I personally don't think your editorial on Jeremy Corbyn (The Tablet, 8 August) was too indulgent, as Terry Philpot writes (The Tablet, 15 August).
Yes, his views about consorting with extreme groups can be divisive but his premise is that it is better to have dialogue, which could further the aims of peace and reconciliation. In a recent article in the New Statesman he is quite transparent about these contentious alliances but as he rightly maintains Tony Blair has met with these people as well. To erect brick walls can be self-defeating and to accept other viewpoints although maybe not agreeing with them can be illuminating and progressive.
This was the case of Stalin and Churchill in the Second World War, worlds apart in ideology but they did find a common ground.
The ground swell of favourable opinion for this contender is because he is coming across as the "real deal" with opinions and views which may not be to everyone's taste but they are authentic and honed over many years in Parliament as a trenchant believer in his own philosophy.
He has a genuine handle on the inequality in our "wealthy country" today which was portrayed in the very proactive article "Marketplace for need" in last week's Tablet. To think outside the shopping trolley to feed hungry families is estimable but it still begs the question, how did we get into this iniquitous situation in the first place when so many people are dependent on food banks?
It is well established that Mr Corbyn is vociferous and angry at the level of poverty in Britain today.
So although some of his views may be "Marmite flavoured" he is the man of the moment who has resonated with so many especially the disenfranchised youth in Britain. To my mind he is a bracing breath of fresh, unspinned air and he is exactly what it says on the tin, which in the disingenuous political arena today is nothing short of a modern miracle. I don't think he will be thrown to the lions anytime soon.
Judith A Daniels, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
On many core issues of UK politics, eg nuclear weapons, Jeremy Corbyn’s policies are the same as those of the Green Party, and not shared by any of the other Labour leadership candidates. It will be an injustice if those who have been supportive of the Green Party in the past are not allowed to vote in the Labour leadership election.
Brendan O’Brien, London N21
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