Being called scum

sir – As someone who voted Conservative in the last election I take great offence at the remarks of Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader. To be described as “scum” is hardly likely to persuade me to vote Labour in the next election despite the failings of the present Government.

Bill Mason

Eccleston, Lancashire

sir – If Angela Rayner’s verbal abuse resulted from her “anger and frustration” (report, September 27), perhaps she should consider attending anger-management classes.

Liz Ford

Keyston, Huntingdonshire

sir – If today’s society rightly deems it unacceptable to use pejorative terms against others, why does Angela Rayner think she can? What does it show about her and her politics?

Dr Christina Dykes

Beaulieu, Hampshire

sir – In 1948 Aneurin Bevan used the phrase “lower than vermin” to describe Conservative MPS of the day.

The Tory reaction was to found the Vermin Club, whose members wore a badge with the word “Vermin” on the figure of a rat. These badges are now much sought-after collector’s items, and I am glad to have one.

Richard Lyon

Cambridge