palace, was lacking in pomp as Trump arrived after his visit to Westminster Abbey, only a very small crowd turned out to see the spectacle. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Toast with the Queen The president shared a toast with the Queen at the state banquet on his first night in Britain. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Creepy kids This picture of Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner, shared to Ivanka's Instagram, was described variously as "terrifying", like "nightmares" and "scarier than the shining." Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Rolling out the red carpet A red carpet was rolled out for the president's arrival to 10 Downing Street. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Meeting with May President Trump met with Prime Minister Theresa May on the second day of his visit. They did not speak privately but in a boardroom meeting. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Spouses get along First Lady Melania Trump and husband of the prime minister Philip May attended a garden party for the families of Downing Street staff while the two leaders were in their meeting. Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Baby blimp flies again The famous Trump baby blimp made a return in the protests against the president's visit, after first appearing in July last year. EPA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Crowd gathers A large crowd of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square in London to protest the president's visit. Notable protesters included a man selling Donald Trump toilet paper and a man dressed as Vladimir Putin controlling a Trump puppet. PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Protesters mix and mingle Supporters of the president and protesters of his visit clashed by Parliament Square on the second day of Trump's visit, with some supporters being hit by milkshakes. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Toilet Trump A 20ft statue of Trump tweeting while sitting on a golden toilet was placed in Trafalgar Square as protesters gather on the second day of the president's visit. Tom Batchelor / The Independent 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Corbyn speaks In an address to protesters, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the president of spreading "hatred" and "racism" and expressed disappointment that Sadiq Khan had "been attacked in the way he was." PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Churchill hat During his interview with the president on Good Morning Britain, Piers Morgan gave Trump a hat of a style favoured by Winston Churchill, one of Trump's heroes. ITV 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Bus stop baby Activists Special Patrol Group installed this poster in to several bus stops around Portsmouth ahead of the president's arrival for D-Day commemorations PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Fly-past with the queen President Trump watched the Red Arrows fly-past with the Queen at an event in Portsmouth to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings AFP/Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Commemoration speech The president gave a speech at an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Along with Trump, the prime minister and the royal family, French president Emmanuel Macron and 300 Second World War veterans were in attendance. AFP/Getty

Brexit bloodletting

Some while back, after being fed a few pieces of possibly dubious advice, I decided that I would drain all the blood from my body and make a clean start. I’ve now been implementing this process gradually over a period of many months.

It’s true, my outer extremities have begun to rot and decay and it has been commented by many that I’m no longer the imposing figure that I once was (“maybe time to consider a change of mind?”), but I look at it like this: the decision was made and I haven’t yet seen how things will turn out once I’ve been completely exsanguinated.

Yeah, I reckon I definitely ought to see this all the way through before I even contemplate revising my decision.

Julian Self

Wolverton

Proroguing has precedent

It was reported yesterday that Dominic Raab, in his campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party, has indicated he would be prepared to prorogue parliament – the purpose being to prevent a vote against a no-deal Brexit.

After Charles I did this in 1629, and during the subsequent decade that parliament did not sit, the king had no clear means of raising taxation, and had to use devious methods to obtain minimal funds to carry on government. Later, the 1689 Bill of Rights forbade the raising of taxation without representation.

So if the Queen was persuaded by Raab to grant a prorogation, what would there be to stop anyone withholding their taxes with impunity?

If anyone thinks this hypothetical, I seem to recall that in the late 1970s the Australian government did find itself almost in the position of having to stand down some of its military because its parliament would not pass the Finance Act. And it was only last year that the US federal government was unable to pay many of its staff when Congress refused them the necessary supply. So the situation of a modern government not being able to raise taxation would not be unprecedented.

Chris Sexton

Crowthorne

One Trump pony

Am I correct in thinking that Donald Trump possesses one – blue – suit?

I would have thought that the wardrobe budget of the president of the United States would extend to at least several different coloured suits.