Huge to-do list for PM Starmer
■ When, hopefully not if, Keir Starmer becomes prime minister he must lance the boil of serious over-management which is wrecking the NHS jewel Nye Bevan founded in 1948.
He should also rationalise rather than nationalise – which is too expensive – the numerous railway companies under one management structure with the same staff pay and conditions throughout to avoid the current total chaos due to the strikes.
He should also abolish many of the arcane practices in the House of Commons so votes can be done in a few minutes as they are in the devolved Parliaments. And finally, sadly a very rare thing of late, he must restore at long last some respect and trust in politicians.
Patrick Tracey, Carlisle, Cumbria
■ In 2024, we need to see the Labour Party pledge to fund the criminal justice system after years of Tory neglect. They nearly destroyed the probation service which must be recovered in full, while the courts and legal aid need proper funding.
We don’t need more prisons but we do require a root and branch review. Labour must also work with the police to increase accountability there. The nationalisation issues are many and complex, therefore I feel it would be wise to commence with the water companies, Royal Mail and the trains. Everything else must wait until the second term.
Robert Boston, Kingshill Kent
■ We desperately need a Labour government and for this to happen Sir Keir has to walk a very difficult path.
He must appeal to disgruntled Tory voters without alienating traditional Labour supporters to get a decent majority so he can put right some of the harms caused by the worst government in living memory.
So far Keir has proved he is up to the task after making the party electable again following the disaster of the Corbyn years.
Gillian Foley, Manchester
■ Many people are confused by what Keir Starmer and the Labour Party actually stand for, so it’s good he is starting to lay out his plans.
I would like him to pledge to repeal all the anti-trade union laws and ensure the triple lock for state pensioners is guaranteed for the next five years. I’d like him to promise to take the railways and energy back into public ownership.
Alec McFadden, Sunderland
■ Keir Starmer is right not to promise the world to the great British public because Labour won’t be able to mend what this scheming, cheating Tory Party has done over the last 14 years. Most people with any sense realise that change will take time.
I urge Keir to be realistic with his promises and hopefully he’ll win with a decent majority to get the job done. Let’s hope the people aren’t fooled again by Tory lies.
Pete Lammas, Broughton North Lincs
■ Keir Starmer must restore adequate funding to local councils which will enable them to improve social care and hopefully reduce council tax, thus easing the burden on struggling households.
He must also promise to impose windfall taxes and fair taxation of the big corporations that hide their wealth abroad. Profit made in this country should be taxed in this country. This would enable the NHS to be funded adequately.
R Tandy, Liverpool
■ Sure winners with the electorate would be the abolition of parking charges at hospitals and the taking back into public ownership of the rip-off utility companies.