Sir, In the wake of the TV debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it is clear to all objective observers that the president needs to step down to make way for a younger candidate who will have a chance of winning in November (news, leading article, letter, Jun 29). This may not happen for a variety of reasons: Biden’s “determination”, the wheels of party procedure, a reticence among Democrats to “break ranks” or a state of denial. None of these or other reasons are weighty enough to justify not acting decisively before the Democratic convention in August. The alternative is a predictable election night with all the recriminations and post-factum regrets customary on such occasions. Russell PhillipsBury, LancsSir,
