We need a new centrist party to demolish the two-party system

The next session of Parliament promises to be the most significant in our lifetimes. It will be dominated by Brexit debates. How will the Government present its case? How will other political parties respond, and more pertinently how will individual MPs respond? Will we see MPs defying the party whips and voting according to their beliefs in the best interest of their constituents? That is, after all, what they were elected to do.

If ever there was a time for our MPs to step up to the plate, this is it. They need to see past party ideology and for once have the backbone to vote according to their own principles. The resulting confrontations will almost certainly see a new alignment of party politics. The Labour Party can move to the left under Jeremy Corbyn, the Tory Party can move to the right, and one or more new centrist parties can form. This in turn will see the end of two party dominance and give us a more representative government, and a better focus on the needs of the country as a whole.

On the other hand, maybe MPs will do their normal impression of a herd of sheep and let us down. Again. If so, the public's diminishing faith in our political system will be fatally damaged. Either way, this is going to be a turning point.

Bernard Cudd
Morpeth

Brexit Secretary David Davis’ former chief of staff has called for the formation of a new political party in Britain. Yes, that could work, but isn't there an easier way? As the Lib Dems are already openly in favour of offering the country a second referendum, why doesn’t the party offer any anti-Brexit MP temporary membership – maybe for two years. Then, rather than having to invent something new, simply use the party's existing structure to mount a rapid, single-issue general election.

In addition to the work involved in creating a party from scratch, a problem with creating a new one is that it might add more policies to its manifesto than the reversal of Brexit, which could deter otherwise willing defectors. With my proposal, the temporary members can go back to their former parties where they would probably be more ideologically suited – if they'll be allowed back.

Patrick Cosgrove
Shropshire

The majority of Tories backing "none of the above" in a survey over which cabinet minister should succeed Theresa May are correct. It is not surprising that 34 per cent could not see a single prime minister in waiting. Not even David Davis got 20 per cent, and as he bungles the EU negotiations his reputation can only decline.

Alas among those Brexiteers who could not care less what happens to the UK, 61 per cent of the committed anti-Europeans would tolerate damage to the economy and the rest of us have to react to the danger.

However while the Tory leadership are incompetent and lack quality, especially where telling the truth is concerned, they are effective politicians. They are now in control, and the only question is how we remove them from British politics.

Trevor Fisher
Stafford

Of course Ruth Davidson is right to question her leaders’ continued support for David Cameron’s deceitful “tens of thousands” immigration policy. And yes Brexit will make it much easier – but only in the context that should we be so very foolish, we will be able to prevent all immigration from EU member countries.

But if we do, then the Tory lie will be exposed. For even with zero EU immigration, we will still not achieve immigration in the “tens of thousands” a year, since the average annual immigration from non-EU nations has significantly exceeded this number for a great many years.

You might argue the Government would be able to reduce immigration numbers from all territories with full control of our borders, but Theresa May has over her tenure both as Home Secretary and Prime Minister, demonstrated a complete lack of ability to make it so. The prospect of this changing is totally delusional.

David Curran
Feltham

Tesco and Waitrose say that they are dropping the prices on sanitary products by 5 per cent to reflect not charging VAT. The supermarkets will however still have to pay HMRC VAT on these products against the lower selling price until the Government takes action to zero rate these products. Hopefully the supermarkets will lobby Ministers to address this issue!

David McKirdy
Address supplied

What exactly does the ludicrous “title” of "First Lady" or "First Gentleman" mean? They are the spouse or partner of a politician, that is all. The British First Gentleman merely happens to be married to our Prime Minister.

These people have not been voted into any role, and therefore should have no official title; nor should they be paid any expenses from the public purse, except when accompanying the president or prime minister on official business, and those expenses should be open to public scrutiny. It could be asked why the spouse or partner needs to accompany a politician on official visits in any case.

These unelected people should in no circumstances receive money from the public purse to help them with their hair-dos, clothes, letter-writing or personal careers. Let them paddle their own canoes as we voters are expected to do!

Glynne Williams
London E17