Only clear, solid policies will win next election for Labour

I AGREE with much of what you said with regard to Ed Miliband and Labour in your Editorial (Yorkshire Post, September 25), as well as the opinions expressed by Bernard Ingham.

So far, the conference season has underlined just how out of touch with reality most of our politicians are. We have yet to hear the Tories. Probably more empty rhetoric.

Your photograph of Ed Miliband in full flow at Labour’s conference says everything. The people forming the backdrop look like tailor’s dummies – expressionless and blank. What a glum crew! They are about as animated and inspired as dead ducks! Clearly Ed Miliband has sent them comatose!

So far, as a Labour supporter, I am unimpressed. To gain my support, Mr Miliband should return the former public utilities back to the people, from whom they were stolen by Margaret Thatcher; not “tinker” with them.

He shouldn’t even countenance a minimum wage, he should have a policy guaranteeing a living wage.

It doesn’t make any sense freezing wages, cutting public services or pruning the welfare bill, while squandering money on the European deficit or overseas aid. I have serious doubts whether Labour would have the courage to end the latter.

Ed Miliband does have a mountain to climb, and some of his friends are a liability, but one can’t help wondering what motivated Damian McBride to publish his autobiography at this point in time; most damaging to the image of the Labour Party and its leader. The motive remains a mystery.

Let’s look at the other parties. Nick Clegg wants to raise taxes even more, which will suffocate any economic recovery. Britain is the highest taxed country in Europe, and he wants to make it even worse. That’s real vote catcher!

This shows how unrealistic he is, dismissing broken promises and conveniently ignoring the low poll ratings the Lib Dems have. We can congratulate Godfrey Bloom for his idiotic behaviour which should tell us all that Ukip couldn’t organise a church bazaar, let alone run Britain.

Bloom’s ‘antics’ have really sullied Nigel Farage. Their conference almost turned into a bun fight. We can write them off as the “Silly Party.” No credible opposition there.

A silly season of conferences has begun with unrealistic promises, empty rhetoric and much ‘hot air’. Bernard Ingham is right in that Ed Miliband’s speech did not produce any firm, clear policies from Labour. As for the arithmetic, I cannot see Labour voters – myself included – agreeing to any pact with the Lib Dems.

Corruption in politics, police, banking, public services and big business; the policy of austerity hurting ordinary families as their standard of living declines fuels a deepening public apathy.

Mr Miliband says “Britain can do better than this” However, he must come up with some clear, solid policies.

As for higher taxes to fund these, I’m sure the bankers will be very generous, and the top, over-paid executives. This is where the money must come from – the “super” rich, not Joe Bloggs.