Current Affairs 2017 General Election

[Bruce Wayne]

From Corbyns campaign, I think he's made it quite clear that his priorities are (1) get a deal, rather than having the "no deal better than a bad deal" approach, (2) negotiate in a co-operative spirit, rather than the "we'll be a tax haven" approach, (3) secure customs union membership, (4) secure rights of British nationals abroad.

I don't really know what else there is for the man to say, like how much detail are you expecting without him prejudicing their negotiating position?

I think he's made a fairly credible case in the last few TV appearances, personally, and I'm by no means a "Corbynista".

Given the unbelievable complexity of the negotiations, I'd like more than a few bullet points. I'm not saying May is any better btw. I'm 99% sure we'll get to the 2 year point with bugger all negotiated.

 

[Clint Planet]

Thatcher would utterly ruin Corbyn.

In 1983, perhaps. Not in 2017.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Is the "wish list" argument not just a poor attempt to discredit the guy?

The manifesto is fully costed and I've not heard any genuine arguments to suggest there are any serious black holes or errors in that regard.

The only arguments seem to be "so and so forgot the figures in an interview" which isnt ideal, but it doesn't change the fact that the figures exist.

The figures are costed based on some almighty assumptions, which given the uncertainty of Brexit I'm not sure they can be taken with anything but a huge dollop of salt.

 

[roydo]

Is the "wish list" argument not just a poor attempt to discredit the guy?

The manifesto is fully costed and I've not heard any genuine arguments to suggest there are any serious black holes or errors in that regard.

The only arguments seem to be "so and so forgot the figures in an interview" which isnt ideal, but it doesn't change the fact that the figures exist.

If you care to read my posts on Corbyn, I have not once tried to discredit him. In fact, I have been fulsome in my praise of him in this campaign.

But the manifesto is a throwback to days I recall, when the answer to everything was tax more, spend more, sorry "invest" more.

 

[bring the ghost on]

I wouldnt expect anyone to list their details, other than a broad brush approach, which both have done, to be fair.

Its just that Corbyn has been excellent in the campaign, from a soundbite/hes ok, sort of way. But I just cannot see him having the nouse to actually negotiate, bearing in mind that he actually as never had to do it, like, ever.

His natural habitat is to be on the side of the contrary side of an argument, which in its self, isnt a bad thing, but his ability, or willingness, to put a trade deal head and shoulders above any pet projects of his, I worry about.

Or silent May. Christ on a bike.

Take your points.

I would say that the hardcore negotiation is likely to be carried out by pros rather than the PM, but obviously the PM is still an important part of the negotiation process.

Corbyn has always been a contrarian, but that might play into his hands to some extent - he is used to putting forward strong opinions but has always treated people with respect at the same time.

 

[roydo]

Take your points.

I would say that the hardcore negotiation is likely to be carried out by pros rather than the PM, but obviously the PM is still an important part of the negotiation process.

Corbyn has always been a contrarian, but that might play into his hands to some extent - he is used to putting forward strong opinions but has always treated people with respect at the same time.

Wouldnt disagree with a word of that.

 

[bring the ghost on]

Given the unbelievable complexity of the negotiations, I'd like more than a few bullet points. I'm not saying May is any better btw. I'm 99% sure we'll get to the 2 year point with bugger all negotiated.

Think it's a bit naive to expect anything other than "headline terms" Bruce. This is a very complex procedure but there is no way any modern politician is going to delve into that level of detail in an election campaign.

 

[bring the ghost on]

If you care to read my posts on Corbyn, I have not once tried to discredit him. In fact, I have been fulsome in my praise of him in this campaign.

But the manifesto is a throwback to days I recall, when the answer to everything was tax more, spend more, sorry "invest" more.

I don't mean that you are on a mission to discredit him, I meant more in the general sense of the mud which is slung/sticking.

My impression is that the "wish list" argument comes from the Tories because they have bugger all on their manifesto which is progressive or inspiring and have to resort to calling anything other than savage cuts fantasy land politics.

 

[tsubaki]

The thing is, we either have a Corbyn from whom we've heard next to nothing about Brexit (and we can surely discount the vast range of domestic policies given the huge attention Brexit will demand) or May who is a laughing stock. Doesn't fill you with confidence does it?

er - he gave a lengthy speech today about Brexit, and we now have much more of an idea about what a Labour Brexit would be like than what the Tory one would be. He even appeared to commit to remaining in most of the pan-European bodies like Europol and Eurojust, and keeping the EAW, which would strongly imply that they want to remain in (or be in a position that means the same as remaining in) the single market.

 

[roydo]

I don't mean that you are on a mission to discredit him, I meant more in the general sense of the mud which is slung/sticking.

My impression is that the "wish list" argument comes from the Tories because they have bugger all on their manifesto which is progressive or inspiring and have to resort to calling anything other than savage cuts fantasy land politics.

I just saw a list of stuff that was all going to be funded by raising tax, then spending it.

My default position for years has been we raise enough tax. We just spend it awfully.

 

[tsubaki]

I honestly wouldn't be that surprised if she stepped down for some unspecified reasons within the next week. Tory PMs do not chicken out of Women's Hour. (edit) Something is seriously wrong over there.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

er - he gave a lengthy speech today about Brexit, and we now have much more of an idea about what a Labour Brexit would be like than what the Tory one would be. He even appeared to commit to remaining in most of the pan-European bodies like Europol and Eurojust, and keeping the EAW, which would strongly imply that they want to remain in (or be in a position that means the same as remaining in) the single market.

I've been at an EU event so haven't seen any speeches over the past 48 hours.

 

[abelard]

I've been at an EU event so haven't seen any speeches over the past 48 hours.

what do our European friends make of the proceedings?

 

[roydo]

what do our European friends make of the proceedings?

Sipping coffee, shrugging, eating pizza, and polishing Audis and BMWs.

And then going home and giggling a little bit while they look forward to watching Juve and RM play a football match in Cardiff tomorrow.

 

[tsubaki]

I've been at an EU event so haven't seen any speeches over the past 48 hours.

Ah. As an aside, was it you or roydo who said they were a consultant in the healthcare field?

If so would you be affected by the EMA leaving? (I ask only because its been in Private Eye quite often).