DEREK Bullock talks about "failed left-wing " policies.

Is he talking about the NHS? Still the envy of the world, even though the right-wing are doing their best to run it into the ground.

Does he mean nationalised railways? Ask commuters if they are happy since the Tories privatised them.

Maybe he means our utilities — gas, electricity and water. Nationalised by Labour. Sold off by the Tories. And we all know what has happened since.

Derek says socialism is dead. "The electorate is rapidly shifting to the right," he tells us.

Well perhaps so. But that is because Labour has had nothing to offer, except a copy-cat version of the Tories.

People want something different. They moved to the right because UKIP seemed to be offering something different.

Jeremy Corbyn and Andy Burnham — and Yvette Cooper to some extent, are offering to get Labour back on track, giving voters a definite choice.

I doubt that Jeremy Corbyn will ever become leader, but already his influence is having an effect, pulling Burnham more to the left.

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove

Bolton