I applaud every word of Neal Lawson’s piece (Caroline Lucas was the best PM Britain never had – but she’s shown us how to fix our politics, 9 June). I had the pleasure of meeting Caroline Lucas when I chaired an address she gave to the Quaker Socialist Society several years ago. One of the strongest elements of her political career is that she took up the tools and instruments that women and men fought for, even died for, over many years: the right to vote but also the right to be elected, and from this, the right to shape the laws and conduct of a country, and to bring about true equality and democracy through strong legislation.
I understand why people choose to demonstrate, to form pressure groups, to campaign through social media. Yet, election to office is surely the wise way to change the world, with the tools bequeathed to us by the brave of the past. To abolish slavery, to gain votes for women, to outlaw racial prejudice or disrespect for homosexuality, the sure and final step is to legislate. As one who has modestly stood for and sometimes gained office, may I beg all those who seek to change life for the better to at least consider candidacy. It is your own personal and valuable bequest.
Ian Flintoff
Former parliamentary candidate and borough councillor, Oxford
• In October 2014, I wrote a letter to the Guardian saying that Caroline Lucas “is widely regarded as the most effective opposition MP. For many of us, she is the real leader of the opposition.” I became part of the “Green surge” and was a parliamentary candidate for the Green party at the 2015 general election. Lucas is a refreshing change from most politicians, because she says what she means and means what she says.
Neal Lawson is right that “Lucas embodied the fact that politicians and politics could be better”. When we see a Labour party that refuses to debate the disaster that is Brexit, refuses to consider a fair electoral system, controls the selection of parliamentary candidates and won’t allow its councillors to form pacts with other parties without central approval, the need for more politicians like Lucas is clear.
She has shown that politicians of all parties on the centre-left can work together for the common good, and symbolises a progressive alliance that so many of us want.
David Melvin
Mossley, Greater Manchester
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