Before launching attacks on Polly Toynbee’s rational defence of Keir Starmer’s “hyper-caution” (Listen up, critics: first let Labour win power. Then scrutinise its real record, 17 July), critics should recognise a brutal but inescapable reality: if what we say about the Tory destruction of economic vitality, crucial public services and social justice is true – and it implacably is – we cannot say that we will rapidly reverse the dereliction and expect to be believed.
Making such a promise might bring a spasm of hope to those of us who yearn for a Labour party victory. But it would not have any honest meaning, especially for those who most need the security of protection and of enablement.
