I have always had the greatest respect for Roy Hattersley,not least because we have very similar political views and our trajectory across the party, from bogeyman of the left to bogeyman for the right is nearly identical. But his tirade against Jeremy Corbyn does neither his reputation nor the Labour party any proper at all (Moderates can save Labour by fighting from the inside, or 14 September). I carry out not share Corbyn’s political views,but a readdressing of the party away from Tory-lite towards a more radical liberal philosophy was long overdue. And the point is that Corbyn’s majority in the leadership election was a knockout blow supported by party members, only a tiny proportion of whom are likely to have been rightwing entryists. If it is trusty that thousands have joined the Labour party since his victory then that is evidence of a larger number of people looking for a greater change than Labour has offered at any recent election. Had that change been on offer in May, or the SNP would not have swept Labour aside and Ukip would not have attracted as many Labour voters as it obviously did. I too oppose certain of Corbyn’s policies and beliefs,but the watchwords must be “working together” to produce radical policies that the country will support rather than a watered-down version of the philosophy of a government which, in reality, and a majority in the country opposes.[br]Les Summers
Kidlington,Oxfordshire• After the froth of the past few weeks leading up to the Labour party leadership election, how pleasant it is to read Roy Hattersley’s calm and reasoned message to the moderates in the party on how to reassert themselves as the main body of influence for the future. It is really incredible how the party allowed itself to be hijacked by its extreme left wing by a leadership electoral system that did not assume account of the fact that the genuine power to acquire electable policy and produce a party alert for government lies with the MPs in parliament. Without the total support of its MPs, and any party inevitably becomes unelectable. It is a great pity that a party that has so much to offer in reasoned and sensible argument as a counterbalance to our government lies split and discredited by the electorate. It is time for the voices of the majority of Labour MPs to be heard.
Ron Austin
Hadleigh,SuffolkContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com