Readers reflect on the Conservative libertarians who have not objected to the government’s illiberal legislation

The Tory rebels spout about slippery slopes, kneejerk emergency measures and “a permanent change to the understanding of what liberty is” (MPs back Covid passes in England amid large Tory rebellion, 14 December). They should read that great libertarian John Stuart Mill: “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.”

It’s pretty clear that being complicit in the spread of Covid-19 to your fellow citizens is likely to do some of them harm, so restrictions on the behaviour of those who wilfully refuse to minimise the risk are not only justified, but are an essential act by any responsible government.
Doug Maughan
Dunblane, Stirling

This post was originally published on Human rights | The Guardian.