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| Labour mustn’t wait. It should unite to make the most of Tory disarray | Labour mustn’t wait. It should unite to make the most of Tory disarray |
| (13 days later) | |
| Jackie Ashley’s suggestion that Jeremy Corbyn is “an accidental leader” is one compelling reason why he has managed to attract so much support – getting to No 10 was not part of a meticulously planned personal career path, like many who lead or have led the main parties (Labour rebels, the war is over. Come in from the cold, 12 June). Now the key task is to build the strongest possible opposition to a Tory party whose disunity has been exposed to public scrutiny. So, while there may be some differences in the names of those whose return to the shadow cabinet might be most warmly welcomed, and those required to move over to make it possible, that should not obscure Ashley’s principal message – Labour has been harmed by sore losers sulking. If they are serious about wanting their party to look like a government in waiting they should pledge their loyalty today.Les BrightExeter, Devon | Jackie Ashley’s suggestion that Jeremy Corbyn is “an accidental leader” is one compelling reason why he has managed to attract so much support – getting to No 10 was not part of a meticulously planned personal career path, like many who lead or have led the main parties (Labour rebels, the war is over. Come in from the cold, 12 June). Now the key task is to build the strongest possible opposition to a Tory party whose disunity has been exposed to public scrutiny. So, while there may be some differences in the names of those whose return to the shadow cabinet might be most warmly welcomed, and those required to move over to make it possible, that should not obscure Ashley’s principal message – Labour has been harmed by sore losers sulking. If they are serious about wanting their party to look like a government in waiting they should pledge their loyalty today.Les BrightExeter, Devon |
| • As John Harris points out (Opinion, 10 June) the outcome of the general election gives Labour an opportunity to build towards unifying a divided nation. The popularity of the party’s manifesto demonstrates that traditional socialist policies – including selective nationalisation, higher taxes for the wealthy and protection for pensioners – still have resonance with much of the electorate. The manifesto also goes a long way to restoring a fair deal for the young. | • As John Harris points out (Opinion, 10 June) the outcome of the general election gives Labour an opportunity to build towards unifying a divided nation. The popularity of the party’s manifesto demonstrates that traditional socialist policies – including selective nationalisation, higher taxes for the wealthy and protection for pensioners – still have resonance with much of the electorate. The manifesto also goes a long way to restoring a fair deal for the young. |
| Equally there is a case for extending and deepening the democratic element in the social democratic mix. To do so requires giving shape and substance to the current democratic surge by increasing popular participation across Britain’s institutions – a fourth phase perhaps in Thomas Marshall’s trilogy of accumulated citizens’ rights. This should extend from school councils – providing experiential learning of democratic processes – to employee representation on corporate boards. Community-based democracy could be developed by requiring supermarkets to negotiate local contracts to, for instance, use a quota of local produce and meet enhanced environmental standards. | Equally there is a case for extending and deepening the democratic element in the social democratic mix. To do so requires giving shape and substance to the current democratic surge by increasing popular participation across Britain’s institutions – a fourth phase perhaps in Thomas Marshall’s trilogy of accumulated citizens’ rights. This should extend from school councils – providing experiential learning of democratic processes – to employee representation on corporate boards. Community-based democracy could be developed by requiring supermarkets to negotiate local contracts to, for instance, use a quota of local produce and meet enhanced environmental standards. |
| The idea could be applied, as appropriate, to other large businesses. The British system of democracy is not so perfect that it is beyond improvement. There is no shortage of ideas to transform widespread anti-elitism and desire for fairness into hard policy. Labour must not fudge its unexpected historic opportunity.Mike O’DonnellLondon | The idea could be applied, as appropriate, to other large businesses. The British system of democracy is not so perfect that it is beyond improvement. There is no shortage of ideas to transform widespread anti-elitism and desire for fairness into hard policy. Labour must not fudge its unexpected historic opportunity.Mike O’DonnellLondon |
