Polly Toynbee vindicates Saturday's mass protest by citing the Jarrow marches changing the conscience of affluent Britain (Ignore the sneers, 25 March). The severity of social deprivation and economic inequity suffered by the industrial north in the 1930s cannot be compared to our present austerity. The welfare system established by Attlee in 1945 is still largely functional today. The Labour party has reached the end-point of its ideological evolution. Regaining a centre-ground political role is impossible unless Ed Miliband and his colleagues can come up with new reformist ideas, as Blair, Mandelson and Brown did after John Smith's death.
Sam Banik
London
• At the same time as heralding the beginning of a public response to austerity, why does Polly Toynbee rubbish the industrial action taken by members of the University and College Union last week as being "against students" and "self-defeating"? University of Nottingham staff stood side by side with students on picket lines on Tuesday and Thursday. A UCU leaflet was published jointly with students, whose occupation against fee rises staff had applauded last year. This was more than support, rather a recognition of common interests.
Prof Andreas Bieler
Dr Sarah Browne
Dr Michael Craven
Dr Rob Lutton
Dr Spencer Mawby
Dr. Adam Morton
Ms Rosemary Muge
Dr Christopher Phelps
Dr. Claire Taylor
University of Nottingham
• I joined the TUC demonstration for many reasons. Among them is the fact that usually at this time of year, 80% of year-12 students, in a leafy suburb of London, express an interest in going on to university. This year it is down to 45%. What is it in the inner cities?
Simon Shaw
Redbridge Teachers' Association
• The TUC march was simply grandstanding. How much more impressive it would have been if each town and city had peacefully occupied every bank and store that avoids paying tax.
Roland White
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
• Is it possible to give the violent few minimal publicity? Hundreds of thousands of decent people made long journeys to protest peacefully, and it's all for nothing when the front pages carry nothing but images of destruction by a tiny handful of egotistical brats.
Victoria Trow
Totnes, Devon
• Saturday's protesters have two reasons to be angry with the rich. First wealthy people evade tax. Then, when we object, their ghastly kids hijack our demonstrations posing as anarchists.
Alan Frost
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight