KEVIN McKenna (“Time to rage against smug creep towards moderation”, The Herald, September 24) misses the point somewhat.
In order to radically change the course of society in the UK a politician has to gain power and therefore has to be electable. Raging against the Government has no effect if you have a government with a majority, and regardless of the noise you make you will be unable to have any influence on its skewed policies.
The party therefore has to have a charismatic, competent, articulate and pragmatic leader. To gain power some form of compromise is necessary and those who stick to extreme principles regardless of public opinion will never be elected and therefore will have no chance to affect the progress of our society.
I have long been a Labour supporter and initially welcomed the election of Jeremy Corbyn as he appeared to have genuine belief in creating a fairer society. Despite his history of repeatedly voting against his party I had hoped he might learn how to become a pragmatic political leader. As it has turned out, I, along with many other left of centre members of the public, have been bitterly disillusioned with his performance and that of the party as a whole. The Tories have been in complete disarray and he has failed to hold them to account (Prime Minister’s question time has been an embarrassment for us). He also failed to give leadership in the Remain campaign and this has contributed to the current Brexit disaster. His policies regarding creating a more equal society are admirable but in order to be able to implement them he must be able to win power.
Scottish Labour has been even worse and has had to cede the title of the official opposition to the Tories, who appear to have different standards to the English party and more able to hold the SNP to account. This is largely on the basis of an effective, charismatic leader in the person of Ruth Davidson. Hence the reason a good leader is so important to the success of a party. I do not believe Jeremy Corbyn fulfils this requirement.
Rob Smith,
Windsor Place, Stirling.
I would like to use your Letters Pages to congratulate Jeremy Corbyn on his victory in the leadership contest, even though I did not vote for him.
However, I require him or one of his aides to give me some advice. Recently I was interviewed by my local Labour Party regarding my suitability as a candidate for the local authority elections in May 2017. As I had anticipated I was asked, if elected, what I would do if my views on a particular subject were at odds with the consensus in the Labour Group on the council. I said that I would vigorously argue my corner within a private group meeting, hoping to persuade colleagues to adopt my thinking and change their position. However, if I failed, then as a Labour Party councillor, I would follow the party whip.
Given that the re-affirmed leader of our party has voted more than 500 times against the party whip what will the approach be in the future? Jeremy, please get in touch. In return can I offer some advice. I always find it best to reserve a seat on the train.
David A MacKenzie,
12 Torridon Place, Kinross.
MSP Neil Findlay had the opportunity as he took the rostrum at the Labour Party conference to give delagates a clear vision of the the party’s vision for Scotland on vital issues such as education, housing, employment and much more. But instead of grasping this opportunity, he gave the conference the clear reason why Labour in Scotland is in the doldrums: no vision, no clear policies only negative campaigning, as he lambasted the SNP Scottish Government, then left the rostrum. It wasa missed opportunity.
Catriona C Clark,
52 Hawthorn Drive, Banknock, Falkirk.
LET history record that on Saturday, September 24, 2016, the Labour Party of the United Kingdom signed its own death warrant on ideological grounds. No red roses at the funeral please.
Mark Boyle,
15 Linn Park Gardens, Johnstone.
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