Labour wrong to keep moving right

Sir, – With the latest defections from the Conservative and Unionist Party to the UK Labour Party by two MPs, and the announcement of a former chancellor and sacked chairman of the party that he will stand down at the next election, it would appear Sir Keir Starmer is simply waiting until sufficient MPs resign or defect to take over as prime minister, without a general election required.

I jest, but it could seem that way.

A major concern for Starmer with these defections is the change to the political direction of UK Labour and, of course, the Scottish party. What will people think and how will they view their party’s infection by these new arrivals’ political views? It is already quite evident that Labour is mirroring the direction of the Conservatives in Westminster, who are heading farther right, like a virus hunting new hosts.

If Suella Braverman is any guide to a significant slice of the governing party, many believe they should forge further to the right to regain voters who recently boosted the Reform Party’s fortunes in the English council elections.

It doesn’t seem a good look for Labour, with its roots allegedly cemented in left-of-centre politics, when it accepts a Conservative who is considerably farther to the right of their historic average, yet the likes of Diane Abbot and Jeremy Corbyn have lost the whip.

Starmer is right, yes, and moving further right. Alistair Ballantyne, Angus.