Corbyn coming?

Suddenly, in defiance, seemingly, of the laws of political gravity, there is now some prospect that Prime Minister Theresa May will not get the substantialincrease in her majority that she craves ( your report, 1 June). The prospect of a minority Labour government l ed by Jeremy Corbyn is no longer in the realms of political fantasy. For, make no mistake, if the Conservatives emerge as the largest party but with no majority, Mrs May will have to resign. She sought an increased majority to strengthen her hand in negotiations with the Euro - pean Union; in the event that that does not materialise, her credibility will be in tatters. She will have to go.

There will be turmoil in the markets, certainly, and the test of character and competence for Mr Corbyn and his likely Chancellor, John Mcdonnell, will be enormous. So, too, will their political skillsbe tested as they seek some sort of accommodation with the SNP and other parties about how to make the government work. One likely scenario if this happens is that we could be back at the polls before the end of the year ( just think back to Ramsay Macdonald’s minority victor y in 1923 and Harold Wilson’s in 1974). Another is that an agreement could be struck about an independence referendum with the Nationalists, perhaps as soon as the Brexit negotiations are over. That might let the government continue for a few years. Needless to say, the Tories will pull out all the stop sin the next few days to highlight the supposed instability this will cause.

But it all makes for a more exciting finale to this general election campaign than anyone could have imagined six weeks ago.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes I have to disagree with Kenny MacAs kill when he accuses those who attack Jeremy Corbyn of hypocrisy, over his meetings with the IRA ( Perspective, 1 June). He says that people like Douglas Hurd also met with them, but Hurd represented government, in searchesfor peace, Corbyn did not.

Were this Corbyn’s only such meeting, then perhaps it can be forgotten, but it is not.

Jeremy Corbynh asap enchant for revolutionary, unsavoury characters, right up to thepresent day,eg Castro, and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. They seem to draw out the neo- Marxist in him, and if you judge people by the company they keep, then Mr Corbyn looks bad.

Mr Corbyn’s judgment must be questioned, and he does not seem prime ministerial material. WILLIAM BALLANTINE

Dean Road, Bo’ness Jeremy Corbyn is gathering more support as he tells us that a Labour government will increase taxes, increase borrowing and set a higher minimum wage. Harold Wilson – a former Labour Prime Minister–toldus that one man’s wage increase is another man’s cost increase.

There are many small businesses – hairdressers, coffee shops and care homes, for example – which will not be able to absorb extra staff costs, and will cease trading, adding to further unemployment.

An increase in corporation tax will send a clear message to foreign investors: don’ t come to t he UK, as we are a high tax country. Also, companies such asDiageo could re locate their headquarters to Dublin and HSBC to Hong Kong. Many other high quality companies could follow suit.

The pound sterling will fall with the advent of a Lab our Government, and although this will be good news for exporters it will increase inflation as import prices rise.

Overallconfidence in the pound and Labour’s ability to govern can only go one way – south. Remember Gordon Brown?

There will be more borrowing to add to the current £ 1.8 trillion debt, which is increasing by £ 50 billion each year, and interest rates will have to rise, causing untold mis - er y for mortgage holders, as fixed interest contracts come to an end. Energy will be more expensive due to foreign imports and a lower pound.

Unemployment will rise, and many jobs in shipbuilding on the Clyde and the Faslane naval base will be at risk from a Labour Government which thinks that appeasement and negotiation can replace our excellent armed forces.

Jeremy Corbyn promises us that he will negotiate a better deal on Brexit, he promises access to the EU single market, but all the world’s population afflicted by terrorism and corruption will find a welcome home in the UK.

The money tree is growing fast.

JAMES MACINTYRE Clarendon Road, Linlithgow