The report that “Corbyn will be on leadership ballot paper” (13 July) after a close NEC vote should make us pause to think what an extraordinary development this is, and how it will feed into growing disenchantment with politics. A recent Mori poll found that only 16% of Britons trust politicians to tell the truth. This scepticism can only be reinforced by politicians who declare their undying commitment to democracy and then attempt to exclude a candidate from the shortlist because he might win.
A Southampton University study in 2013 reported that 72% of British people believed that politicians are “protecting the interests of the already rich and powerful”. Whatever you may think of Jeremy Corbyn, he clearly carries the hopes of many young people that a different Britain is possible. To attempt to exclude him through a Tammany Hall manoeuvre can only strengthen disaffection with politics on the grounds that it is permanently rigged in favour of established power. But perhaps the most surprising thing of all is that so many journalists should accept the squalid backroom attempt to block Corbyn from standing for re-election as merely business as usual. It is not. By any standards of acceptable behaviour, it is deeply shocking.
Professor James Curran
Goldsmiths, University of London
• As a recent joiner of the Labour party, I will be unable to vote in the forthcoming leadership election, as there will be a minimum six-month membership requirement. In the previous leadership election, members and supporters could sign up almost to the eve of the ballot papers being sent out. Any arguments that this is to prevent entryism or people joining just to vote for a particular candidate are made illogical by allowing people (including me) to register as supporters next week, eligible to vote as long as they can afford to spend £25. As a full party member, having paid £48 (a year’s subscription) to the party, I have less ability to vote than such supporters.
If the party wishes to put a higher bar on voting than a month’s subscription, they could say that everyone must pay at least six months’ worth of fees, which would avoid disadvantaging members on limited incomes or ex-forces members quite as much as the current “buy a vote for £25” offer. The NEC must reconsider their position and alter the unrepresentative nature of the new leadership voting arrangement.
Ben Mars
Broseley, Shropshire
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
