I sympathise with people mourning the demise of once‑loved stores and the pitiful state of their high streets (Wildings in Newport, Wales: the grand department store that became an illicit cannabis farm, 16 April). This is not the fault of the government, but rather a result of changing consumer habits. Perhaps we are all guilty. These shops are not charities, there to adorn the public realm. They are businesses and if people don’t shop there they will close. All that any government – national or local – can do is to help a well-designed shrinking of the retail estate by encouraging changes of use.
Gillian Williamson
London
The weirdest aspect of Donald Trump’s messiah complex cartoon (Trump deletes post with AI image of himself as Jesus-like figure after outcry, 13 April) is that the increasingly deranged, thin-skinned president appears to be trying to cure his long-time, eminently sane and extremely funny critic Jon Stewart.
Jonathan Wheeler
Birstall, Leicester
I’m a devout, card-carrying atheist from congregationalist and Salvation Army stock. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m Team Pope (Is the pope Catholic? JD Vance thinks he has an answer, 17 April).
Sue Ball
Brighton
Anyone interested in leaning church towers should visit the delightful St Saviour’s in Puxton, Somerset (Lincolnshire church leaning more than Tower of Pisa needs £100k to fix wonky floor, 15 April).
Richard Jones
Bristol
Who knew Yes Minister was a documentary (What happens during security vetting and why did Peter Mandelson fail his?, 17 April)?
John Rushton
Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire
