State handouts have dissolved our resilience

Matthew Syed’s article “Mindless ‘compassion’ is leading us towards the end of our civilisation”, (Comment, last week) is, sadly, correct. We have become a nation that expects government handouts whenever our living expenses are adversely affected by global events. Some would call that compassion, but it has to be paid for eventually: for instance, we are already seeing the ruinous impact of furlough on the public finances.

Politicians must have the courage to resist the clamour of social media and think of long-term affordability. British grit and resilience is rapidly disappearing.
Jeremy Preston, Croughton, Northamptonshire

Kindness first
While praising Rishi Sunak for his comments on “sick note culture”, Syed forgets to mention that many of the long-term sick are waiting for operations and appointments because of underinvestment in the NHS. Young people can wait up to two years for support with their mental health.

I do not want to be part of the “culture” that Syed is suggesting. As we face an uncertain future, I want to choose kindness, compassion, and forgiveness for my own sake as well as for the sake of others. That is how we become fully human.
Patrick Regan, founder, Kintsugi Hope mental wellbeing charity

Real vote-loser
Syed issues a powerful warning about the cost of compassion. With an ageing population, additional human rights, worsening mental health and provision for immigrants, the burden on taxpayers is rapidly growing. It is not sustainable indefinitely.

He calls, therefore, for a “moral recalibration”, in which we embrace realism. Jean-Claude Juncker, the former prime minister of Luxembourg, once said: “We all know what to do, but we don’t know how to get re-elected once we’ve done it.” Perhaps it is Syed who has to embrace realism.
Gordon Bonnyman, Frant, East Sussex