The membership secretary of West Worcestershire Labour party writing in the Guardian (Letters, 24 August) refers to a huge increase in membership as an indicator of the energy of Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign. In Ealing North we have seen a similar increase in registered supporters and affiliates, and have been keen to involve them in the campaigning, social and political activities of the constituency, but with little or no success. After only two of the 43 invited new members turned up for a barbecue and social, a branch chair rang round and was repeatedly told that the newcomers were there to vote for one candidate and had no interest in the actual constituency Labour party. When asked if this would still be the attitude if their candidate won, the most common response was that their work would have been done and there was no need for further engagement. I profoundly hope that Ealing North is not typical and that the new members and supporters are not just signing up to cast a vote but to actually advance the cause of the Labour party.
Steve Pound MP
Ealing North
• Our Labour party branch are currently selecting a candidate to stand in a council byelection. Applicants have to be on the panel of approved candidates, and all local members who take part in the selection process must have been full members for at least six months. All this is checked prior to the meeting by a member of the local party executive. Why no £3 voters? What a contrast!
Peter Ranson
Congleton, Cheshire
• Labour leadership contenders or supporters who want the ballot cancelled or the result annulled could cite as precedent the Irish Lisbon treaty referendum, where the population, having voted against accepting it, was told to go away and vote again, and this time get it right. Democratic socialism?
Don Keller
London
