Why does Sonia Sodha think it is acceptable to call me a crank (“It is foolish and self-indulgent for the anti-Starmer left to split the Labour vote”)? My views count and deserve respect. I am still a member of the Labour party for one reason only: to work within for reform of our voting system so that everyone’s vote counts (not just those who live in marginal constituencies). My view is that Labour is misguided on the economy, wrong on climate, wrong on Palestine and lacks vision and hope. That does not make me a crank.
With proportional representation, the Green party could be assured its votes would convert into seats in the House of Commons and would not have to focus on areas where its vote is concentrated enough for a chance to get an MP. People could vote for the party they support, knowing their vote would lead to representation. Blame the voting system, not me.
Aileen McLoughlin
Bristol
Sonia Sodha is correct to call out the “We Deserve Better” campaign in its attempt to split the progressive vote. Those concerned with the campaign should consider whether they are prepared to risk another five years of Tory rule in their pursuit of utopia. It is easy to be idealistic when one is in opposition, but to govern requires compromise. And – above all – it requires one to win the election first.
Announcing uncosted policies at this stage would be disastrous and Keir Starmer has done well to resist, even if this has led to criticism that he is being too risk averse.
Until the deal is done and those red boxes transfer over to Labour ministers, nothing can be taken for granted. Every vote counts. We do deserve better, so why risk it?
Lucas Davis
Nottingham
Loyalty works both ways
Barbara Ellen discusses brand loyalty (“‘Bum-boosting pants’ aside, I’m emotionally invested in M&S’s fortunes, but I can’t think why”). What a shame M&S doesn’t reciprocate. It has just closed its Bradford store and withdrawn the charge card. I won’t be showing M&S any fondness or loyalty.
Alison Rooks
Baildon, Bradford
Stick to the day job, Paul
So Paul Weller looks good at 66, has been lucky in the hair department and wrote some decent songs 40 years ago (Interview). How does that justify a platform for his lazy schoolboy political opinions, such as saying he probably won’t vote at all?
Unfortunately, some people will be influenced by “cool” Mr Weller and not bother to vote either, but there’s nothing remotely cool about increasing the chances that the current rabble get any longer in charge of our country. “The older I’ve got, the less I’ve got to say,” he says. Well, quite. Maybe stick to the guitar.
Michael Back
London N10
Blighted by childhood
I am of the view that a lot of people in this country have experienced childhoods that do not equip them to succeed in adult life (“Job ads aimed at the ‘benefits class’ may be well-meant, but smack of contempt”). While many people from abusive backgrounds go on to do well, many do not.
Too many children are preoccupied by what awaits them at home or at school and find it difficult to concentrate. They do badly at school and badly at work. Their main objective becomes seeking substances to dull their childhood experiences. As a country, we need to do much better by our children. Having a kinder government will be a good start.
Bernadette Sanders
Brooke, Norwich
A church mired in the past
The Church of England got it wrong and will no doubt wring its hands in faint apology (“Beatings, brandings, suicides: life on plantations owned by Church of England missionary arm”). But when will it learn from its mistakes? It has a history of being on the wrong side, of losing sight of the love and compassion of Jesus. It has supported war, been slow to ordain divorcees or women or homosexuals, slow off the mark with apartheid, unwilling to recognise the possibility of gender being non-binary and been behind the times with same-sex relationships. When will it look ahead and ask: where is the injustice that pains the heart of God in our world today?
Bill White
Macclesfield, Cheshire
Golden Rice is no panacea
As someone who has thoroughly researched the topic of developing genetically modified crops to address food issues in the global south, it is disappointing to see the different views about the commercialisation of Golden Rice in the Philippines not being presented equally, particularly those from Filipino farmers and grassroots groups that work with them (“When modified rice could save thousands of lives, it is wrong to oppose it”).
Having conducted research with all sides of the GM food debate (government scientists, farmers’ groups, international policy organisations, corporations, local academics), one thing that became apparent was the lack of consultation with farmers about their needs and solutions in relation to food provision. The idea that cultivating one crop is the panacea to solve vitamin A deficiency is irresponsible. Other factors, such as accessing resources and knowhow to grow a variety of foods for climate-resilient and healthy diets that are also economically viable, are also needed.
Dr Nicola Scott
Manchester
The trouble with tall storeys
Rowan Moore is right to condemn the City of London for setting “new boundaries in greed” by promoting tall buildings that reduce valuable public open space (“Divisive, ugly, gloomy: when will the City see the light on tall towers?”). However, such concerns should not be restricted to the City.
In the suburban borough of Ealing, the community organisation Ealing Matters counted 79 buildings between 10 and 55 storeys approved by the council in the past four years, severely reducing communal open space and without any commensurate increase in health and education services or infrastructure. Tall buildings also impose heavy carbon emissions and are less adaptable to changing needs. We need fewer, not more, of them.
Geoffrey Payne
London W5
