Anne Cowper suggests a way to clothe politicians and support British businesses; John Lowery recalls the wisdom of Marcel Mauss

Surely there’s a straightforward way to remove the whole problem area of clothing the government (Keir Starmer and top Labour colleagues to stop taking clothes gifts from donors, 20 September). Immediately upon appointment, each member of the cabinet should surrender their own wardrobe and choose from an approved list of British suppliers of clothing.

Personal shoppers would ensure that everyone looked their best (granted, not always an easy task) and any costs involved would be met from a central fund, taking account of benefits to the supplier from the exposure of their products on a world stage. On leaving the government, all garments would be surrendered and donated to charity. Sales generally may be boosted; aspiring politicians would rush to buy from, say, the M&S Prime Minister range or Foreign Secretary at John Lewis.
Anne Cowper
Bishopston, Swansea