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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 woman 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 who he and George Osbourne dubbed “The Master”, tried to change all this, although 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 does not 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 Conservative 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, has decided that he has had enough and chucked in the towel. K G Banks, Maidstone


Forgive and move forward


OUR country is called The United Kingdom. It has, however, rarely been so disunited.


In 2014, in the Scottish independence referendum there was just a small majority in favour of the union. In 2016, there was an even narrower vote in favour of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.


I write at a point when whether we will


leave the EU and if so, when we will do so, 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 said than done. Our divisions will not evaporate like the morning dew. If there is no Brexit, those in favour of it will be feel betrayed and disaffected. If we do leave and Remainers’ fears are justified they will feel vindicated and angry, especially if jobs are lost and retirements blighted. We are and we 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” speaks starkly and ominously. The Brexit process has poisoned our common life. We teeter on the edge of national sepsis. 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, Bearsted


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


Making change happen


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 strive 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. 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


Yobs spoiling lock delights


I AM glad your paper has highlighted the problems at Hampstead Lock, Yalding. Having this year 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 of such a lovely river. I am sure Mark Smurthwaite, Commodore of the Medway Boat Users' Association is pleased 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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