Gang of Seven

It tooK a long time for seven labour Party mPs to screw their courage to the sticking place.

someone had to stand up against a marxist takeover of a great, principled and formerly democratic party of the centre-left at a stage when internal opposition is doomed.

as to the predictable claim this will ‘let the tories in’, they’re in already and, hapless as they are, look to be there for as long as the opposition is the present labour leadership.

even for an erstwhile labour loyalist, better the tories than an anti-patriotic, totalitarian apologist for anti- semitism. besides, this brave act might just succeed. Dr ROBERT LOCKIE,

Hove, E. Sussex. tHe latest twist in the political deadlock is to form an alternative party. It sounds good, but they are the same old faces and ideas.

the mPs advocating a new party are ardent remainers. they may view the electorate as intellectually lacking, but do they fool anyone when they plead national interest for their actions? no, their pride is at stake, not to mention the privileged position they occupy. self-interest is at the heart of their dilemma, so can anyone explain how reneging on a manifesto pledge is vote-worthy?

F. McMANUS, Leeds. tHe seven politicians were not elected as independents, so if they do not want to represent their constituents as labour mPs, they should resign and have by-elections.

GARY FIRTH, Huddersfield.