Seumas Milne ('Continuity Labour' is the real roadblock to renewal, 14 April) claims that Progress promotes "triangulation, cuts and privatisation". I would like to know the basis on which he makes this assertion, which is patently untrue. Like both Ed Miliband and Ed Balls, we support the "Darling plan" to halve the deficit in four years and we have never argued for the privatisation of any part of the public services, supporting instead new models of ownership such as mutuals.
Milne fails to point out that it is only because of our commitment to openness and transparency that he is able to write in such detail about our funding – almost uniquely among organisations of our kind, we comply fully with the requirements of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act and register all the donations we are required to with the Electoral Commission. He also omits to tell readers that, alongside the corporate sponsors he names, we've received sponsorship from trade unions, charities, public bodies and mutuals, and last year brought in over £30,000 in small donations under £150 and membership fees. But I'd imagine none of this fits with the narrative of Blairite disloyalty and perniciousness Milne had decided upon before he began writing his column.
Robert Philpot
Director, Progress