| • Larry Elliott’s call to “sit back and watch events unfold” (Let the Tories clear up their own mess, 12 June) would not only be a dereliction of duty by Her Majesty’s official opposition to remove the Tories from office, but seriously underestimates the Conservatives’ resolve to regroup, reunite and keep on to illegitimate power. With every day and week that passes, the Tories will be addressing their most high-profile vote-losing errors and policies; just watch as pensioners are prioritised, austerity put on ice, fox hunting falls down the priority list, free school meals return and a more cooperative tone with the EU is taken. Before we know it, the Tories will have shamelessly rewritten history, recast themselves as a viable option, and the opportunity for an overdue Labour government will be lost. | • Larry Elliott’s call to “sit back and watch events unfold” (Let the Tories clear up their own mess, 12 June) would not only be a dereliction of duty by Her Majesty’s official opposition to remove the Tories from office, but seriously underestimates the Conservatives’ resolve to regroup, reunite and keep on to illegitimate power. With every day and week that passes, the Tories will be addressing their most high-profile vote-losing errors and policies; just watch as pensioners are prioritised, austerity put on ice, fox hunting falls down the priority list, free school meals return and a more cooperative tone with the EU is taken. Before we know it, the Tories will have shamelessly rewritten history, recast themselves as a viable option, and the opportunity for an overdue Labour government will be lost. |
| Time is of the essence; Corbyn must challenge Theresa May at every step, the Queen’s speech must be voted down, and this woeful excuse for a government should be brought to an end. Napoleon may never have interfered in a self-destructive enemy, but he was not one to keep his powder so dry that it all blew away in the wind of inaction. Nick MayerSouthampton | Time is of the essence; Corbyn must challenge Theresa May at every step, the Queen’s speech must be voted down, and this woeful excuse for a government should be brought to an end. Napoleon may never have interfered in a self-destructive enemy, but he was not one to keep his powder so dry that it all blew away in the wind of inaction. Nick MayerSouthampton |
| • “Never interfere with an enemy while he’s in the process of destroying himself.” Napoleon’s words couldn’t be more appropriate for the current situation. All Jeremy Corbyn has to do is sit back, watch the Tories dig themselves deeper and deeper into the mire and let the voters see them try to wriggle out of the unholy mess they have created. Another election soon? Bring it on.Enid GibsonWalton-on-Thames, Surrey | • “Never interfere with an enemy while he’s in the process of destroying himself.” Napoleon’s words couldn’t be more appropriate for the current situation. All Jeremy Corbyn has to do is sit back, watch the Tories dig themselves deeper and deeper into the mire and let the voters see them try to wriggle out of the unholy mess they have created. Another election soon? Bring it on.Enid GibsonWalton-on-Thames, Surrey |
| • It is reassuring to hear the kind words of Labour MPs after Jeremy Corbyn’s outstanding campaign. We, as inner-city GPs, have seen the devastating impact of the policies of successive governments on the most vulnerable in society. We saw Corbyn providing a real alternative and his manifesto offered hope that things could be different. We went out and campaigned for our local Labour MP, though he is not known as a Corbyn supporter, because we felt that to do nothing and allow the wholesale destruction of the NHS was indefensible. We believe, as John Prescott has suggested, that had Labour MPs across the country supported their leader from the start, and promoted his agenda of hope, we would now have a Labour government. | • It is reassuring to hear the kind words of Labour MPs after Jeremy Corbyn’s outstanding campaign. We, as inner-city GPs, have seen the devastating impact of the policies of successive governments on the most vulnerable in society. We saw Corbyn providing a real alternative and his manifesto offered hope that things could be different. We went out and campaigned for our local Labour MP, though he is not known as a Corbyn supporter, because we felt that to do nothing and allow the wholesale destruction of the NHS was indefensible. We believe, as John Prescott has suggested, that had Labour MPs across the country supported their leader from the start, and promoted his agenda of hope, we would now have a Labour government. |
| We are happy for the Labour MPs who now owe their seats in parliament to Corbyn and the tireless work of his supporters. But for the NHS, and the vulnerable in society, for whom the future is decidedly less rosy, these kind words are too little and too late. Dr Kirsten Shirke and Dr Edward SmythLondon | We are happy for the Labour MPs who now owe their seats in parliament to Corbyn and the tireless work of his supporters. But for the NHS, and the vulnerable in society, for whom the future is decidedly less rosy, these kind words are too little and too late. Dr Kirsten Shirke and Dr Edward SmythLondon |
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| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
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