When Iain Duncan Smith avoided asking Theresa May about universal credit, he was simply maintaining his own dishonourable tradition (Editorial, 12 October), having spent six years dismissing questions on his pet project while he was the minister responsible.

Les Bright

Exeter, Devon

• Rex Tillerson’s alleged comment that President Trump was “a moron” (G2, 12 October) brings to reality the words of HL Mencken in the Baltimore Sun (26 July 1920): “As democracy is perfected, the office [of president] represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move towards a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

Bruce Vivash Jones

Cirencester, Gloucestershire

• In the current discussions of how intelligence does not necessarily lead to wise judgment, it is worth remembering that the two worst errors of political judgment since the war – Suez and the 2016 EU referendum – were both made under PMs who had Oxford firsts.

Roger Bardell

Welwyn, Hertfordshire

• I recall an Arts for Labour fringe meeting in Brighton at a Labour party conference in the mid-1990s, just as the New Labour rebrand was rearing its head (Letters, 9 October). The shadow arts minister, a slightly embarrassed Chris Smith, hesitated in his opening remarks, saying: “I don’t quite know how I’m supposed to address you this week, but let’s try this – new comrades.”

Christopher Gordon

Winchester, Hampshire

• Further to Janet Mansfield’s letter (13 October), my mother taught in a Birmingham primary school during the war. On complaining that a child stitched into his clothing could do with a wash, she received the following rebuke from his mother: “You’re supposed to larn him, not smell him. He ain’t a geranium.”

Celia Twomey

Letchworth, Hertfordshire

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