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Letters: Labour aren't perfect – but they're not the Tories

Putting Weller straight on Labour vs Tory, private schools, benefits controversy and a landlord speaks

Sunak and Starmer debate

Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate. Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock

Big Issue readers react to our interview with Paul Weller, John Bird’s calls for systemic change, Robin Ince’s struggles with his diary and Labour’s public school plans.

Labour the point 

In last week’s cover interview, Paul Weller claimed Keir Starmer was a “slightly softer version of the Tory party”. 

Labour aren’t perfect, but they are not the Tories – and to say they are risks creating a dangerous state of apathy, where voters think there isn’t any point in voting at all. They are pledging to renationalise those public services that are currently privatised. You’d never hear a Tory pledge that.

I find Starmer unsatisfyingly ambiguous but we live in a less obviously left vs right political landscape than we did in the ’70s ’80s or even the ’90s and that’s probably why we have a more opaque Labour Party. I would love to see a return to old Labour but I think the world has moved on sadly. I would still choose Starmer over Sunak.

@amandarussellpictures, Instagram

Bird watch

Lord Bird is right about dismantling ‘Westminsterism’. His toponymic description captures the perennial blight of government. It’s a phenomenon that has long neglected the voices of those living outside the M25.

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Devolution was seen as the solution, but it’s pushed rural councils to financial collapse. Homelessness has skyrocketed and poverty has returned close to pre-pandemic levels. The effect has been an obscuring of accountability at a time when trust in politics is at an all-time low.

Given the impending general election, the time for radical systemic change is now to begin dismantling ‘Westminsterism’.

Seth Dellow, Somerset

Public enemy 

It is private schools that have destroyed the state sector, not Labour’s new plans. The suggestion that taking away ‘charity’ tax status from the schools that breed the likes of Sunak and Johnson, and cream off some of the more academic would-be state school pupils, while using different exams to the state system to get their not-so-bright pupils into the best universities, clogging up our cities with their SUV-driving parents – is ridiculous. The ‘public’ schools were set up to train the bureaucrats for the empire – and the idea that these are precious institutions to be preserved is preposterous in the 21st century when we quite rightly have no empire.

Every child deserves a good education – this should not be the luxury of the privileged few, and these ‘public’ schools should definitely not be classed as charities. They are a throwback to a past the rest of the world and the country should be trying to move on from. Colonial bureaucrats and corrupt politicians should have no place in our society. Any policy to raise money to improve education for all gets my vote.

@joozyboozy, Instagram

Relatable Robin

Many of us will feel for Robin Ince, who had mistaken the date of an event. This can happen to more or less any of us, regardless of one’s condition.

It’s always wise to check and recheck dates; time moves on so quickly! Still, it’s good to know that Robin was there in time and it seems that the event went well.

It’s also a good idea to remove numbers from your phone if they are not needed.

Juliet Chaplin, Sutton 

State of denial

I am incredulous that our so-called incumbent government (I use the term loosely) dares to claim benefits are a lifestyle choice. 

Carers, single parents, and those with mental health and physical health issues need governmental support, and not the cynical attitudes permeating now!

This bunch of loonies has no idea of the reality for many, who face evictions, ever-increasing costs and low wages. Despite the increase in the minimum wage, many unscrupulous companies use this as a benchmark of what to actually pay workers, a constant erosion of workers’ rights, poverty is the legacy of this government.

We need to get this horror show out of Number 10 and replace it with a government for the people, by the people!

AC Zacharski

Rented out 

I’m a landlord, I’m selling my properties as and when my tenants give notice and leave (voluntarily). I’m doing so because of the red tape and government hostility towards landlords. I’ve always been a caring and responsible landlord dealing directly and quickly with all my tenants’ requests.

I’ve never evicted a tenant, so why is everyone so against me and those like me, and leaving me no option but to sell up? There are thousands of landlords doing the same, so there are going to be no homes to let in the private sector soon.

Kevin Parsons, York

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about these topics? We want to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us more.

This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy!

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