Letter: Valuing morality

Labour MP Alison McGovern claims that the government's moves towards tax incentives for marriage are "hypocritical" in the light of the accusation of Lord Strathclyde's adultery (your report, 24 January).

Divergence between what is preached and practised always raises serious questions, but we must avoid the error of attacking the moral ideal because people fail to live up to it, and instead recognise the ideal and encourage people to uphold it.

Hypocrisy is an undesirable side effect of moral standards in a society; many people will always seek to present a respectable facade, avoiding disapproval. A society devoid of moral standards may eliminate hypocrisy, but at too great a price.

Richard Lucas

Broomyknowe

Edinburgh