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Labour establishment blind to their own failings that led to Jeremy Corbyn surge Labour establishment blind to their own failings that led to Jeremy Corbyn surge
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Those, like me, who have stuck with Labour through the years of the Iraq war, PFI and privatisations don’t appreciate lectures from those like Polly Toynbee who walked out to form the SDP when things weren’t going their way (This is bigger than Labour: if Corbyn wins, Britain could be out of Europe, 25 August).Those, like me, who have stuck with Labour through the years of the Iraq war, PFI and privatisations don’t appreciate lectures from those like Polly Toynbee who walked out to form the SDP when things weren’t going their way (This is bigger than Labour: if Corbyn wins, Britain could be out of Europe, 25 August).
Toynbee raises the spectre of a “purge” of MPs, but no evidence exists that this is planned. Candidates are there to serve the party, not vice versa. If the politics of an MP are out of tune with those of the local party that they are supposed to represent, there is a democratic process to open up the selection. It is this democracy which recent party leaders have stamped on. Is Toynbee against a democratic selection process?Toynbee raises the spectre of a “purge” of MPs, but no evidence exists that this is planned. Candidates are there to serve the party, not vice versa. If the politics of an MP are out of tune with those of the local party that they are supposed to represent, there is a democratic process to open up the selection. It is this democracy which recent party leaders have stamped on. Is Toynbee against a democratic selection process?
Related: Labour party membership, surges and purges | Letters
I can vote for Corbyn with enthusiasm and enjoy the sight of others flocking to support him. Then I’m told he couldn’t win an election because he couldn’t win over Tories. I am not against convincing Tories to vote Labour, though why they would do so if Labour stands on policies barely distinguishable from the Tories at times escapes me. But anyway, only 24% of those on the electoral roll voted for this government, so basic arithmetic tells me that it is not essential to win over a single Tory vote to win an election. And that ignores the further 7 million not on the register, who often think voting is a waste of time since “they are all the same”.I can vote for Corbyn with enthusiasm and enjoy the sight of others flocking to support him. Then I’m told he couldn’t win an election because he couldn’t win over Tories. I am not against convincing Tories to vote Labour, though why they would do so if Labour stands on policies barely distinguishable from the Tories at times escapes me. But anyway, only 24% of those on the electoral roll voted for this government, so basic arithmetic tells me that it is not essential to win over a single Tory vote to win an election. And that ignores the further 7 million not on the register, who often think voting is a waste of time since “they are all the same”.
Labour has lost millions of votes since 1997 because of the policies Labour governments have pursued. A Corbyn-led party could win those people back in a way the other leadership candidates couldn’t. Instead of pouring cold water on the vitality of those backing Corbyn, Toynbee would do better to recognise that it is precisely that energy and enthusiasm which can lead to a Labour victory.Pete Firmin (party member for 40 years)LondonLabour has lost millions of votes since 1997 because of the policies Labour governments have pursued. A Corbyn-led party could win those people back in a way the other leadership candidates couldn’t. Instead of pouring cold water on the vitality of those backing Corbyn, Toynbee would do better to recognise that it is precisely that energy and enthusiasm which can lead to a Labour victory.Pete Firmin (party member for 40 years)London
• In her anguish Polly Toynbee makes an observation that both she and the three “mainstream” Labour leadership candidates need to reflect on more carefully: “but without Tory votes he [Corbyn] needs to be a magician”. The inescapable fact is that people who vote Tory tend to do so because they like Tory policies. So what is Polly suggesting here other than the continuation of the very phenomenon that has so repulsed so many of those who have flocked to join the party and support Corbyn ie that Labour is too close to Tory ideology. The circle cannot be squared. Either Labour represents something identifiably different and distinct or it should depart the stage.Ted WoodgateBillericay, Essex• In her anguish Polly Toynbee makes an observation that both she and the three “mainstream” Labour leadership candidates need to reflect on more carefully: “but without Tory votes he [Corbyn] needs to be a magician”. The inescapable fact is that people who vote Tory tend to do so because they like Tory policies. So what is Polly suggesting here other than the continuation of the very phenomenon that has so repulsed so many of those who have flocked to join the party and support Corbyn ie that Labour is too close to Tory ideology. The circle cannot be squared. Either Labour represents something identifiably different and distinct or it should depart the stage.Ted WoodgateBillericay, Essex
• So will Polly Toynbee defect from Labour for a second time? Many young people like me joined the SDP precisely in response to Labour’s visceral anti-Europeanism under the leadership of Michael Foot, and the dark days of the 70s and its endless strikes.• So will Polly Toynbee defect from Labour for a second time? Many young people like me joined the SDP precisely in response to Labour’s visceral anti-Europeanism under the leadership of Michael Foot, and the dark days of the 70s and its endless strikes.
