Your editorial (9 May) made some cogent points about how Labour must refashion its political strategy. However, as the same task confronts the Lib Dems, do we not now have a priceless opportunity to bring the two parties together to undertake a fundamental rethink of the way social democratic principles and policies can be made relevant to modern society. Both parties in the wake of the election are confronted by a crisis of identity. A merger of the two could create a coherent force with a distinctive voice to challenge the dismal nostrums of the Tories.
If, as some have suggested, the voters seem still to be wedded to the “strong” government that the two-party system supposedly offers – and there is little prospect of imminent electoral reform – a new grouping might well be attractive to those seeking a clear cut alternative to Conservatism. Not a new idea, but perhaps one whose time has come?
Ken Wheeler
Newcastle upon Tyne
• As usual after a Labour election defeat, the left is blamed and instructed by the great and the good that the party must connect with the “mainstream” if it is ever to form a government. I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t the unions withdraw funding from Labour and help support a new party of the left that is true to the original ideals of the labour movement? That way we can cede the centre to the social democrats in New(er) Labour and the Lib Dem rump and concentrate on building a mass movement that represents the aspirations of millions of people for a radical alternative.
Steven Schofield
Bradford
• This weekend I filled in an application to join the Scottish National party. True, I’m English, living in the PM’s constituency of Witney. But no other UK party represents my views better than the SNP. You can join and vote for Ukip if you’re Scottish, so I hope there’s no problem. Last year, the Scottish people voted to stay in the UK. Talk of independence is just talk until it happens. So there is nothing to stop the SNP standing in my constituency. I believe they could have won many more seats if they’d put up candidates in England.
The route to full Scottish independence is via devolution. I don’t have a problem with this. What I do have a problem with is the situation where millions in England are left with no voice. A Conservative dictatorship of England. In the here and now, it’s possible that the SNP could take the support of the English disaffected. It might just be the only way to save the UK.
John Navin
Witney, Oxfordshire
• If we had elected a hung parliament, there could well have been a progressive coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Greens. Let’s build one now. These parties, with an electoral pact, could win an election to form a one-term coalition to introduce a fair form of proportional representation, after which they could disband. Without this, anti-Conservative parties will continue to fight one another and lose.
Michael Lane
Outwood, Surrey
• What chance that the rudderless parties, before electing leaders, sit down with the Greens and assorted Nats to discuss how many outfits we really need to represent the 63% of us that didn’t vote Tory.
Bill Sewell
Wymondham, Norfolk
• What now for Lib Dems? I expect the elderly and the timid will hang on, possibly rebranding the party – perhaps as Liberals. The courageous will swallow hard and join Labour.
David Hopker
Broadstairs, Kent
