‘Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader and immediately began blocking, suspending, and expelling socialists’

• MARTIN Plaut’s predictable defence of Labour’s “socialism” stretches the elastic definition well beyond the breaking point, (Labour has embarked on socialist policies, January 2).

Labour came to power with the promise to accept Conservative economic policies, spending limits, and market values.

Every measure they have adopted has been part of a neo-liberal template.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (whom Martin so admires) is even consulting on further deregulation of the City while PM Sir Keir Starmer is calling for suggestions from the corporations and money launderers to help his Labour “grow” the economy.

Accepting recommendations from public bodies regarding wage settlements isn’t socialism, Martin. It’s accepting recommendations from publicly-appointed bodies that were in place before the election.

Meanwhile the winter fuel payment has been cut, the bedroom tax remains, the gap between rich and poor widens, energy prices rise, transport fares increase, rents go up, homes become more expensive… and the killings in Gaza continue, armed and headlined by Sir Keir’s “unapologetic” Zionism.

Labour stopped being socialist the moment Sir Keir Starmer became leader and immediately began blocking, suspending, and expelling socialists, Martin.

The government is in political freefall, with political support for Israel and defeat of the left as the two defining priorities.

Happy new year, Martin.

STEVEN TAYLOR
Former Chair
Hampstead & Highgate
Labour Party