Miliband speech put us on real road to socialism

He's shown true potential as a future prime minister who could lead the party toward achieving the greatest social advances in the history of the labour movement, with positive progress towards the development of a lasting socialist society.

His notion of "the one-nation state" - with the NHS, the determination to harness the banks to the common good, together with industrial and educational policies aimed at levelling up the quality of life and opportunity - forms a sound foundation for establishing a modern state in which the true potential for each individual is encouraged and nurtured, for the benefit of society and the dignity and wellbeing of every individual member of it.

This may not seem the "road to socialism" for some, those who still believe that some day "the working class" will rise up and "cast off their chains" under militant, left-wing leadership.

Those people (like Tony and Joe) have not yet learned that, while leadership cannot be given from the rear, neither can it be given by being so far out in front that it is out of sight.

Ed Miliband has pointed the way forward. It may not be perfect, but his pledge of a one-nation state has opened up the way for the left to play its part in winning people over to the socialist values which are essential for a truly decent and fair society.

So let us follow this "new road to socialism" by giving Ed and the Labour Party our full support and collaboration, saving our demands until they are in a position to do something about them - when we have got this lot out and Labour back in.

Bill Banning

Birmingham