Mcdonnell’s form
How serious for Labour was shadow home secretary Diane Abbott’s gaffe on LBC about the cost of recruiting an extra 10,000 police officers in England and Wales (your report, 3 May)? It was interesting that leader Jeremy Corbyn was quick to back her and coolly say on television what the actual estimate of the cost was. Her pitiful performance probably does not rank alongside other debacles like the 1992 “war of Jennifer’s ear” or Gordonbrown’s “bigot”jibeabout Mrs Gillian Duffy in 2010, or Ed Miliband’s election promises on a tablet of stone two years ago. It is perhaps fortunate for Labour that the setback has occurred very early in the election campaign, even though modern politicians are expected to be on top of their brief, numerate and articulate. Few things are more damaging to credibility than badly thought out and presented policies which lack accounting rigour.
Is there any way back for the official opposition? One of Mr Corbyn’s more credible acolytes, shadow chancellor John Mcdonnell, has yet to make an impact on the campaign. This may well be by design. His impact is likely to be more marked after the publication of the manifestos, when the costs of commitments come under really close scrutiny.
His homely, well-informed and detailed style may yet prove to be his party’s saving grace in the sense that he might help keep the Conservative majority well down into double figures. He has the political acumen and presen- tational skills to expose Chancellor Philip Hammond’s more bland approach on pensions, tax help for small firms, the future of tax credits, cost of Brexit and so on. Labour’s organisers should give close attention to how his profile can be heightened to best effect in the coming weeks.
BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes Theresa May supposedly doesn’t want TV leaders’ debates, but wants to campaign face to face with the public. So she launches her campaign in Scotland in a hut in the woods outside Banchory. No ordinary members of the public in sight, just party hacks, Tory MSPS and the media. Followed by a knock on a constituent’s door which wasn’t answered. A true reflection of how Conservatives are viewed in Scotland; hiding from scrutiny and presenting a false picture of events.
D SEENAN East Bankton Place, Murieston A general election is unjustified on so many counts. As recently as 2011 the Fixed Term Parliament Act was established to discourage such opportunism by a sitting Government. It has failed at first time of asking.
The UK has a Parliamentary democracy, not a Presidential system. Mrs May’s pleas for the country to “vote for her” are not appropriate.
“We need a strong Government at this critical time.” Do we? Surely what we need is a strong Parliament holding the Government to account.
“A strong mandate will strengthen the UK’S hand in EU negotiations.” Where is the evidence for that? Angela Merkel’s influence is considerable despite her having “only” a coalition government.
To quote Mrs May and others: “Now is not the time.” We should respect the will of British people per the general election of only two years ago.
ROB PEARSON Glamis Place, Dalgety Bay