A new year brings new battles for democracy and for Labour | Letters
Readers respond to articles by Andy Beckett and Larry Elliott on British parliamentary democracy and whether Labour can turn the tide “Did 2025 mark the end of British parliamentary democracy as we know it?” asks the headline on Andy Beckett’s article (25 December). Let’s hope not, but the case for moving to a proportional-representation-based system seems clear. The disillusion with Westminster, however, surely stems from the growing gap between House of Commons politics and extra-parliamentary politics in workplaces, communities and the streets. Hundreds of thousands have continued to march on Palestine in 2025. Some nods to this have been made – recognition of a Palestinian state. However, arms sales to Israel continue, as do official relations with Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, hardly a week goes by without the government finding new ways to restrict protest. In 2026, we will need to see a battle to defend democracy from above, but also crucially from below. Keith Flett Tottenham, London • In Andy Beckett’s article, there is no mention of Your Party. There may be a shortage of wise men/women, but the desires and the want that produced its conception won’t disappear. There will be fresh messiahs born in search of a Jerusalem that existing parties can’t deliver, as we sight the mass unemployment/pauperisation that Herod’s AI will bring for the “many”. Jobs in “fulfilment centres”, anyone? Quite rightly, the myths of the centre cannot hold, if the truth be told of our condition. We may even get an Easter rising by my grandchildren. Chris Bratcher Richmond, North Yorkshire Continue reading...
Readers respond to articles by Andy Beckett and Larry Elliott on British parliamentary democracy and whether Labour can turn the tide
“Did 2025 mark the end of British parliamentary democracy as we know it?” asks the headline on Andy Beckett’s article (25 December). Let’s hope not, but the case for moving to a proportional-representation-based system seems clear. The disillusion with Westminster, however, surely stems from the growing gap between House of Commons politics and extra-parliamentary politics in workplaces, communities and the streets. Hundreds of thousands have continued to march on Palestine in 2025. Some nods to this have been made – recognition of a Palestinian state. However, arms sales to Israel continue, as do official relations with Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, hardly a week goes by without the government finding new ways to restrict protest. In 2026, we will need to see a battle to defend democracy from above, but also crucially from below.