Paul Mason should think carefully before advocating deselection of Labour MPs who are not from the very left of the party, and not completely enthusiastic about some of Jeremy Corbyn’s views (G2, 19 September). When Tony Blair was prime minister he resisted moves to deselect Corbyn, who repeatedly criticised the government and disobeyed the party whips. Blair recognised that the party as a whole benefited from the ideas, values, and votes, of people from across the left of politics, and would be harmed by limiting itself to a very narrow ideology. If Mason wants to see a Labour government, rather than a hard left party of opposition, he should follow that lead.
David Wall
Northampton
• The latest row over antisemitism in the Labour party (Letters, 19 September) proves, once more, that it is wholly unfit to deal with the problem. No other minority group has to suffer the indecency of being told that what most of its members perceives as discrimination against them is actually not discrimination against them. If Labour is so torn on combatting antisemitism in its ranks, then surely it is time for Jews to abandon ship and leave Labour to the hard left.
Raphael Levy
Radlett, Hertfordshire
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