THE NORTHERN ECHO can be very critical of the Conservative government - perhaps it was equally critical of Labour when they are in power, but I can’t remember as the country hasn’t chosen them for a long time - but I really have doubts as to the wisdom of such silly comments as in the editorial (Echo, Nov 28) when it said: “How can a hairdressers reopen and a pub not?”.

I mean no disrespect to people who enjoy going to the pub. I have enjoyed visiting many in my time, but I’m sure the behaviour of the ladies in their hairdressers is far more controlled, than that of people visiting the pub, and therefore are more likely to adhere to social distancing.

This comment follows the publication of two recent disrespectful painting of the war time Prime Minister Winston Churchill (HAS, Nov 30). Did anyone ask him if he thought the painting was disrespectful? As he died in 1965, the answer is no.

Did any member of the Echo team ask the remaining members of his family?

Mike Taylor, Darlington.