A joint manifesto could break the Tory stranglehold

It has become apparent that a Tory government gains an overall majority through the competition of rival parties for the vote, rather than the strength of its policies (Editorial, 17 September). So the common sense approach to winning elections is for progressive parties to find common ground on issues where there is widespread support, such as the climate crisis, education and public services.

It is self-evident that climate changecConfronting the climate emergency is necessary for our continued existence. Housing is necessary for future generations of families, as are free education and shared public services.

A joint manifesto for Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens and the SNP could find much on which the electorate would agree. Achieving it will require a change in current party rules to agreeing on a single candidate in each constituency as the opponent to the Tory candidate. The goal is worth the effort.

In addition, Tory propaganda is conspicuous by its use of deceit, so a law to make lying by politicians a criminal offence, as well as the reporting in the media of these known lies as the truth, would help put an end to the kind of deceptions being peddled by this government.

This is a challenge to the non-Tory parties, too, which each party conference should place before its members in the national interest. By such means are tyrannies defeated.

Thus will the electorate be given a straight choice between policies for the public good rather than private profit.
Keith Martin
London

• Nothing ever changes. The Liberal Democrat conference yet again confirmed the party’s intention to stand in every English and Welsh constituency at the next general election. In 2019, many mistook it as a power play to push Labour towards a progressive alliance. It never happened and the Tories won again.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that a progressive alliance is impossible. Politics is tribal. There is some hope that an informal alliance, like we saw in 1997, might happen – but without a charismatic Labour leader, such a majority is unrealistic. The old parties are perhaps past their best, smaller parties have grown and been influential. Friends are considering joining the Renew party; perhaps we will see a progressive launch.
Alex Gunter
Islington, London