Jonathan Freedland (Power, corruption and lies: the TV show that could teach Keir Starmer a lot about being bold, 1 September) refers to the scandal of local government corruption in Newcastle back in the day under T Dan Smith. Most writers only ever mention that particular leader of the city.
But Smith’s successor as leader of Newcastle city council, my wonderful father-in-law (now Lord) Jeremy Beecham, will go down in history as one of the great visionary champions of local government, and indeed of true Labour politics in action for local people, throughout his 17-year tenure in the post from 1977.
In his time, he oversaw a far-reaching reform of social services, housing schemes and regeneration projects in the city that would shame our current national government. His contribution as one of the great Labour politicians of our era is sadly often forgotten because he sought no national platform, remaining committed to local government (with 55 years of uninterrupted council service to the people of Benwell in the West End of Newcastle) and its power to enact change for the better; that was one of the reasons he was also the first chair of the Local Government Association.
Perhaps this is all explained by the title of a recent book published about his life and work, Jeremy Beecham: A Quiet Altruist. Oh, for more politicians of his ilk today, who do it all for the right reasons.
Ian Emerson
London
• I agree with Jonathan Freedland that Keir Starmer should watch Our Friends in the North. He should also watch When the Boat Comes in, an equally marvellously written and acted masterpiece, and wonder why anybody would ever dream of voting Conservative.
Richard Harrison
Holystone, Tyne and Wear
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