I AGREE with Henry McLeish that we need a new radical constitution, if we are to maintain some form of union (“An Independent Labour Party could set a new political course”, Agenda, The Herald, July 28). However, a federal Britain would not work since England would easily outvote the other constituent countries. A confederal system requiring unanimous consent or other looser arrangement might be acceptable to the great majority of Scots.

I disagree with him when he talks about the style, tone and intolerance of the “old left” in the Labour Party. He has been reading and, worse, believing stories in the Tory press. All the instances of bullying or intimidation by Corbyn supporters have been shown to be unproven, exaggerated or bogus.

I profoundly disagree with Mr McLeish when he talks of the political extremism of the left in the Labour Party. Is it extreme to advocate decent homes for all, a welfare state with a well-resourced national health service, free education at all levels, adequate, secure, well-paid jobs, proper pensions, curbing corporate greed and tax avoidance and a wealth tax to end the obscene concentration of our riches on a tiny few? A public procurement programme building houses, schools, hospitals and improving our transport infrastructure would stimulate the economy help our manufacturing industry. We spent more than £200 billion bailing out the banks; let’s spend to improve our people’s lives and help the economy.

These are the policies that Jeremy Corbyn has advocated, and they have struck a chord with so many people. They are not extreme left but core Labour values, why most of us joined the Labour Party. They have now been “adopted” by his challenger, Owen Smith. Interestingly, Theresa May has also been talking about a fairer share of the cake for the majority.

The reality is that voters are fed up with the Tweedledee-Tweedledum politics of the Westminster elite and have stopped listening to a media owned by a few rich tax exiles. The establishment are scared, hence the attacks on Mr Corbyn.

Bob Thomson,

Past chairman/treasurer, Scottish Labour Party,

741 Shield Road,

Glasgow.