I write from the West Bank (although my arty friends refer to our lively town as the Left Bank) of the Mersey to defend the Guardian from Bill McGinley’s conspiracy charge (Letters, 19 July). The evidence? Occasional letters on these pages. However, unless the local Labour party can provide me with a candidate who does not help to keep this wretched government afloat and who does not choose to defend the disgraced Esther McVey rather than her victorious socialist successor, I may have to sail back to the town where I was born. In a yellow submarine.

Kevin Donovan

Birkenhead, Merseyside

• Bill McGinley’s letter reminded me of a Liverpudlian telling me that the reason they built the Mersey Tunnel was “so you wouldn’t be seen going to Birkenhead”.

David Critchlow

Poole, Dorset

• Many years ago, my father was chauffeur to the mayor of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. During an earlier time of austerity the council decided to sell off the mayoral car. In future, the mayor would travel in the chauffeur’s own car. They changed their minds when my father showed them the photograph of his pale blue Morris Minor, with borough pendant proudly flying from the bonnet, parked between the Rolls Royces and Bentleys at Buckingham Palace.

Kate Wheller

Weymouth, Dorset

• My husband has asked me: “What is Love Island, and why is it mentioned in the Guardian all the time?” I know not how to answer this question, at least not the second bit. Can you or your readers help?

Isabella Stone

Matlock, Derbyshire

• Now I’m lost. Which Tories are the rebels today (Relief for May as she sees off Tory rebels, 18 July)?

Allan McRobert

Kirkcaldy, Fife

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