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
“Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman.” Can you still say that in Jack And The Beanstalk, or is there a politically correct alternative featuring another ethnic majority? I’ll find that out next Sunday when I tune in to the virtual pantomime being streamed by Hamilton Academical, the proceeds of which are going to three local charities. The man behind it – “Oh no he isn’t!” – is the club’s CEO Colin McGowan. Accies may be languishing on the field but it would be difficult to find one trying to get closer to its community, although I have to say this is hardly reciprocated. The average crowd is less than 3,000 – and that includes the two or three usual visits from both Celtic and Rangers, the teams that most locals seem to prefer to support rather than their own.