Letters: If billionaires stockpiled food, would we all be left to starve?

Billionaires have been allowed to amass massive wealth, says a reader. But if they were stockpiling all the food and water, would governments still just sit back and do nothing, like they do now?

Billionaires must share

Lately I’ve become very aware of the massive inequality here in the UK and the rest of the world. I believe it is the issue at the heart of problems globally.

I support the idea that all governments must start discussing ways in which obscene, excessive wealth can be redistributed. I am an advocate for hard work and becoming rich, but wealth that can finance space programmes that governments can no longer afford illustrates the destructive transfer of wealth that has occurred over these last two decades.

If the amount of wealth the super-rich stockpile were instead food and water, would governments stand idly by and allow their populations to starve? Money and essential assets such as housing are vital, and yet governments sit passively by becoming impoverished, even bankrupting themselves like ordinary people. Reducing wealth disparity in the world would make it a far better place for everyone and the super-rich could still live luxurious lifestyles.

Paul Belcher, Basildon

Nerves of steel

The straightforward renationalisation of British Steel is an inevitability that is being delayed. The case for nationalisation has always been strategic necessity. That argument continues to apply to water, energy, rail (which is not really being renationalised), the Royal Mail and much else besides. Which of those has been improved by privatisation? We have seen just how quickly the restoration of democratic political
control can be achieved. 

Steel was the one nationalisation to which the Conservatives objected after the war, and they reversed it in 1953. But they did not vote against this latest bill. No one did. Everyone in parliament has now conceded the principle, which, if it applies to steel, applies to all the others. Just take it back. Just take them all back. Public ownership is British ownership; it safeguards the union. Let them have the word “British” in their names again, and let that be meaningful. There was no rescue package for Grangemouth or for Port Talbot. In more than one sense, there is heavy rebuilding to be done.

David Lindsay, County Durham

Church matters

As a Christian I feel compelled to point out the fact that Christianity is in fact growing in England and Wales where there has been an increase in regular attendees from 8% to 12% of adult population between 2018 and 2024 with the main increase being the 18- to 24-year-olds who are more spiritually open to God.

In Peterborough, as in many other towns and cities, the churches support the vulnerable in the city by providing food banks, social hubs and free furniture (Care Zone) for those who’ve recently moved into social housing. Plus the local rough sleeping charity, Light Project Peterborough, is renowned for its support and help for the homeless connecting with the local council and NHS agencies.

Jess Watson, Peterborough

• Why would billionaires end world hunger when they can buy the fountain of youth?
• World’s billionaires are worth £11.3 trillion. Here’s how their cash could make the world a better place
• Billionaires are making a killing during cost of living crisis – we can’t afford to accept this

Ceaselessly into the past

Thank you for the article on The Great Gatsby. It is truly a magical wonder. I taught high school for 36 years and I never tired of trying to impart the novel’s magic and wonder to my students. I am certain that they got it. How could they not through the beauty and power of Fitzgerald’s words? “He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he realized what a grotesque thing a rose is.” Indeed. We have all been there.

Gwendolyn Fuller

Cross-connection

Every week, my dad and I do the cryptic crossword remotely. We live within 90 mins of each other, so we see each other plenty – it’s just nice to have this extra connection when we’re apart. 

This one is complete – promise! 

Jade Atkins

Dude awakening

Speaking as a man (a dude, a guy, a bloke, if you will), I would suggest that a sound strategy to tackling the manosphere is to point out how toxic masculinity (not necessarily by that name) harms men as well. And make common cause with men who aren’t toxic macho hatemongering bigots and are exhausted by everyday pressure to BE A REAL MAN. (Which can include other things besides standard tropes, like “a real man talks about all his emotions all the time”.) 

@Otakukeith, Instagram

The kids are alright

What a splendid cover by Ashton, aged 10 – makes me feel there is hope for the world yet!

Penny Clear, aged 87

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