Readers respond to former leader Ed Miliband’s thoughts on a future direction for the party
Ed Miliband clearly understands how the Conservative party, despite claiming to have “changed”, is a “long way from grasping the political direction or scale” of the changes needed (Forget incremental change: the left shouldn’t be afraid of thinking big, 10 June). Up against a government that sees “levelling-up” only in terms of regional investment, and education of the disadvantaged simply as a vote-winning ploy rather than a commitment to provide equality of opportunity, Labour has not only to prioritise “big change”, but ensure all policies are based on fairness and justice. Promising a government that would never run down NHS infrastructure, underfund state schools, allow 21st-century universities to be dominated by privately educated students, cut overseas aid needlessly, or require a well-minded football star to persuade it to feed hungry children, would do for starters.
Clarity in the message, especially in view of it always being distorted by the rightwing press, is vital, as Miliband knows to his cost, so a principled version of a “Dominic Cummings” to revamp Labour’s propaganda machine might also be required.
Bernie Evans
Liverpool
