If Labour really wants to be the ‘better option’, it needs to come clean with voters

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John Rentoul is right in saying that a Labour government, if elected, is in danger of becoming ‘unpopular very quickly’ if it is found incapable of delivering on its promises (Getty)

John Rentoul is right in saying that a Labour government, if elected, is in danger of becoming “unpopular very quickly” if it is found incapable of delivering on its promises to rectify the mess left by our current government.

The offering of tax cuts prior to the election is a cynical ploy by the government that does nothing other than waste money that could be spent elsewhere. Our health, welfare and education services are threadbare through lack of adequate investment; most people want better services, not tax cuts.

The government has shown that it cares little for the vast majority of the electorate, with whom it is woefully out of touch. The running down of public finances is their way of hobbling a future Labour government, in the hope that they will be able to return to office after a single term – after which they will have lurched farther to the right – the better to serve the needs of the “haves” over the “have nots”.

Labour needs to come clean with the electorate. Starmer needs to express a clear and inspiring vision of the future that appeals to the hearts and minds of people by addressing urgent issues concerning climate change, the economy, public services, housing and our standing in the world. In addition, he needs to relentlessly expose the failings of the Conservative government so that voters understand that Labour will need to adopt pragmatic short-term measures to secure a foundation on which to build a brighter future.

Labour will not secure the substantial majority it needs by being overly cautious; but neither will it succeed by making promises on which it cannot deliver. Put simply, Starmer needs to change gear, find a modicum of charisma and inspire a nation that has grown tired of politicians who believe that their job is to deceive and distract the electorate instead of serving all of its people.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Climate change isn’t going away on its own

Some seem to think that Labour ditching their promise of investing billions in green infrastructure is the right thing to do. Meanwhile, a new scientific paper published in Science Advances has stated that the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean is near tipping point. What does this mean, you may ask? Well, rising sea levels, the southern hemisphere becoming warmer, Europe cooling and becoming dryer to name but a few outcomes. Bad news for the environment – and for humanity.

But hey, as long as we get rid of the Tories, who cares? Well I do! I hope enough people see what’s coming and think about the wellbeing of everybody and everything before they vote for more of the same.

Andy Vant

Shropshire

We need to get a handle on social media

I feel very fortunate that I did not grow up during the time social media started to blossom. The worst we had to contend with were the occasional round robin letters extolling the exploits of other families which we on principle binned before reading.

Now it seems social media in all its unsavoury forms is ubiquitous. No doubt there are some aspects which are beneficial, but it is a worrying trend that some organisations are now only reachable via Facebook and X.

What is of real concern is the way so-called influencers are able to convince the gullible. It obviously works, judging by the billons spent by big corporations.

How long before our government starts to use social media to control our behaviour a la 1984? Or are they already doing it?

G Forward

Stirling

A pavement parking ban won’t work

I understand the logic behind a pavement parking ban, but I am not sure how practicable this would be. There is a shortage of parking places in the area where I live (and these days, I speak as a pedestrian) and the streets are narrow, making partial pavement parking necessary on both sides of the road. What would be the solution to this situation?

Cole Davis

Norwich