I wonder what makes Chuka Umunna’s backers think they can succeed (Prospect of a new UK party grows as Brexit shifts ground at Westminster, 20 August)? The last major shake-up in party politics, from which the “Gang of Four” created the SDP, involved household names who had fairly recently held high office, and tapped into disaffection mainly, but not exclusively, from Labour members and voters, with some success until merger and disappearance within less than 10 years – without “breaking the mould” as they had intended.
The present situation is quite different, with suggestions of cross-party support, and a figurehead whose principal qualification is having run for election as leader of the Labour party for six days in 2015. Although he appears to be capable of attracting “outliers” from other parties it is unlikely that this support extends far outside Westminster, no matter how much parties’ members and the wider electorate are disillusioned with existing choices.
On the other hand, if Chuka and co devise a prospectus that attempts to do more than ride the wave of anger and disappointment at the outcome of the referendum, addressing our crumbling infrastructure, the growing wealth gap, housing crisis and the challenges of climate change – to pick from a longer list of major issues – they might tap into a deep well of support.
Les Bright
Exeter
• I admire Ian McEwan’s novels, yet, once again, he disparages some of his readers regarding Brexit (‘I despise lying, ideological Brexiters’, 18 August). However, McEwan’s long-held derision of anybody who votes differently to himself has maddened me. I am neither elite, moneyed, lying or ideological. I am one of those just-about-managing parents who voted to leave the EU so I could bring about a new future for my children. He does not mask his utter loathing for “the lying, ideological Brexiters, a moneyed elite of cynical populists” or for jobs such as dustmen.
I have cleaned toilets, worked in a coal yard, been a graphic designer and written novels. I have a degree in English literature and will start my Masters in creative writing in October. But I enjoy my factory job, making products keeping our servicemen and women safe from harm in war.
His derision of Brexit is aimed at me and lambasts the very dustmen who feel the effects of mass, unwanted, unskilled immigrant workers. McEwan can comment in liberal newspapers about the wonder of the EU without caring about the JAMs struggling to find a job without a zero hours contract or applying for a cleaning job with 600 other applicants. From his view, the nations of the world co-exist in peace in our cities. The reality from the ground is that we all feel the squeeze created by open borders. Can McEwan afford the same respect for our vote as we do his?
Daryl Baldwin
Hardwicke, Gloucestershire
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