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Jeremy Corbyn

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grufty jim Aug 12, 2015 20:57:06

Replying to stray

stray wrote:

When are these twats going to realise that they're 'oh noes, the sky will turn red and rain frogs if Corbyn wins' pronouncements are having the complete opposite effect to what they intend. As they're as universally despised by those who will actually be voting as any face on the Tory front bench is.

Blair's at it again. Apparently Labour faces annihilation if Corbyn becomes leader.

Thing is, as I've said already, I actually kind of agree with him. I don't think the New Labour tendency (which - after all - forms the bulk of the Parliamentary Party) can exist within a Corbyn-led party. I watched him on Andrew Marr and came away puzzled (and quite heartened) by just how unashamedly left-wing he really is.

I'm not saying we can expect farm collectivisation to feature in the next Labour manifesto or anything, but he is a long way to the left of Blair and those that followed him. And I don't see them accepting his leadership.

At that point the only real question is whether the split comes in the form of a mass migration of MPs to the Lib Dems (who would probably welcome the colonisation and assimilation with open arms) - or whether they form an official "New Labour Party" - though the costs and logistics of that would far exceed the LibDem colonisation strategy.

What remains of Labour when the right jumps ship might not survive as a significant force in UK politics. Clearly I hope otherwise, but the risk is always there when a movement splits.

Corbyn impressed me more than I expected him to. Which makes me very pessimistic about his chances of mainstream success ;-)

thesweetcheat Aug 12, 2015 22:29:49

Replying to grufty jim

Blair doesn't seem to realise that every time he opens his mouth he drives more people towards Corbyn and away from the Stepford candidates.

I expect a "sexed up" dossier about how Corbyn is an imminent threat to national security to be appearing any day now.

stray Aug 13, 2015 07:11:45

Replying to grufty jim

Maybe I'm being over optomistic (likely) but I don't get why there is a consensus that he is unelectable considering the turn out and excitement he's generating at public meetings. Before all this you'ld be lucky to get over 20 people to a meeting (anywhere in the UK) where the politics voiced was this left.

I also dont think there are enough people on the right of the party who are strong enough in their principles now to create a meaningful split. Interestimg and unpredictable times.

Locodogz Aug 13, 2015 10:56:55

Replying to grufty jim

I have to say that originally bought into the 'Corbyn's a disaster, he'll be unelectable' line as peddled by the PLP and media. However having seen the reaction and support he's received, as well as a few of the interviews he's given I've come around to the view that he'd be a great thing for the party

The prospect of a genuine opposition leader (rather than one trying in essence to agree without sounding like it) at PMQs excites me. I rather doubt he'll ever make PM but the prospect of getting a genuine left-wing agenda (state ownership etc) into a wider mainstream debate/spotlight is a massive opportunity. I'm sure it won't be without pain but the prospect of a Real Labour (as opposed to New Labour) party is worth it. He'll be getting my vote.