Some supporters of the Labour for Scotland group want to change their party's name to the Independent Labour Party (Labour pressure group launches, News, October 19).
There is a heavy irony here: in the 1920s and 1930s, the actual Independent Labour Party, founded by Keir Hardie, wanted independence for Scotland, via a fully autonomous parliament and what was termed "dominion status" for Scotland (like that held by Canada and Australia) within the British Empire. These ideals were rejected and ultimately strangled by Labour in London.
So a renewed Independent Labour Party in Scotland, true to its principles, should become part of the Yes movement, and campaign for a independent Scotland in the forthcoming Westminster and Holyrood elections, thus vindicating and honouring the near 40% of Labour supporters who voted Yes in the recent referendum and (however belatedly) the ideals of Keir Hardie.
Randolph Murray
Rannoch
Ian Bell's column pulls no punches (Westminster be warned … deceit won't work next time, Comment, October 19). The damage done by Gordon Brown and Jim Murphy to the prospect of a fairer society on both sides of the Border deserves a page in the history books. Had these gentlemen backed a Yes vote the chances are it would have won the day. Given an independent Scottish Parliament, Labour voters would return to their roots and Brown might have become Scotland's first prime minister with Murphy as his deputy. Left without Scottish Labour MPs, feudal England, as is its wont, would continue to be run by the Tories with Ukip snapping at their heels.
The emasculation of the UK Labour Party is an achievement of which any Tory would be proud. Well done, boys.
Iain R Thomson
Cannich
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