The left: all MPs need the courage to stand on their own two feet

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/dec/13/the-big-issue-labour-and-the-left

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There is more than one way of playing dirty in politics (“The self-righteous left is wallowing in its cruelty”, Comment). As a lifelong feminist, I’m increasingly depressed by all the plangent appeals to male chivalry and female solidarity coming from female career politicians.

There are disagreements about policy. If Labour female MPs want to vote along with austerity budgets, or renewing the useless Trident, or vetoing even the smallest transaction tax on City share dealing, or joining the queue to drop bombs over Syria even though Syrian refugees have begged us not to do it – those MPs are going to hear disagreement from their constituents, who are women as well as men. 

If sexist, racist intimidation and insults are used in tweets, there are several ways to combat them (from boycotting Twitter to reporting threats of bodily harm to the law). What not to do is run to the press and say: “They’re only picking on me because I’m a girl.” I’m not victimising you, sister: I just want you to show a bit more courage in your politics. It’s sad that so many able women of the Blair-formed era were only granted permission to repeat predigested phrases, market-based economics and outdated defence strategies. 

Now we have a chance of something different in parliament. I’m waiting for more female MPs to step up.Amanda SebestyenLondon NW1

I share Nick Cohen’s alarm at the Soviet-style intimidation of Labour MPs who voted for air strikes in Syria by an increasingly self-righteous and humourless bunch of so-called party activists . 

Why are peaceniks always so warlike? Members of Parliament should of course represent their constituents, but I’d much rather have an MP who has the courage to think for himself and follow his conscience than one who lives in fear of displeasing a loud but unelected pressure group; a man not a mouse.

Stalinist purges have no place in a democracy. If the electorate are unhappy with their local representative, they should vote him out at the next election.Stan LabovitchWindsor

After reading Nick Cohen’s piece, I could be forgiven for thinking that Jeremy Corbyn was directly responsible for the death threats, rape threats and abusive comments made against Labour MPs. Mr Cohen even quotes Mr Corbyn out of context to try to reinforce this impression – “no hiding place” referred to the parliamentary whipping process and MPs having to come to their own decision on how to vote, not about retribution if they decided to vote for bombing action. 

Mr Corbyn has consistently emphasised that people should debate policies and not indulge in personal abuse, which, as he has recently reminded all members, will not be tolerated in the Labour party. The unpleasant phenomenon of internet trolling has, unfortunately, been around for some time.Timothy McCordAlton Hants

Nick Cohen slams Corbyn and his supporters as being mean-spirited lefties. As a lifelong socialist (I recently joined the Labour party after years of voting Green), I am deeply offended by this comment. There are trolls within any political movement, be it left, right or centrist. To brand all supporters of a politician or proponents of a political viewpoint in this way is neither factual nor fair.Jacob CordingleyManchester

Another great piece by Nick Cohen. Labour will soon be, if it not already is, the nasty party. I write as a member of the party for over 50 years – now in despair. Can someone hand out copies of Animal Farm to all the new members for Christmas?Phelim BradyNormandySurrey