I despair of Labour’s ability to turn an election victory into a rumbling disaster (Briefing war spotlights relationships between three of Labour’s most senior figures, 12 November).

To see the kerfuffle over whether or not Wes Streeting has leadership ambitions and to see that become a huge distraction from everything that should be dominating political thinking is awful. I want everyone who has a role in this government to distinguish themselves from their predecessors. They can do this by showing that they understand their purpose: to act only in the interests of the country. Unless they do this, public confidence in politicians will continue to plummet.
Bevelie Shember
Rugby, Warwickshire

Your editorial (12 November) argues that Keir Starmer “has failed to signal a resonant or consistent purpose to his leadership; he shows no natural capacity for public persuasion”. The moment Starmer and his “changed” Labour party were required to do more than either not be leftwing like Jeremy Corbyn or not be the despised Tories, the project began to fall apart.

Neither Starmer nor the faction that helped him become prime minister have any new or different ideas to address the multiple problems facing the country. All that’s left is the worn-out strategy of triangulating to the right, mere self-preservation to stay in charge, and anonymous hostile briefings against any would-be challengers.
Derrick Cameron
Stoke-on-Trent