MARIANNE Taylor identifies a generational schism on the Left ("Corbyn's final chance to do the right thing over Brexit", The Herald, September 24) but draws the wrong conclusions. Jeremy Corbyn certainly is "a dogmatic old leftie" who regards the EU as a capitalist thieves' kitchen but most of his supporters grew up as European citizens and feel an emotional attachment to the European project that he will never share. However, unlike Tony Blair, Mr Corbyn doesn't tell Labour members what to think whilst steamrollering through his own agenda. He is first and foremost a democrat and that means respecting the wishes of the majority –whether Corbynistas or Brexiters – without conforming to those wishes in order to curry favour (as the Tories did when they turned into Ukip the morning after the Brexit vote).
Lastly, I must say that I was rather disturbed by Ms Taylor's final word of advice to Mr Corbyn to save his reputation with future generations by "putting country before conviction". A dogmatic old leftie like me can't help but hear a faint echo of the defence case presented at the Nuremburg trials after the Second World War, when a bunch of genuine anti-Semites (as opposed to people who simply support Palestinian resistance) made patriotic excuses for going along with Hitler. Democracy is like God – it only exists because we believe in it and – as the events in Germany 80 years ago chillingly prove, when economic disaster scares people out of their belief in the democratic process they start believing in things that are far more sinister. Whatever the economic costs of Brexit – and I agree that they will cost the poor far more than the rich – that is no justification for abandoning our faith in democracy.
Sean Pigott,
Flat 2/L, 13 Wilson Street, Largs.
CAPTAINS of industry – from the CBI to the British Chamber of Commerce – have warned that Labour's plans to renationalise the rail, water, telephone and mail industries and hand up to 10 per cent of private sector firms' equity to employees will threaten investment, pensions, jobs and the nation's financial stability.
Ah yes, because you fellows have proven to be such a rip-roaring success looking after those these last decades, haven't you?
British banks and former nationalised industries have now enjoyed so many bailouts, they qualify for membership of the Parachute Regiment.
When they wreck the economy, they expect the taxpayer to pay for their mistakes – calling it "austerity".
At least when governments wreck the economy we get to vote them out – it's called "democracy".
Mark Boyle,
15 Linn Park Gardens, Johnstone.
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