Labour and brexit

During the Blair and Brown years Labour party conferences would feature centrist and pro-eu policies being the subject of speeches in the main hall while left-wing views on nationalisation and other ways of curtailing capitalism, including the EU single market, were confined to side meetings. Under the Corbyn-leonard leadership the situation is reversed.

I personally am of the former persuasion, but I acknowledge that there is some value and great appeal to many in the left-wing position.

I would contend therefore that Labour’s position on Brexit is not “shambolic” as Mary Thomas suggests (Letters, 10 March), but signs of a party where there is debate between differing positions, unlike the SNP where this sort of behaviour is discouraged. I would prefer to stay in the EU and if not then the single market for the sake of economic stability.

I admit, however, that there are valid arguments from the Right that this curtails trade opportunities with the rest of the world that could benefit industry and from the Left that there would be constraints on state assistance to industry and public ownership which could benefit workers more.

From nationalists we hear only grievance over Brexit, demands for “return” of powers to Holyrood that the SNP would gladly leave in Brussels but no suggestions on how these would be used to improve the lot of farmers, fishermen and all other workers in Scotland and no suggestions on how trade can be improved other than by putting a wee flag on a biscuit tin.

DR S J CLARK Easter Road, Edinburgh

At the Scottish Labour Conference in Dundee, Jeremy Corbyn tells us he can take another 20 Scottish Westminster seats at the next general election.

Arguably a tad optimistic, though the SNP’S grip on Scottish politics, while strong, is incrementally weakening. Certainly ten nationalist seats have slim majorities and most are vulnerable to Labour.

Unlike Nicola Sturgeon, Corbyn is a genuine socialist whose policies will inevitably play well in the urbanised central belt and Dundee that have lately become SNP heartlands.

Yet many pro-uk supporters regard Corbyn’s position on the Union as wishy-washy compared to the unambiguous anti-indyref2 stance of Theresa May. He’s unlikely to steal Tory seats.

Plus, Scottish Labour siding with the SNP over the arguably illegal Holyrood EU Withdrawal Bill is naive. It seems the SNP cannily recruited Scottish Labour as allies in their relentless “them and us” games with Westminster.

Labour will grow its Scottish seat tally at the next general election but, to increase to 27 Corbyn must continually reinforce a crystal-clear prouk, anti-nationalist position.

MARTIN REDFERN Woodcroft Road, Edinburgh