In the following decade or so, Harriet


Harman, Jacqui Smith, Yvette Cooper, Clare Short, Estelle Morris and Ruth Kelly, among others, enjoyed high office, so it is not unreasonable to suggest that at some point, perhaps sooner rather than later, a women will make the next step and become party leader. One might add that in the late 1920s,


Margaret Bondfield, Ramsay MacDonald’s Minister of Labour, was the first woman ever to reach the cabinet. David Cameron, inspired by Blair


whom he and George Osbourne dubbed “The Master”, tried to change all this, though it is questionable how deep his “top-down” modernisation went in a party still in thrall to those educated in all- male elite schools. Barbara Castle and Shirley Williams


were both significant political figures in their day. Had Barbara Castle’s 1969 Bill “In place of strife”, an attempt to bring order to industrial relations, not been undermined by the trade union-based opposition, the Winter of Discontent may never have happened. That said, I agree that there ought to


have been some female candidates among those seeking to be Castle’s successor in Blackburn. However, that was 40 years ago. Times change. Shirley Williams, a much-respected


intellectual and former minister, made the regrettable decision not to fight her corner, however difficult, and help keep Labour a broader church. Her leaving the party was a real loss,


depriving it of a political future leader. The SDP was the road to nowhere. It is very difficult to reach the truth


about the extent of anti-Semitism in Labour constituency parties today given the plethora of claims and counter claims one hears. The issue is currently under investigation I believe. My impression is that many Labour


activists, as well as plenty of people in other parties or in none, are unhappy about Israeli government policies towards Palestinians and in favour of the so-called “Two State” solution to the problems of that deeply troubled region.


That doesn’t make them anti-Semites, at


least not in my view. Margaret Hodge or Louise Ellman may take a different view. Holocaust denial, Jew-hating or wanting


to wipe any Israeli state off the map is another matter entirely. I do not know how many people in the Labour party hold such views, but they ought not to be tolerated in any decent movement. The Labour Party today may be a source


of dismay to many, but then the governing Tory party is not exactly a model of tolerance, civility and good humour, is it? Their brightest hope for the future, Rory Stewart, like Shirley Williams nearly 40 years ago, has decided that he has had enough and chucked in the towel. K.G. Banks, Maidstone


Forgive to move on


OUR country is called “The United Kingdom”. It has, however, rarely been so disunited. In 2014, in the Scottish independence


referendum there was a small majority in favour of the union. In 2016, there was an even narrower vote in favour of the United Kingdom leaving the EU. As I write, whether we will leave the EU


and if so when, is still unclear. In recent days we have heard it said that


we need to get Brexit done so we can put that behind us and move forward together. This is, I fear, easier is said than done. Our divisions will not evaporate like the morning dew. If there is no Brexit, those in favour will


be feel betrayed and disaffected. If we leave and Remainers’ fears are justified, they will feel vindicated and angry, especially if jobs are lost. We are and will be in the wake of Brexit


or no Brexit, a divided country to which the words of Jesus, “A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand” speak starkly. The process has poisoned our lives. We


teeter on the edge of national sepsis. Is there a way forward? The path


forward is through forgiveness to reconciliation. But will those who feel sinned against even want to forgive? In the coming weeks, months and years ,


we will need to pray first for the desire to forgive and then the power, through the grace of God, to do so. Rev John Corbyn, Vicar of Bearsted, Holy Cross Church


Bring cricket home


I WELCOME the letter (October) calling on Maidstone to support The Mote Cricket Ground through the cricket club. Like so many in Maidstone I long for the


day when Kent cricket considers the facilities good enough again to return to this magnificent and beautiful ground. Malcolm Brown, Shepway


Scouts play their part


OVER the last 100 years, the issues we’ve tackled have evolved and changed, but our young people’s drive to make a positive impact remains as strong as ever. As Scouts, we’re always striving to leave


the world a little better than we found it. Scouts are not bystanders. We play our part to create a better society and a better future for our precious planet. We don’t wait for change to happen. We make it happen. To each and every Scout and volunteer


in Maidstone, I say thank you for playing your part and if you’re not involved yet, please join us. You’ll gain valuable skills for life and make all the difference. Tim Peake, Scout Ambassador


Focus on lock issues


I AM glad your paper has highlighted the problems at Hampstead Lock, Yalding, and hope the problem is soon resolved. Having walked the length of the River


Medway from Allington to the Leigh Barrier at Tonbridge, I have been able to enjoy the delights of it. It is a shame a few youths have to spoil the enjoyment and peace of such a lovely river. I am sure that Mark Smurthwaite,


Commodore of the Medway Boat Users' Association is pleased that you have highlighted these incidents, but not so pleased that in your article you aged him by 10 years as he is only 59! Maureen Chandler, via email


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