Improving Labour`s explanations

Your editorial on education`s underfunding rightly stated that Labour needs to "explain more forcefully" how the true effect of the Tories raising the tax threshold "actually benefits those at the top of the heap" far more than those at the bottom (Morning Star, 13/11/18). This highlights a problem Labour faces continually - the fact that the way policies are interpreted by the media not only distorts the truth, but discriminates against Labour. It means Labour, especially with Corbyn probable favourite to win, has to prepare more cleverly for the onslaught it will face, especially over its tax policies.

         A party political broadcast on the topic, and available on social media, is essential. Rather than have John McDonnell merely explain the policies, and why they are fairer, he could share the spotlight with a number of "characters" with different incomes and different jobs, explaining how much they earn, how much tax they pay now, and how much they would pay under Labour`s new regime. This would show, of course, how the majority of people would be little, or not at all, affected by the changes, except for the examples at the top, the ones earning what most people consider to be "mega-bucks"!

 The main broadcast would only show perhaps four examples, below-average, average, just above and way-above average earners; they could be shop assistants, nurses, teachers, junior doctors and bankers. Too similar to the old Two Ronnies sketch about class? Not really as more videos could be put online at various times, to include a wider range of employment, targeting also CEOs, hedge fund workers, City accountants, but also the under-paid and even zero-hours contracted workers.

    In their brief statements, some could include, of course, simple explanations of how levels change the more you earn, to counter Tory arguments about tax increases leading to a reduction in aspiration. Effect would be maximised if the characters were played by actors like Maxine Peake and Bill Nighy who hopefully would not object to putting Labour`s case "more forcefully" and effectively than the politicians!