Starmer shouldn’t shy away from another EU referendum

I read Andrew Grice’s recent column, regarding Keir Starmer’s “secret agenda” to forge closer links with the EU, with a song in my heart. Well, it was probably more like a muted hum – but if the signs are there for a more proactive rapprochement with the EU, then bring it on.

I appreciate that Starmer is keen not to alienate Leave voters, but a lot of time has passed, and surely even ardent voters have now realised they were misled and manipulated on an industrial scale.

Pro-Europeans such as myself will welcome any changes, and I would surmise that the EU wouldn’t be against a better relationship.

Of course, a referendum on the subject of rejoining is probably for the birds – but could you imagine how much it could improve things? Well, a girl can dream!

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

I am writing this while sitting on a train. I am lucky to be sitting, because the carriages are crammed full of people standing throughout. No one can move.

There are only four carriages on this mainline “service” – a routine occurrence, not a one-off problem, so overcrowding is a regular experience. And the train is running late, so I will miss my connection.

The tickets are ruinously expensive, but the profits are clearly not being spent on sustaining a viable service, let alone improving it.

Mine is just the everyday experience of pretty well everyone who tries to use public transport after 14 years of Tory government. And yet, there is a strong case to be made for improving public transport in order to reduce our carbon footprint. This is one of many reasons we need an election now. But if Labour succeed in winning, it will still take years to repair the damage.

Harriet Ward

Oxford

Now that the general election has been called it is vital that we, as a country, collectively tell the candidates that reform of adult social care must be a top priority in their manifestos.

1.6m people cannot get the care they need, and the sector is short of 152,000 carers. We have been betrayed, lied to, and let down many times before – this election has to be different.

Mike Padgham

Chair, Independent Care Group

I am going to vote for whichever party has the decency and the common sense to restore the annual raising of the tax threshold.

Decency? Because this year I cannot be the only pensioner or low-wage earner who has lost all their rise in pension or salary to tax – something those in parliament seem incapable of understanding, still less care about, as it does not affect them.

Common sense? Because people with less money tend to spend almost all of it, which benefits local economies and, ultimately, the government.

Raise the tax threshold as fast as possible, and you will be my chosen one.

Evelyn Campbell Smith

Address supplied