I share the frustration felt by John Harris (These are big moments in our history. Why is Labour’s response so small?, 24 January) at Keir Starmer’s inability, or unwillingness, to grasp this opportunity to elucidate a coherent Labour party vision for the future. With Brexit, we are seeing some of the grim realities of having left the EU, which are a far cry from the promises made by Tory Brexiters. Covid has demonstrated the weaknesses inherent in a government whose stop-start approach to managing the pandemic is based on allowing big business to take advantage of the chaos created by its own handling of the crisis. Now is the time for Labour to set out, vividly and clearly, a narrative for the future based on rebuilding communities. It needs to challenge the government to fulfil the promises made, through slick slogans and soundbites, to “red wall” voters; to describe in stark relief what could be achieved through a Labour government compared with what is being achieved by a Tory one; to show where the priorities of both parties lie and lay bare their guiding principles – profit for plutocrats on the right hand or welfare of the community on the left. Covid has created new ways of working – which are positive. People are staying at home, within their local communities. It is here that the future lies. Labour shouldn’t let this opportunity slip away, or worse, be hijacked by a Tory government. Sue Hunter Brockenhurst, Hampshire • John Harris gets to the heart of the Labour dilemma. Win back “red wall” defectors or build something different? Why not “big government”, to build on what the Tories have been dragged kicking and screaming into? The pandemic has underlined the value of our networks of communal support and those dedicated to community – our GP practices, hospitals, public health teams, schools, care workers and nurses. It’s also proved that government investment in vital services is paramount. Our capitalism needs adjusting. Let’s see Labour’s new vision advocate for “big government”, for national investment in anything that benefits our citizens, whether it be energy costs, health, education transport or workers’ rights and environmental standards. Michael Newman Shefford, Bedfordshire • For the past year, an unsuitable prime minister, leading the least talented cabinet of modern times, has had the good fortune to be facing an opposition that is going through a process of regrouping with a view to mounting a serious challenge in the future. Too often, the opposition has appeared to be more like a visit from Ofsted inspectors or the auditors: tell us why you are doing this, what you hoped to achieve, whether you explored any alternatives, how much it cost and where are the receipts – all perfectly good questions. It’s just that they are, as John Harris tells us, small responses to big issues. “Keeping your powder dry” is a reasonable approach, especially when your opponent is persistently making mistakes without any help, and it is still over three years until the next general election. However, politics isn’t just about strategy or a set of tactics – values and vision need to figure too, and impatience within and outside parliament and the party is growing. Keir Starmer attracted support from a broad range of members to get elected as leader and, if he wants to retain that support, the forensic style will need to be laced with more passion and spread more widely across the benches. Les Bright Exeter