Clockwise from top: Diane Abbott [Chris McAndrew], Tony Benn [Isujosh], Ken Livingstone, John McDonnell [Roger Harris] and Jeremy Corbyn

• WHAT a timely warning in George Binette’s review (Five lives, June 20) of Andy Beckett’s The Searchers: Five Rebels, Their Dream of a Different Britain and Their Many Enemies, just before the hopes of major changes via a new administration.

As author of the hounded and marginalised Labour left, The Socialist League in the 1930s (2005), yes, these five politicians, (Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone, John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott), likewise have failed to shift the balance of power and wealth to working people.

Britain is more unequal in terms of wealth and income distribution today than 1974.

Dubbed by some “the loony left”, they have faced a mainly virulently belittling and hostile media throughout.

However, they have succeeded in extra-parliamentary activism against social oppression, in opposition to imperialism and racism, with gains for women’s rights, minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ people and a more socially liberal society.

Those to the left of the Labour Party will, as in the 1930s, now play a crucial role as radicals with influence following this coming “changing” government.

MIKE BOR, W2