TRUDIE Elliott writes a letter defending Jeremy Corbyn (Letters, August 26). She quotes from her membership card “the Labour Party is a democratic socialist party...”

Wasn’t it Tony Blair who rewrote Clause IV of the Labour Party constitution to reflect the new direction to a more centralist position politically – that is to justify New Labour? This was adopted by a special conference of the Labour Party in 1995.

Originally Clause IV read: “To secure for the workers by hand or brain the full fruits of their industry... the common ownership of the means of production...”

This was drafted by Sidney Webb and adopted by the Labour Party in 1918 and follows the Marxist principle that the means of production should be in the hands of the proletariat. This kind of dilemma underlines the problems surrounding the present Labour Party leadership contest.

Does the Labour Party stick to its traditional socialist principles, or does it continue with the more centralist policies of the Blairites?

Steve Bell, St Paul’s Terrace, York

 

I WAS interested to read Stephen Dalby’s notion of “essential democracy” (Letters, August 25). This he feels is fundamentally addressed through the ballot box.

May I broaden the debate? Let’s consider: An unelected billionaire head of state with a meddling son who lobbies ministers and thereby undermines democratic processes.

A Prime Minister elected by less than a third of voters who refuses debate on other systems of voting.

An increasing number of appointed Lords with no agenda of reform.

A transatlantic trade agreement which is being negotiated secretly and which would allow multi-national companies to overrule democratically elected governments.

We have a burgeoning number of secret court decisions.

We also have drone warfare, killing and maiming many innocent civilians and which is never debated in Parliament.

At a more local level, the ability to allow a sensible debate on fracking is to be limited to a few weeks.

We can do much better.

Colin Golightly, Dringhouses, York

 

MY wife Julia recently ordered some goods off the internet.

Detailed to go and collect the parcel and, taking the correct information, I proceeded to the collection point.

“Have you the barcode on your smart phone?” he said.

“No but I have the collection code on a bit of paper,” I said and went on to say I hadn’t got a smart phone.

“Oh, I’ll have to see what I can do.”

I then produced my utility bill and passport. Looking at my passport, he eyed me up and down, and said: “But this passport hasn’t got your wife’s name in it.”

“No,” I said. “But if I bring in the wife’s passport, you will find it won’t have my photograph in it.”

The good news is I finally received the goods.

DM Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York 

 

EVERYONE bar the so-called “experts” of the York Civic Trust want that dangerously unsafe eyesore that is Reynards Garage pulled down (The Press, August 25).

The York Civic Trust should only have their views considered when fresh planning proposals are submitted for this cleared conservation area.

Geoff Robb, Hunters Close, Dunnington, York

 

IT would appear that the search for energy resources is gathering momentum, in particular with fracking.

There are concerns, with the phrase “not on my doorstep” springing to mind.

Future generations, most of whom will be vehicle owners, cannot overlook the need for oil, gas or electricity supplies within the domestic environment.

Failing all else, are we to see a return to horse power and the hansom handsome cab, and mail coach deliveries?

Cycling and walking would be the only alternative.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York