The forthcoming EU referendum is the most important vote during the lifetime of this five-year parliament. We already know that Jeremy Corbyn opposes Nato and wants Ukraine to remain subject to the former Soviet sphere, against its people’s wishes. It is also likely he would lead Labour back to its Eurosceptic 80s, with equally damaging consequences potentially for trade and human rights.The forthcoming EU referendum is the most important vote during the lifetime of this five-year parliament. We already know that Jeremy Corbyn opposes Nato and wants Ukraine to remain subject to the former Soviet sphere, against its people’s wishes. It is also likely he would lead Labour back to its Eurosceptic 80s, with equally damaging consequences potentially for trade and human rights.
Tim Farron has called for progressive pro-Europeans to join the Lib Dems, where they will find a far more welcome home to fight for their core beliefs, the referendum campaign, electoral reform and the next general election.Dr Alan BullionTunbridge Wells, KentTim Farron has called for progressive pro-Europeans to join the Lib Dems, where they will find a far more welcome home to fight for their core beliefs, the referendum campaign, electoral reform and the next general election.Dr Alan BullionTunbridge Wells, Kent
• What I find most striking is the way the three “establishment” candidates and their vocal supporters – from Alan Johnson to Tony Blair to Betty Boothroyd – are happy to call those party members and supporters who are minded to support Jeremy Corbyn extremists, mad, destructive, stupid and ill-intentioned, but show no sign of any introspection as to why this surge in support for Mr Corbyn has come about.• What I find most striking is the way the three “establishment” candidates and their vocal supporters – from Alan Johnson to Tony Blair to Betty Boothroyd – are happy to call those party members and supporters who are minded to support Jeremy Corbyn extremists, mad, destructive, stupid and ill-intentioned, but show no sign of any introspection as to why this surge in support for Mr Corbyn has come about.
No suggestion has come from Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall that maybe, just maybe, they and their colleagues in the shadow cabinet have been getting something seriously wrong. That by trimming their sails to policies that are anathema to many inside the party – and a betrayal of all the bold, good things that were achieved in terms of domestic policy by the Blair/Brown Labour governments – they have caused swaths of the party’s supporters to turn away in bewilderment and disgust.No suggestion has come from Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall that maybe, just maybe, they and their colleagues in the shadow cabinet have been getting something seriously wrong. That by trimming their sails to policies that are anathema to many inside the party – and a betrayal of all the bold, good things that were achieved in terms of domestic policy by the Blair/Brown Labour governments – they have caused swaths of the party’s supporters to turn away in bewilderment and disgust.
Not one of them seems to ponder whether their feeble timidity in the face of the rampant cruelty and unfairness of the present government’s policies, most recently in the latest round of welfare cuts, has disappointed their erstwhile supporters and made them wonder what the Labour party was for if not to uphold support and fair treatment for the most vulnerable. If the Labour party does not do that then it is worth nothing.Not one of them seems to ponder whether their feeble timidity in the face of the rampant cruelty and unfairness of the present government’s policies, most recently in the latest round of welfare cuts, has disappointed their erstwhile supporters and made them wonder what the Labour party was for if not to uphold support and fair treatment for the most vulnerable. If the Labour party does not do that then it is worth nothing.
It would behove them to think a little further and a little deeper rather than shouting mere vulgar abuse at us.Ann ScurfieldLondonIt would behove them to think a little further and a little deeper rather than shouting mere vulgar abuse at us.Ann ScurfieldLondon
• Surely we need to know what Jeremy Corbyn – if elected Labour leader – would wear to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day?Paulinus BarnesWrexham• Surely we need to know what Jeremy Corbyn – if elected Labour leader – would wear to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day?Paulinus BarnesWrexham