Labour can be green, spendy and cheerful

As Labour MPs struggle to square the party’s “green prosperity plan” with the exigencies of the coming election campaign (Labour to hold crunch talks on future of £28bn green investment plan, 19 January), they should remember three things: that sometimes attack is the best form of defence; that “the only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable” (JK Galbraith); and that we the voters need “reasons to be cheerful” (Ian Dury).
David Purdy
Stirling

• In his letter about lifelong learning, Prof Jonathan Michie (Letters, 21 January) did not mention the Open University. At the age of 30, I enrolled for the science foundation course and found it fascinating. So much so that I now have an Open University BA to add to my older Birmingham BSc. I still have a student number so I am able enrol for further courses.
Tony Meacock
Norwich

• Ruth Windle would throw up her hands in horror at my bookshelves (Letters, 21 January) – books poking out at random intervals – and as for classification … A new friend, perusing my books, noted that the Kama Sutra was placed next to The Snowman. He remarked that it said a lot about me. I am still wondering.
Val Mainwood
Wivenhoe, Essex

• As the road safety markings in the street fade into invisibility, the potholes multiply and the nation’s children – thousands of whom don’t even have their own bed – are stunted from inadequate feeding, I do not want any tax cuts (Jeremy Hunt hints at voter-friendly tax giveaway in March budget, 18 January). I want that we all pay our share, and for the nation to thrive.
Donald Simpson (aged 79)
Rochdale, Greater Manchester

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