Labour is fighting the wrong battles if the party wants to unseat the Tories

Labour has faced the same existential problem since the 1980s. It is in its name. There is no need for a political party whose primary focus is the rights of workers.

Tony Blair recognised this and won power by presenting the party as Tory-lite but he did not succeed in creating a new focus for the party. Jeremy Corbyn won a reprieve by focusing on fair mindedness but lost it by taking the party back to its roots rather than forward into a world that recognises that most workers are not downtrodden and most of the electorate have significant disposable income.

We need a political party that is ethical and realistic, that understands that every contributor to an economic enterprise, from investor to consumer via worker, manager and suppliers, needs to be empowered. Above all, we need a political party that has the confidence to spend its time thinking through all the issues to find the best solutions – so that when they are in power they are considerably more competent than any of the current political parties.

An opposition focused on politics rather than competence will merely keep the Tories – and their selfish focus – in power.

Jon Hawksley

Address supplied

After the Batley and Spen by-election, it is clear that Labour are still "in the game". However, it is clear too that to win a political "Wimbledon" (the next general election?) the party will need support from outside the socialist fold.

That support can and should come in the form of a progressive alliance which, properly set up, would have a good chance.

Parties of the centre left need to stop undermining each other at election time, thus leaving the Tories laughing all the way into government. Perhaps I can suggest some policies which could be the core manifesto of the new movement:

A written, federal constitution – to ensure the survival of a truly united kingdom, but also including proportional representation and proper anti-corruption safeguards.

1. An outward-looking foreign policy – to try to repair our shattered relations with our European neighbours and also committing us to support for developing countries

2. A mixed, stakeholder economy

3. A green revolution – to help preserve the planet

4. Entrenched government support for the NHS

A good political future is surely there for the taking .

The Rev Andrew McLuskey

Ashford

The tide is indeed maybe turning for Labour, not by many knots, but there is a distinct feeling that yes, the party may be "coming home" as Keir Starmer hopes.

This will probably be a snail-like pace, but the signs are there that the public, although still grateful for the vaccine rollout, are now raising their eyes to more worrying trends in this government.

Obviously Kim Leadbeater was an admirable candidate and she will work her socks off for her constituency – the party is fortunate to have her now as an MP. But as stated, please Labour don’t go into a self-analysis huddle as to why you won, just be grateful that you did.

Please Keir Starmer don’t weigh up all the pros and cons first, throw political caution to the wind and go for it.

Judith Daniels

Great Yarmouth

If George Galloway wants to play political hardball with Keir Starmer and the Labour Party there is a simple way to spike his guns. Just keep playing the excruciating footage of him pretending to be a cat with actress Rula Lenska in an episode of Celebrity Big Brother aired in January 2006, at every opportunity.

Nobody would ever consider him representing them in parliament and he would be dumped in the waste bin of history.

Patrick Cleary

Stonehouse

Unlike every other viewer and spectator watching Euro 2020, my partner and I will be scrutinising the acting ability and choreography of the players who are “fouled” - the foulee.

We look first for the plainly absurd “pained expression”. More points and a cup are awarded for Best Pained Expression.

Into the equation comes the number of rolls on the ground, which part of the body is held (leg – low score, head – high score), when the look to the referee is achieved, as well as how many teammates assemble around the foulee, etc.

Touching the referee gets a minus score, but strength of push on an opposing player is awarded between one and five points.

The more theatrical the dive to the ground, the roll on the ground and anguished expression (coupled with waving the imaginary red card) the more it demands high points score.

If the player committing the foul is yellow carded the points are doubled, if he is sent off points are trebled. But if the referee waves play on, all points are deducted.

This does of course detract from watching the game but gives hours of fun and is more of an interesting talking point than the current dull and obligatory after-game discussion.

Keith Poole

Basingstoke

In 1966 I was fortunate to get a ticket for the World Cup final against West Germany at Wembley. This was 21 years after the end of the Second World War – so I think it fair to assume that many in the crowd had served. Nobody booed the German national anthem.

Peter Roberts

Deal

So it seems that senior doctors demand a bigger pay rise – and nurses – why?

Why is it that many public sector workers think money grows on trees?

We are in a crisis not seen in a generation, but it’s nothing compared to what my parents went through. Is it now going to become the norm for our health workers to blackmail the country into giving them a pay increase larger than any private sector worker just for doing their job? Yes, we all appreciate it’s been hard for you, but so it has for millions of others.

T Sayer

Bristol