There's nothing wrong with having socialist principles

I have to disagree with your Sunday editorial that states Jeremy Corbyn will be a disaster for Labour. There is nothing wrong with having socialist principles. Labour is surely a socialist party. If Theresa May takes us out of the trade membership of the EU and our economy dips disastrously then both the Conservative Party and Ukip will be tainted and abandoned by much of the electorate. Who better to lead us then, than by a principled politician who stands by his beliefs rather than a party whose only goal is to achieve power, throwing their core principles along the way?

It is clear that people trust Corbyn because he is principled, in a job where many are not. I feel more people will flock to join the Labour Party and that an electorate whose living standards fall will too.

Nicki Bartlett
Cardiff

Congratulations Mr Corbyn. I don't begrudge you your win, but for many reasons I still don't think you are the person to win a general election. And would you honestly want that position and lifestyle at the age of 71?

You're three weeks older than me. Like you, I'm fit and healthy for my age, but I just don't believe it’s realistic. All that jet lag; all those late nights and unhealthy meals. Working on the slightly shaky assumption that the next general election will be called in 2020, may I suggest that you spend the next two years thrashing out a set of policies that will unite the Labour Party and then, once that's done, step into some form of elder statesman role. That will give time for a younger person to be found to replace you – someone who can win back the votes of the traditional working-class left as well retain those of as the newcomers.

Patrick Cosgrove
Chapel Lawn, Shropshire

I have rarely read such feverish drivel as in today's editorial. There is not a jot of evidence to back up your assertion that Jeremy Corbyn has abandoned social democracy. That you think he is somewhere on the farthest reaches of the left only shows how far to the right the centre of gravity has moved in a world where the interests of the many are subordinated to those of the great corporations. Which of his relatively modest proposals to create a fairer society in which private interest is not always preferred to the public one do you find so terrifying?

David Parker
Holmfirth

Congratulations once again to our successful right-wing media and establishment. Having managed by a relentless campaign of less than total veracity to convince the voters that Brexit was in their best interest, they have now succeeded, aided by the Parliamentary Labour Party, in persuading that same electorate that the only person in Parliament who challenges the doctrine of austerity is some sort of idealistic no-hoper. Good job!

Joanna Pallister
Durham

So, Boris Johnson had doubts and Theresa May sat on her hands. The claims made in the book by Sir Craig Oliver merely confirm what many of us already thought: that May and Johnson both acted as they did over Brexit, not out of any ideological conviction, but purely to further their own political careers.

While the former’s stasis in the campaign may well have had a marginal impact, few would doubt that the latter’s actions were crucial. Thus the future economic and political welfare and standing of the whole nation have been irrevocably damaged, as a result of the internal machinations of the Conservative Party. What is even more galling is that – due to the paucity of the political opposition in this country – not only are Johnson, May and indeed the Tory Party itself going to get away with it, but indeed all look set to benefit from such naked opportunism for at least the next decade.

Malcolm Harris
Grimsby

Politicians keep referring to “ordinary” people. I am not ordinary, and I don't know anyone who is.

Ian Turnbull
Carlisle

As former NHS workers (in Scotland rather than England, but it makes no difference), my wife and I formed the impression that any junior medics’ strike has collapsed not because of “concerns for patient safety”, but “concerns for medics’ pay cheques”. I can’t tell you exactly what the top and bottom ends of the medical staff pay scale is; perhaps the junior medics should publish it in the mass media and see how well their “poor overworked and underpaid doctors” line goes down. Just a thought.

Barry Lees
Greenock

It is sad that Hungary is expected to reject refugees. I well remember the open arms and help given the Hungarian refugees by Western European nations in 1956 following the uprising against the USSR. Has the Hungarian government forgotten its nation’s own troubled history or the kindness of others when their people were seeking refuge?

Mike Dods
Leeds

I'm not surprised that “Wasps' fine form continues”, but I am surprised that “the London club remain unbeaten” and that your reporter believes the club is called London Wasps. I am certain I was at their last home game at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Indeed, this is the third season that I've seen Wasps at home in Coventry. Perhaps your sports staff should get out of London more.

Hector Pearson
Warwick