Rafael Behr’s assessment of Jeremy Corbyn’s position in relation to the Brexit negotiations (It’s becoming ever clearer that Corbyn wants a hard Brexit, 15 May) contains two assumptions that are almost certainly wrong. First, if it was good strategy a year ago for the leader of the opposition to keep his powder dry by outlining, but not detailing, a broad preference for the outcome, it remains good strategy now. Behr’s assumption is that Corbyn should shift his ground because he will not be able to hold his position much longer. The fact that some in the Labour ranks are beginning to show signs of panic does not justify a change of policy. We have to remember that the negotiations are being conducted by the government (sadly), not by parliament.
In these circumstances all opposition parties must wait until some kind of deal is proposed, and then go through the process of putting forward amendments and voting. We all know this will not be straightforward, or quick. We also know that parliament must be ready to create hell if it does not get all the time it needs to wrangle the proposed deal into another form, or another, or another. The desire to make some kind of pre-emptive move at this stage is understandable, but it should be resisted, and I am sure Jeremy Corbyn can resist.
Behr’s article also seeks to paint Corbyn with the hard Brexit colours on the rather shaky grounds that if he does not actually oppose it he must, ultimately, approve of it. Of course, there is a good deal of Euroscepticism in the Labour party – why wouldn’t there be? Caution should be part of any dealings with EU institutions, and Labour has no reason to embrace current European economic orthodoxy, but Rafael Behr has every reason to know that Jeremy Corbyn is not planning to throw out the baby with the bathwater. We may yet be landed with a harder Brexit than anyone imagined, not because of Labour’s reticence – but because those who panic will play into the hands of Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Michael Bowers
Talgarth, Breconshire
• Jeremy Corbyn is not exactly renowned for his political astuteness. But he is a step ahead of Neil Kinnock. Kinnock (Jeremy Corbyn must change course on the EEA, says Lord Kinnock, theguardian.com, 12 May) is advocating a course of action, voting to remain in the European Economic Area, that would rip Labour apart. The Tories would love to see Corbyn at war with those Labour constituencies that voted leave. Some Labour MPs would relish the chance to get the boot in too, accusing him of defying the will of the people. Labour will be free to propose a different course of action when two conditions are fulfilled. The government’s plan for Brexit must be known. And it must be widely recognised as disastrous. Until then Corbyn is wisely keeping his powder dry.
David Butler
London
• Rafael Behr is bit late in spotting that Jeremy Corbyn’s “wholehearted” remain support was the greatest lie in contemporary UK politics.
Peter Brooker
West Wickham, Kent
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