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There is much in the news about people using the local elections on 7 May to send a protest message to the government and to Keir Starmer in particular. I would urge people to remember that this election is for councillors to run local services. Their remit will be to deliver services including social care, schools, housing, planning, waste collection and pest control. Do you really think that parties such as Reform UK have the skills or mindset for this? Be careful what you wish for, and save any protest vote for the next general election.
Viv Pert
London

• These are such uncertain times, especially for Keir Starmer (Labour MPs say ‘endless drama’ of leadership speculation must stop, 4 May). One thing is certain, though: the local election results will be worse for Labour than anyone thinks because the pollsters so often underestimate the percentage, usually 4% or 5%, of those who can’t admit that they will vote for the bad guys – as with the Brexit vote.
Brian Smith
Berlin, Germany

• John Crace’s idea of pure heaven is counting dogs on his walk and watching them sniff at everything (49 ways to have fun right now!, 4 May). That is my idea of pure hell. My heaven is walking by the sea and the smell of clean air (no dogs allowed).
Melanie White
Marazion, Cornwall

• Screens were not available to pupils when I was a maths teacher (Letters, 3 May). My own breakthrough in technology was to supplement white chalk at the blackboard with coloured chalk. This didn’t seem to hinder the students’ learning.
Michael Heylings
Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire

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