'It is time to demand better' - Your Letters: January 29

OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE FAILING US

The beginning of 2025 has made it evident that our country is facing significant challenges. Once again, we are confronted with the alarming reality that the state and its institutions—designed to serve all citizens—are failing us. The fact that the Southport murderer was referred to the terrorist prevention initiative three separate times highlights this failure.

This troubling situation is compounded by the contaminated blood scandal and the unacceptable delays in compensation, as well as the ongoing Post Office scandal that continues to deny justice to those affected. People recognise the injustice of these issues and rightly demand that justice be served. Ironically, in a nation obsessed with litigation, it seems that only lawyers are benefiting while the victims remain in limbo.

Another inquiry into Southport is on the horizon, but who can truly believe that its recommendations will be implemented, especially given the previous track record of the child grooming inquiry? Such scepticism is warranted.

The pressing question we must confront is this: why do our systems fail to function as they should? All these failures occur against the backdrop of the highest tax burden in our history, with over 38 per cent of the nation's income going to taxes. We are surely entitled to better. As our economic prospects worsen and our borrowing reaches its limit, we must focus on solving the real structural problems instead of relying on the excuse of underfunding for these failures.