Labour need to rise above petty name-calling if they want to win

Gather a large number of Labour members together, as in their annual conference, and the rest of the population can see why Labour will never get elected to form a government. At a fringe meeting Angela Rayner calls Conservative ministers “scum” – claiming it is her anger at Tory policies that provoked her. The usual suspects from the hard left of the party defend her. Her aspirations to be leader seem confined to her ability for rabble-rousing – for that is how such conduct is seen.

Do they think they are the only ones angry at this present government? But showing themselves as yahoo politicians won’t persuade the electorate they are polished enough to channel their anger in a constructive way.

Graham Barlow

Wirral

The prime minister enjoys being photographed climbing into large vehicles wearing a high-visibility jacket. Perhaps he should now lead from the front by becoming an HGV driver and doing something useful for a change.

John Wilkin

Bury St Edmunds

Has no one realised why there is a shortage of lorry drivers in the UK?

Many have left the profession due to most drivers being self-employed and being taxed to the hills following the introduction of IR.35 tax legislation. If this legislation was addressed, the need for workers from outside Britain would not be required.

Paul Horsler

Address supplied

I notice that some petrol stations are setting a maximum limit for petrol sales. This is completely the wrong thing to do. It just encourages people to think they won't be able to get enough fuel and so will queue to top up their fuel tanks. I saw this behaviour first hand in the 1973 fuel shortages with people queuing (and burning fuel) to get a gallon or so into an already nearly full tank.

We need to direct the fuel to those who are running low and need to refill. The approach should be to impose a minimum spend of (say) £30. Anyone taking only 5 or 10l will still pay the minimum. This will discourage the practice of topping up, reduce queues and penalise those whose behaviour makes the situation worse.

Ashley Herbert

Huddersfield

I still have a book of 1970s petrol coupons, given in £1 and £2 denominations. Will they still be valid?

My car in 1973 was a “mere” Triumph Herald, giving 30mpg on a good day. I now achieve 55 mpg without difficulty in my Audi, on diesel. Thus, it seems, I neither need to panic buy.

John Evans

Pulborough

I recall the Tory slogan of 1978: “Labour isn’t working”

I suggest an update for 2021: “The Tories aren’t delivering”.

C Barnwell

Hayes