Sir, Once again we have a knee-jerk reaction from the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary in seeking to make an issue of the wearing of uniform (news, March 8).

In my experience of 31 years in the Army this is wholly unnecessary. Until recently I had never heard of the military covenant, nor did I need to. I wore uniform only when I needed to to carry out my duties, and would never have dreamt of “parading” around in uniform. What we need is for the Prime Minister to show his commitment to our troops through appropriate pay and allowances, housing, medical services, and after-service care when needed. They are the best of our young people and should be treated as such.

Finally, Mr Brown needs to continue to explain why he and his predecessor took us into these conflicts, and what is being achieved.

Major Anthony Hollis (ret’d)
Camberley, Surrey

Sir, I would never think of abusing a member of the Armed Forces in uniform, but if MPs had to wear a uniform I might be sorely tempted.

Roland White
Felpham, Bognor Regis

Sir, Is the Prime Minister also urging nurses and police to wear their uniforms in public? They also deserve the “respect and gratitude of the British people”.

Or what about frogmen or astronauts? Uniforms are for work; civilian clothes are for going out and about in public.

Christopher Ellis
Farnham, Surrey

Sir, If the University College London students wish to take action against bodies associated with embroiling the UK in an “aggressive war” (letter, March 8), it is the students’ Labour Party, and the other parties that voted with the Government, which should be banned, not the military units.

Dr Stephen J. Lockwood
Colwyn Bay

Sir, Unlike Flight Lieutenant Goodman I do not hold the DFC (report, March 8), I do know, however, from my 24 years service in the RAF that she is incorrectly dressed. Flying suits should never be worn off base and desert clothing is inappropriate in this country.

Stuart Turnbull
Leeds

Sir, George Orwell, in England Your England (1941), observed that inherent anti-militarism is part of the “gentleness” of the English tradition. “Within living memory it was common for the ‘redcoats’ to be booed at in the streets . . . So deep does this feeling go that for a hundred years past the officers of the British Army, in peace-time, have always worn civilian clothes when off duty”.

Graham Wade
Withernsea, E Yorks