Corbyn’s class war on the BBC sharpens the claws of identity politics
SIR – The requirement proposed by Jeremy Corbyn, the Leader of the Opposition, for the BBC to reveal the “social class” of its workers (report, August 23) is merely identity politics taken to its logical conclusion.
At the moment things are too simplistic: ethnic minority woman – good; old Anglo-saxon man – bad. This new higher-resolution data will enable much more targeted and politically effective discrimination. Mike Kaye
Lincoln
SIR – Perhaps Mr Corbyn should also ask the BBC to reveal the political status of their staff.
One thing’s for certain, there will be a heavy bias towards the Labour Party. John Hinchsliff
Sutton-on-trent, Nottinghamshire
SIR – Presumably in this brave new world anybody who used to live in a seven-bedroom manor house in rural Shropshire and was privileged enough to attend the local grammar school would be ruled out of consideration for any high office. Mark Calvin
Dolgellau, Merionethshire
SIR – Isn’t Mr Corbyn’s Director of Communications and Strategy, Seumas Milne, the son of a former director general of the BBC, and educated at Winchester and Balliol?
If he got his job based on merit, why should others from a similar background not be able to do the same? Sandra Jones
Old Cleeve, Somerset
SIR – Mr Corbyn’s idea that the social class of BBC presenters and journalists should be declared in an effort to improve diversity is nothing short of social cleansing in pursuit of an ideological class war.
Why should an individual be judged for the choices made by his or her parents?
Even Diane Abbott, who would no doubt consider herself to be working class, made the choice to send her son to a private school. Were he to work for the BBC, would he be disadvantaged by the sacrifices made by his mother? Brian Pegnall
Falmouth, Cornwall
SIR – Will Mr Corbyn, if he ever becomes prime minister, insist that public-school BBC staff wear their old school ties and those of humbler origin appear in collarless shirts? Sheila Williams
Sunningdale, Berkshire
SIR – Mr Corbyn could make a start by providing all the same information about Labour MPS and councillors. If not, why not? Bruce Proctor
Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
SIR – Poor Jeremy Corbyn, riven with hatreds, jealousies and envy. What a miserable life he must lead. Miranda Gudenian
Honiton, Devon