Letters: Why do we bully PMs’ wives?

Strong leaders

Sir: Freddy Gray states that ‘voters seemed most enthusiastic about the leaders who removed their liberties’ (‘Leaderless’, 18 June). I believe people just like to see their government take strong measures. People like to see the effect of a government policy straight away, especially in a crisis. This is probably the reason so many Americans like the idea of Trump’s wall. It is an immediate and physical solution to a large problem that can be seen and felt, even if it is not necessarily the best solution.

If the government, for example, came up with a policy that said all those on jobseekers’ allowance must do at least 20 hours of community service a week to pay for their handouts, I believe the country would see our streets, beaches and parks a lot cleaner as well as fewer people on benefits and more in work. People like to see big answers to big problems.