Letters
Keir Starmer could be more proactive on Covid, argues
Dr Anthony Isaacs, while
Hilary Ward and
Keir Starmer speaking in the Commons. Photograph: House of Commons/PA
Keir Starmer speaking in the Commons. Photograph: House of Commons/PA
Sun 7 Feb 2021 12.57 EST
Last modified on Mon 8 Feb 2021 00.22 EST
Andy Beckett is of course right to say that Labour cannot ignore southern seats in pursuit of âred wallâ voters (If Labour is serious about regaining power, it will need to woo southern England, 5 February). In truth, both will be needed for electoral victory. A successful campaign must appeal to common interests and be carried through with conviction and passion, as Marina Hyde notes (Britons want a bit of drama from their leaders â and Keir Starmer isnât serving it, 5 February). Use of the union flag for this purpose is unlikely to be persuasive and has a dubious pedigree, as shown by Harold Wilsonâs adoption of the ill-fated Iâm Backing Britain campaign in 1968. By contrast, northern and southern voters have a shared interest in strengthening public services, and this should be the unifying principle of Labourâs programme.