Chuka Umunna has every right to be “fiercely critical” about MPs who are “fundamentally dishonest” with their constituents about the effects of immigration, but strangely myopic when it comes to his own “economy with the truth” (Chuka Umunna: I never felt totally comfortable in the Labour party, 2 March). What has he been telling the voters in “his south London patch”? Did he tell them how “uncomfortable” he was with recent Labour manifestos pledging to increase taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations, and to end the callous austerity policies to which some of his colleagues in the Independent Group (TIG) gave their wholehearted support? Should he not have admitted to disagreeing with the return to state ownership of railways and utilities, and the rest of the more leftwing policies in the 2017 manifesto?
In fact, since 2010 he has been getting himself elected on the back of the Labour policies with which he fundamentally disagreed. A defection nine years ago would have been far more honest, principled and acceptable. When TIG is confined in a few years to the dustbin of history, as it most surely will be, no doubt he will reappear in the party to which he is most closely suited, vying with the likes of Hammond, Hunt and Johnson for its leadership.
Bernie Evans
Perth, Western Australia
• So, Chuka Umunna never felt comfortable in Labour. It gave him a prestigious and comfortable lifestyle. Like many others, I’m waiting for an answer to the question why doesn’t he do the honourable thing: resign and recontest the seat he holds under false pretences?
John Tully
Yarraville, Victoria, Australia
• Chuka Umunna can console himself with the thought that many of us in the Labour party never felt very comfortable with the neoliberal policies he espoused.
Peter Nicklin
Newcastle upon Tyne
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