OVER the past few weeks the political landscape in our country has undergone an historic upheaval, with the Brexit leave vote, Theresa May as Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn’s re-election as Labour leader all turning the world on its head.

The Conservatives have now become ‘the workers’ party’, with new policies to put ordinary people first – lower taxes, jobs and educational opportunities.

This includes the opening of new selective grammar schools that would allow working class children an equal chance to progress as those who can afford to move to better areas or pay to go to private schools, which I was able to do in the 1960s as a child whose family would today count as low-income.

Fortunately that was just before Labour abolished them.

Most if not all of my schoolmates came from similar low-income families and going to a grammar school greatly benefited our life opportunities.

The selection was done on a fair and equal basis, ie on merit and flexible over capability, allowing pupils to leave or arrive in later years.

In a recent letter in the Journal Jo Platt, a Labour councillor and cabinet member for children/young people, reminded me why Labour under Corbyn have been called (by David Blunkett) ‘the nasty party’.

It struck me that her dogmatic anti-selection letter was a throwback to the 1960s, determined to prevent working class children alternative opportunities to shine, which her party leadership – including Corbyn and Dianne Abbott – had for themselves andtheir children.

Is ‘do as I say, not as I do’ the Labour Party’s slogan?

All life is about selection, be it university or becoming a MP or councillor such as Jo Platt.

Attacking the Conservatives for wanting to widen and improve educational standards may explain why Labour are in terminal decline?

Derek Bullock

Leigh Road