Labour, Brexit and the task of uniting a deeply divided country | Letters
Paula Surridge is right up to a point (The political divide goes deeper than leave v remain, Journal, 24 September). I found, as did friends to the right and left of me in the Labour party, that Europe and EU membership is a stronger part of my identity than being part of the political tribe of Labour. I was a member for 38 years, but Brexit is something both existential and civilisational that has driven me to leave Labour as its leadership continues to traduce the party's pro-European values. This is despite agreeing with many of Labour's policies. Being European is simply bigger than being Labour.
Carole Tongue
MEP for London East, 1984-99
" After Labour has negotiated a new Brexit deal, to include membership of the customs union and close alignment with the single market (ie in it), why would anyone prefer that deal, with few if any voting rights, to remaining? And why, therefore, would any leave voter support a party which is effectively taking leave off the table in any referendum? Labour's position is remarkable in alienating the very people it has been designed to attract, and will almost certainly alienate the remainers as well.
John Shanahan
Manchester