> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# What our readers are saying about Gaza, abortion and political accountability
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/what-our-readers-are-saying-about-gaza-abortion-and-political-accountability/
- Published: 2026-05-29T09:34:43.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-17T20:37:37.000Z
- Description: From the Gaza convoy stuck in Libya to Reform’s abortion rhetoric, readers respond to the stories that moved them
- Author: Nandini Naira Archer
- Tags: readers comments

openDemocracy receives so many carefully considered messages about our work that it seems a shame to keep them to ourselves. Each week, we share some of the most thought-provoking comments from our readers.

Send us your thoughts for next week’s round-up by replying directly to any of our emails or commenting on our articles or [Instagram posts](https://www.instagram.com/open%5Fdemocracy/?hl=en&ref=opendemocracy.net).

These comments are edited for clarity, accuracy and length, and are not a reflection of openDemocracy's editorial position.

## **Re:** [**The Gaza convoy trapped in Libya’s desert refusing to turn back** ](https://www.opendemocracy.net/the-gaza-convoy-trapped-in-libyas-desert-refusing-to-turn-back/)

This is the kind of solidarity one wants to see. It’s not the superficial kind one encounters on social media or reads about in corporate corporate social investment blurbs. No, this is on a level few of us will encounter in our busy lives. I know the South Africans on this mission. What Jessica, Fatima and Mohammed are doing here is to help break the siege. They are single-minded about the objective. They intend to work with the rest of the group to make sure the aid – especially the ambulances, mobile homes and other reconstruction materials – reaches Gaza. We should be calling our government representatives to urge the Libyans and Egyptians to allow free passage so the aid can make it to Gaza. ***–Sunny Morgan***

## **Re:** [**Beyond Westminster’s chaos, a new grassroots left is taking shape**](https://www.opendemocracy.net/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-challenge-jeremy-corbyn-your-party-grassroots-community-organising/)

Who do politicians really serve – apart from themselves and their masters? Here, they serve King Charles, who says openly that they are his ministers. But who does he serve behind the scenes? It is never truly in the interests of the people, is it? It is always in the interests of those who hide behind the curtain ***–Ernie***

In George Orwell’s essays, you will find a reference to ‘the unalterable laws’. I believe these are the laws that govern the universe – laws practised by Indigenous peoples on this planet for thousands of years, enabling them to live and flourish until they were invaded and massacred by Europeans. This knowledge has been suppressed from ordinary people by secret societies, big business and Big Pharma, while those same systems have been used to gain money and power. We do not have much time left to clean up our act. ***–June Ryan***

## **Re:** [**Abortion is becoming a new front in Reform UK’s culture war**](https://www.opendemocracy.net/aabortion-reform-uk-politics-birth-decriminalization-farage/)

FFS let's not fall for Nigel Farage’s divisiveness and racist clap-trap. Do we really want to become like the USA with masked government thugs on the streets and corruption running rife? ***–Protopia***

What is it with old white men deciding they can proscribe what women do with their bodies? Maybe the non-far-right people can suggest that all men have to account for every ejaculation and if any of them lead to an unwanted pregnancy they should immediately have a vasectomy. ***–Redshoogi***

## **Re:** [**‘No records’ from meetings between top officials and Mandelson’s lobbying firm**](https://www.opendemocracy.net/no-records-from-meetings-between-top-officials-and-mandelsons-lobbying-firm/)

When will the people of this nation begin to demand accountability of elected officials by means other than elections? Laws and courts exist, why are the population so hellbent on not utilising them against corrupt officials? ***–Contextuliser***