Keir is the man to kick out Boris

I RESIGNED from the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn after being a member for 35 years. Until now, I have seen no reason to rejoin as I’ve been somewhat underwhelmed by Keir Starmer’s performance as leader.

However, after listening to his 90-minute speech to the Labour conference in Brighton, I may well rethink. I thought Keir ticked all the right boxes and clearly aimed his speech at the middle ground, without which it is impossible to win an election – something diehard left-wingers and whingers need to wake up and realise.

Well done, Sir Keir. Now show some teeth at PMQs every week and those polling figures will soon start to swing the right way.

Bob McDonald, Rhondda Cynon Taf

The left-wingers who heckled Sir Keir Starmer during his first speech at the Labour Conference in Brighton since he became leader appear to have learned nothing from the past.

The party’s heavy defeat at the 2019 general election was largely because Jeremy Corbyn’s manifesto was full of outdated and farfetched policies, as well as the anti-Semitism that drove away traditional voters. Supporters of the former Labour leader must face the fact that no left-winger has ever won a general election for the party and never will.

Steve Goulding, Sheffield

Sir Keir Starmer’s speech was excellent, outlining the party’s plans if elected under his watch. He gave a personal tragic example

of experience of the NHS while the thank you to all the key workers for the part they played during the initial stage of the pandemic was very welcome.

As for the hecklers, they had their day in the sun and were dealt with brilliantly by Starmer. If they do not like him, please leave – the party doesn’t need them.

Michael McSherry Farnham, Surrey

This country would be a much better place with Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. Only he is capable of uniting the Labour Party and levelling up the country. Voters need to stop listening to Boris Johnson’s empty promises.

His disastrous handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to one of the highest death tolls. I am proud to say I have never voted Conservative in my life.

Julie Raven Leamington Spa, Warks

Labour’s hard left should take a good hard look at themselves and reflect upon why the party got smashed out of sight at the last election – the

worst result since the 1930s. Whatever happened to everybody pulling together and trying to win the next election?

We’ve got the worst government for generations and we are still fighting among ourselves.

Keith Bowman Chesterfield, Derbys

I felt sorry for Keir Starmer at the Labour Party conference. He was trying to map out Labour’s plans by addressing a larger audience at home, yet was still being barracked by certain sections of the hall who seem bent on ousting him.

The Labour Party needs a new direction and I think Keir Starmer is best placed to lead it.

Ken Pennington Stalybridge, Gtr Manchester

In reply to S Smith of North London who, in a dig at the Labour left, trots out the old saying, “What’s the point of principles without power?” (Your Voice, Sept 29), they would do well to remember it’s much worse to have power with no principles.

RJ Smith Basingstoke, Hants