The Brexit Party’s protest of the EU anthem made Britain look like an even bigger joke

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I was mortified to see the Brexit Party MEPs turn their backs when the European anthem was played. This was very offensive and will have made millions of British people cringe with embarrassment.

One wonders what these same MEPs’ reaction would have been had backs turned during the playing of our own national anthem.

While still shuddering at this, I then saw the Lib Dem MEPs had added to the embarrassment by wearing garish yellow T-shirts bearing the words “Bollocks to Brexit”. It’s a crude and tasteless display from the ones who claim to be Europeans at heart and a significant cut above their Brexiteer opponents.

Anyone remember the Countryside Alliance’s “Bollocks to Blair” T-shirts when Labour banned hunting? I wouldn’t have thought this was an idea to be imitated by anyone with any sense.

God only knows what the sophisticated Europeans make of this double display of vulgarity. Thanks to both sides for making the British look like utter idiots.

Penny Little
Great Haseley, Oxfordshire

Education will curb obesity

I applaud The Independent for shedding light on the global scourge of obesity. The multiple factors that contribute to obesity are notoriously complex and intertwined.

The statistics are appalling. Tackling obesity is, therefore, one of the most formidable health challenges that define the 21st century.

There is an urgent need to raise awareness and educate lay people about unhealthy lifestyles, foods and beverages and translate policies into advice and recommendations. We could do this with public and private sectors, mosques, churches, policy makers, academics and NGOs alike on board.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London NW2

Preaching to the choir

Why is there blanket coverage of Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt when they address most of their comments to only 160,000 party members?

The rest of us have no say on their policies.

At present they are both trying to buy votes with their ridiculously expensive promises. No chance they will seek approval from the rest of the electorate.

Michael Pate
Preston

Stop hunting whales

Japan should focus on protecting the world’s oceans and their inhabitants, not continue to blast peaceful, deeply intelligent animals out of the water with exploding harpoons and rifles. All decent people who are rightly outraged by the killing of marine life should take a stand against this barbarity by shunning the commercial fishing industry, which ensnares countless whales, dolphins, and other marine animals in its nets.

We can all do our bit by leaving marine animals – big and small – off our plates and opting instead for humane vegan options.

Jennifer White
London N1

Making London’s schools better

Following the letter about the failure of Ofsted’s inspection methods to support school to improve, I am reminded of the policy initiative that has had a sustained impact on standards and teaching and learning: London Challenge.

It was led by Tim Brighouse working with Jon Coles as the policy person at DfE and the many advisers and school leaders who were integral to the improvement process. They worked through collaboration and effective use of data allowing schools to compare themselves with others in a similar context and follow up with one another on how to develop practice.

In other words, an empowerment and professionalisation model. This was a brilliant UK-led model of support that it might be worth pressing as an alternative to how Ofsted operates.

We don’t need to look abroad, we just need to remind ourselves of what worked and has led to sustained improvement for London schools over the past 15 years.

Dr Hilary F Emery
Address supplied