Class is no barrier to a happy relationship

I would like to respond to the article by Jordan Tyldesley, I’m working class and my husband is middle class – sometimes it feels like we’re from different planets (4 April).

The opposite is true for me. I am a nurse, academic, university lecturer and former public school girl; my husband is a working-class carpenter, with two GCSEs, who now works with children in the care system. He has become a father to my three sons from my first marriage and blessed me with three wonderful stepsons. I consider myself incredibly lucky and am eternally grateful for our love and relationship.

I have close ties and unbreakable friendships with old school friends who range from landed gentry to minor aristocracy and my husband, far from being the subject of fascination or conjecture regarding our relationship, is simply the kind, gentle man with the biker beard who loves and cares for their friend.

I have relinquished a double barrelled name in exchange for my husband’s name, which I consider a tribute to the wonderful and adoring Irish Catholic parents who made my husband and his sisters the most morally decent and kind people I have ever known.

I would gently suggest to Jordan that being made to feel this way by her in-laws may be due to a degree of insecurity on their part as, until I read her article, it had never occurred to me that class may cause a divide in today’s society.

Sam Bowen

Address supplied

In my view there is no foreseeable prospect of Labour winning a clear majority of seats at a general election, in spite of Keir Starmer’s steady if uninspiring leadership. The only way to achieve a progressive majority is for Labour to work closely with other parties of the centre and the left of centre.

Unfortunately, it is an article of faith in Labour that the party will not do deals with other parties. I know this as a former Liberal Democrat candidate, councillor and activist. The only beneficiaries of such a blinkered policy are the Tories. Labour will have to come down from its self-appointed pedestal as the sole guardian of progressive opinion.

It is imperatively in the national interest that there should be fewer Tories at all levels of representation, from parliament to parish councils. All politicians and voters who want more fairness, equality and trust in government should band together to resist the right-wing threat, and all considerations of party loyalty should be put aside in favour of the greater good.

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This means actively pursuing local arrangements, formal national alliances and even outright mergers of parties. Whichever party came second in a Tory-held seat should be allowed a free run at the next election. Once the progressive alliance has taken power, it should immediately legislate for fair voting and proportional representation, thereby ensuring that the right wing will never again dominate the body politic on a minority of the popular vote.

Sam Boote

Nottingham

Sean O’Grady argues that it will be the economy and the distractions of the culture wars that will determine whether Labour can win a historic victory next time (Can Keir Starmer still revive Labour?, 4 April). Meanwhile, John Rentoul points out that a historic swing to Labour would be needed and cites Peter Mandelson’s argument that Labour must fight from the centre (Peter Mandelson: “It’s simply a myth that Labour can win from the left”, 3 April).

Seems to me the winning strategy would be for Sir Keir to first forge a grand alliance of social democratic forces, which embraces Liberal Democrats and Greens and entices liberal conservatives from the Tory Party and, secondly, appeal to what is likely to be an increasing public interest in European rapprochement.

Steven Fogel

London NW11

It appears from Pfizer’s confirmation its Covid-19 vaccine offers protection for six months after the second jab that vulnerable adults who have received two jabs since January need to be revaccinated from July onwards to ensure continued efficacy.

The government must therefore announce its timetable for a “revaccination plan” and confirm availability of vaccines and resources for this purpose without delay.

Trevor Lyttleton MBE

London NW11

The article by Will Gore (Post-lockdown litter louts need our love and understanding, 5 April) filled me with anger and disbelief, pretty much in equal measure. How he can find the time to sympathise with such ignorant people is beyond me, and I suspect beyond most decent, right-thinking people.

The lockdowns have affected nearly all of us and we do not all have such an appalling disregard for our environment. It cannot have escaped Gore’s notice that this anti-social behaviour went on long before these lockdowns were even thought of.

Littering is in many, many cases an act of aggression. The offenders are willing someone to challenge them to give them an excuse to become violent.

Richard Wilson

Richmond

Interesting article by Richard Jolly (Man City’s extraordinary dominance is testament to the Pep Guardiola way, 4 April). He mentions “buying” and “resources” without clearly pointing out that Manchester City are bankrolled by Abu Dhabi, with their petrodollars, and have been able to spend £100 to £150m net every single year on strengthening the team, and far more than any other rival.

The depth of their squad is awesome and has been crucial in this meat grinder of a season. Yes, Pep is a good coach but I’m sure even Homer Simpson could make a good fist of managing a team with this level of “buying” and “resources”.

John Murray

Bracknell