As a long-term climate protester, I have appreciated Dale Vince’s financial, practical and visible support for Just Stop Oil (I helped fund Just Stop Oil, but no more. The ballot box will be more powerful than disruption, 6 October). I understand his reasoning about the Tories’ cynical strategy of using protest as a divisive vote winner. I understand why he’s prioritising climate over economic issues (though the two are of course deeply interrelated). This is indeed a highly important election. Its outcome will contribute significantly to whether humans, and many other species, will survive beyond the next few decades. Politics doesn’t get any more epic than that.
However, Vince doesn’t apply the same logic in his statement that “a vote for anyone other than Labour, or no vote at all, is a vote for another Tory government”. Such a suggestion is worse than incorrect, it’s dangerously counterproductive. A Labour vote in constituencies where another progressive candidate has the most support will help the Conservative candidate win.
Vince might do well to look at what South Devon Primary group is doing: engaging in a process to ensure the most popular progressive candidate is identified to reduce the risk of wasted votes and ensure the incumbent Tory loses their seat. The more constituencies that adopt a similar approach, the fewer seats the Tories will win. Fund the Labour party if you like, Dale, but South Devon Primary’s intelligent, pragmatic and democratic approach is more worthy, and needing, of your unequivocal endorsement.
Gill Coombs
Melksham, Wiltshire
• I am delighted to hear that Dale Vince is withdrawing support from Just Stop Oil. As a rational person I am in 100% agreement with the group’s aims, but its methods are actively counterproductive. You win an argument by making friends, not with aggression. And contrary to its claims, I would say that kettling people indiscriminately in their cars on a motorway, for example, is not a peaceful act.
Mr Vince now realises what was always true: antagonising random members of the public is not going to change any government policy, but will make people angry and, for some, that anger will be directed against your aims as well as your movement. A voting drive to get Labour into power on a green mandate is a more positive strategy, and I wish him every success.
Jake Prime
Dartford, Kent
• I wholeheartedly agree with Dale Vince’s decision to concentrate his efforts on supporting Labour to end this destructive period of Conservative rule. I still count myself as a climate campaigner and activist, but unfortunately protest, especially by Just Stop Oil, has got us nowhere. In fact, it has sadly fuelled the Tories’ narrative of irresponsible anti-British “woke” people (us) and responsible, patriotic, upright citizens (them). The Just Vote campaign is definitely the way ahead for a constructive vital future free of “business as usual”.
Emily Thwaite
Redmarley, Gloucestershire
• Can I be the 94th person to point out Dale Vince’s political naivety? To state “Labour is green” is seriously wishful thinking, and in some constituencies like ours, a vote for Labour would mean the Tories would definitely get in. Vote for Labour by all means when it will work, but in the meantime vote tactically to get the Tories out.
Nick Francis
Bath
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