Whilst agreeing with Joe Haines (Correspondence, 26th January, 2018) that the Tories` "powers of recovery" should never be underestimated, and that the New Statesman "has a powerful influence" on political life, it is abundantly clear that your journal must support "the election of a Corbyn government". With the country being governed, as your Leader states (26th January), by "one of the most politically and intellectually rudderless administrations in recent history", that support increasingly becomes a duty.
With the Tories` persevering with unnecessary austerity policies, the shameful underfunding of the NHS and schools, and a stubborn refusal to tax the wealthy and provide adequate housing, Corbyn`s Labour is promising what the country clearly needs. Haines appears worried by the pledges on nationalisation, and what he calls "heavy taxation and dangerous borrowing"; he even warns against "falling living standards". Has he not heard about the fall in real wages since 2008, decreased life expectancy in some areas, rogue landlordism and the massive increase in homelessness, not to mention the extremely low interest rates for government borrowing? Indeed, has he forgotten that under Wilson in the 1970s income tax reached 83% for earnings, with an extra 15% for investment income? Or that the industries nationalised then included railways, coal, steel, airways and airports, gas, electricity, telecoms and water? Did Haines write to protest then?
Of course, the New Statesman is right to disagree with some of Labour`s policies, and even suggest alternatives, but it is crucial it accepts that a moderate centre-left party cannot defeat the Tories in the next election. The country requires a government willing to transform, not tinker!
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