I DEEPLY regret the decision by some Labour MPs to leave the Labour Party. I believe that they have made the wrong decision.

I was brought up in a working class and staunchly Labour family in the South Lakes, and the election of Labour governments helped to transform the lives of working people and create the fairer and more equal society which they richly deserve.

However, I have been appalled by the anti semitism and extremism witnessed in the last few years. The Labour Party needs to address these issues if it is to effectively challenge the Conservatives and win power again.

John A. Bateson

Labour candidate Westmorland & Lonsdale 2001 and 2015