The situation of leave voters in Labour constituencies is even more favourable than the recent research shows (Labour Leave supporters may be ‘fewer than thought’, 29 May). Many leave voters were registering a protest at being the left-behind. Once registered, there is little sense in doing it again. Others voting out of a sense of dissatisfaction and expecting some sort of change after Brexit are beginning to realise that not only will things not get better; all the evidence is that they will get very much worse. Others are fighting with themselves over accepting that they have been conned. The likelihood that these groups will flock to the ballot box to vote against Labour and for the worst Tory government in modern history or the now vestigial Ukip is very low. These voters are more likely to return to Labour or just not vote at all. But the electoral dividend for Labour in remain seats is massive.
There is no political downside to Labour opposing Brexit. If it goes ahead the Tories will pay a huge political price for the ensuing economic disaster and lose the next general election. If the election occurs before the leaving date, saving the UK from disaster is a strong and effective message. Tories going to the country saying “vote for us, we are the party that will do Brexit” is an election-losing strategy.
John Cookson
Bournemouth
• Alastair Campbell’s article (Keir Starmer lacks the courage of his convictions, 28 May) indicates a lack of understanding of how Labour can best deal with Brexit. This partly reflects his failure to accept the facts underpinning support for Brexit. The evidence from polls and pollsters is clear that, while there has been some movement towards remain, there is no majority for it, partly because of remainers who feel morally committed to going ahead with Brexit. The danger is that a “people’s vote” could well confirm the original result. This would be an unmitigated disaster, leaving policy, and government, in the hands of the hard Brexiteers.
He also fails to grasp the significance of Brexit for a possible general election later this year. Labour cannot win on the basis of an appeal to remainers only, as it would lose too many of its leave voters and be castigated for having betrayed them and the referendum result. Labour can win on the basis of a “soft” Brexit, including remaining within the customs union and with access to the single market, while technically leaving the EU. It is a solution that could satisfy enough leavers and remainers to vote for a Labour government. It will not happen if Campbell and those who think like him have their way.
Peter Rowlands
Swansea
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