Letters: UK Labour Party’s win is remarkable, but the election process is definitely not democratic

Over 60pc of the electorate in Britain did not vote for Labour. That is not democratic.

Paul Doran, Dublin 2

With a record eight living former PMs, the British system is just a shambles

Today, Britain will have a record eight living former prime ministers – John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. And Ireland thinks it has election issues.

I’d prefer Dublin’s system and the ability to elect the head of state rather than the current shambles in Britain.

Dominic Shelmerdine, London

At the same age as Biden, I can acknowledge my own limitations, but can Joe?

Speaking as a person three months younger than US president Joe Biden, with pretty much a full set of marbles, if not great mobility, believe me when I say that I most definitely could not ­sustain the effort it must take to face four more years in the White House.

I doubt even Superman could ­manage it, given the pressures of travel and public scrutiny.

Unless Mr Biden is a ­complete power-hungry idiot, which one doubts, even he must be aware of his decreasing faculties.

It’s time to go, Joe.

David Ryan, Co Meath

History will be merciless to a US leader who won’t put country above all else

In this year’s presidential election in the United States, criticism of Democratic president Joe Biden, who is running for a second term, will now and paradoxically come from his own Democrat camp.

This is because the Republicans no longer have an interest in darkening the picture, given that keeping Biden in the race is akin to a ­victory for them.

The latest polls show this, to the great satisfaction of his main ­opponent, Donald Trump.

The Fourth of July, Independence Day in the US, would have been the ideal time for Biden to announce his withdrawal from the presidential race.

He would have sent the message to his fellow citizens that he put the ­interests of his country above his own.

He would have come out of it grown, a beneficial effect that would have had repercussions for his party and his successor.

The Democratic president must give up, because if he persists, history will be merciless.

Sylvio Le Blanc, Montreal, Canada

It’s time for the president to bow out and retire in peace before race is lost

Regarding the forthcoming US presidential election, the burning question remains: will Joe Biden stay in the race?

The saying goes: “If you think you will lose, you have lost.”

Therefore, it might be wise if were he to bid adieu to the contest and retire in peace.

Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth

The measure of a great sportsman will be found in composure amid defeat

Watching Portugal play Slovenia in the Euros during the week, I was bemused to see the great Cristiano Ronaldo break down in tears having missed a penalty, and was reminded of another great sporting event, the 1956 All-Ireland hurling final between Cork and Wexford.

With five minutes to go in the match, Christy Ring was through on the Wexford goal, but his powerful shot was saved by Art Foley.

But Ring did not start bawling and crying at his miss – he walked into the Wexford goal, shook hands with Foley and congratulated him on his brilliant save.

Looking back after nearly 70 years, one could wonder who was the greater sportsman, Ronaldo the professional on almost €4m a week, or Ring, the amateur who was driving an oil lorry for £7 a week.

Jerry O’Regan, Tralee, Co Kerry

Taunting viewers with myriad food programmes is no way to tackle obesity

According to a report on RTÉ ­television some time ago, 23pc of Irish people aged 15 and over are obese and 37pc are overweight.

However, almost every time I turn on RTÉ One – for example, when waiting for the nine o’clock news – all I see are food programmes.

It’s not fair to people who are trying to lose weight to bombard them with these food preparation programmes almost every day.

Chances are that when dieters see all that delicious-looking food, they will probably think: “That reminds me, I think I’ll order a takeaway.”

My theory is that people who are trying to deal with a weight problem are being constantly bombarded by these food programmes and junk food advertisements.

How can we expect people who are dealing with a weight problem to lose weight when tempted by delicious food being pushed in their faces?

Martin Heneghan, Dublin 3

Money does talk, as one museum has found out in its efforts to modernise

Sometimes the old ways are the best, as has been proved at the Roman Baths in Bath, England, where donations have dropped by almost £100,000.

All they did was modernise from ­throwing in a coin to a “tap and go” system, but it wasn’t a goer.

For those who follow a religious approach to getting their wishes fulfilled, churches also have tap and go for donations.

But it’s still the toss of a coin as to whether your wishes will be met.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

Will the bright days come again? A bit of summer sun would help many of us

No doubt like many people, I happen to be suffering from grief at present. I also happen to be suffering from shingles.

My reason for writing about my woes in a letter is simple: I was just wondering, to whichever god one worships, is there any chance we could at least have some lasting ­summer sunshine?

Brian Mc Devitt, Glenties, Co Donegal