Like many others, we have grown increasingly concerned about the ever-growing lurch to the right by the Conservative party (Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss accused of cruelty over Rwanda-style deal promises, 24 July). It seems that everything we hold dear – human decency, integrity, empathy – has been lost along the way. The two Conservative leadership candidates are wooing their electorate by outbidding each other with hardline promises: increasing the inhumane approach to refugees, lack of empathy for the poor and disadvantaged, disregard for the imminent climate crisis, attacking human rights. If I were one of the 160,000-plus voting, I would look in the mirror and ask myself if I really want to be seen to support such strategies that totally lack integrity and empathy. And I would feel shame for my party. Elizabeth and Michael Barnell Shrewsbury, Shropshire • I am old enough to remember a time when forced mass deportation was espoused only by the National Front and the BNP. That this deeply wicked policy now seems to be the settled will of mainstream Conservatism is to the eternal shame of both the leadership candidates, their party and – because we allow it to happen – the people of this country. Peter Whittaker Barnard Castle, County Durham • Re your article (Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss serve up ‘red meat’ policies to tempt Tory members, 24 July), Rishi Sunak would do well to read and ponder Kamila Shamsie’s novel Home Fire, which, among other things, chronicles the fate of the first British Muslim home secretary, who, in an effort to prove his patriotic credentials, also goes for “red meat” hardline policies – with devastating and tragic effects. Ruth Windle Frome, Somerset • I read with sadness that perhaps to appeal to a populist base, Rishi Sunak says that he will close the 30 Confucius Institutes that promote the teaching of Chinese language and culture. If nothing else, it is entirely consistent with a policy to cut us off from and damage relations with large trading partners, having voted for Brexit, which diminished contact and damaged trade with the EU. Perhaps Sunak would benefit from some Chinese wisdom if he really sees China as an enemy. In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote: “Know your enemy, and know yourself, and you can fight a thousand battles without defeat.” By stopping the teaching of Chinese language and culture so we may better understand them, and beating a propaganda drum to win some populist votes, he is doing the UK yet another damaging disservice. Nicholas Obolensky Bath • Since the two candidates for leadership of the Tory party and many failed politicians before them all did the same politics, philosophy and economics degree course (What the absurd class cosplay of Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss tells us about Britain, 25 July), and since they have had significant negative effects, should the course not be added to those being investigated by the Office for Students as being unsatisfactory and failing quality criteria for teaching? Something is obviously going wrong in students’ preparation for the jobs they get, and many of us suffer as a consequence. Ian McNay Professor emeritus, University of Greenwich • Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.