When will Labour look like an Opposition?
Would it be eccentric to suggest that Jeremy Corbyn is irresponsibly disappointing us in one vital area: offering an opposition to this extremist neoliberal Government? Isn’t that what Labour is meant to be doing, rather than indulging in self-indulgent internal bickering?
It’s clear that the Conservatives are intent, on ideological grounds, on destroying the NHS (as at least Caroline Lucas points out) although this may not be in the more general interest of the British public. Why does no opposition politician (save Lucas) highlight the issue?
And in the real world anyone who displayed the sheer incompetence so conspicuous in Jeremy Hunt’s management of the ministry under his care would be sacked. Why is no Labour MP pointing this out? Michael Rosenthal
Upper Brailes, Warwickshire Pete Rowberry (letter, 10 March) is wrong to claim that the move to reduce the power of sitting Labour MPs to select their leader is undemocratic.
The eight members who opposed Corbyn for leadership or entered the contest for deputy leadership all have safe constituencies. They were awarded these constituencies by an unelected clique; hardly a democratic procedure.
Seven of the eight voted against their leader’s wishes in the first significant division – not much loyalty there. All of them had been prominent members of the Labour Party in power which decided children should pay for their education and, with their PFI policy, led the way with the first major step towards the privatisation of the NHS; not a mandate they were given by the voters.
This group was not only decisively rejected by the Labour Party members but also thrown out of Scotland and routed by the Conservatives in England. What possible claim to democratic rights do they deserve? Clive Georgeson
Dronfield, Derbyshire It is time correspondents such as David Felton (letter, 10 March) woke up and smelled the coffee. Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party has been nothing short of a disaster and it no longer washes that he should be untouchable simply because the majority of party members voted for him. He has done little to build the broadbased coalition necessary to bring about another electable Labour Party. Instead he has surrounded himself with advisers more concerned with settling scores with Tony Blair and his associates for having the temerity to win three general elections on platforms people actually wanted to vote for.
The party lost in 2015 because it had a leader without credibility, and voters had no confidence in its ability to manage the economy, welfare or immigration.
Corbyn’s supporters need to make a choice. Do they want a narrow, self-serving debating society focused around Corbyn’s hobby horses or are they prepared to get their hands dirty by compromising with the electorate and building a policy platform voters will support? If they are not, they should stand aside and let those who wish to see another Labour government acting in the interests of those who have suffered under the Tories, while at the same time promoting the Labour Party as one of work, family and aspiration, supporting wealth creators and entrepreneurs, to take over. Keith Nieland
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire A reminder to some people who believe Corbyn was voted as leader by grassroots supporters: he wasn’t. Grass-roots supporters see him as an absolute disaster who has no chance of winning the next election. He was voted in by a lot of young people – who are not so forthcoming with campaigning. Linda Theobald London NW9