Current Affairs The Labour Party

[NilSatisOptimum]

People thinking what Corbyn is offering is communism need to read a book.

They need to back to info wars.

 

[nsno-chris]

Perception.

Probably scared of saying anything else in case they had their surgery attacked

 

[tsubaki]

They need to back to info wars.

Or at least stop vandalising Marx’s grave.

 

[peteblue]

Or at least stop vandalising Marx’s grave.

That’s disgraceful btw. We may or may not agree with people from the past, but we should at least allow them to rest in peace.....

 

[ToffeeTim]

Good on these 7 I say. It's rare to see politicians make a conviction decision, even when they know it will probably result in them losing their jobs at the next election. Party politics is extremely stale right now.

 

[The binman chronicles]

That is the thing - people absolutely should look at why, or more importantly how, New Labour was created.

Blair identified that the old ways of left politics did not work, got himself elected as leader (with a bit of luck) and proceeded to develop his identity and his ideas within the party. He won arguments within the party, built strength locally (London is still stuffed with Progress-affiliated CLPs) and got the membership and the PLP to agree with him most of the time - even Corbyn, in the Parliament of 1997-2001, only rebelled 8.7% of the time (the least amount of any of Blair or Brown's terms). He built a position that was unrivalled in the party and, in 1997, the country as well. He could have done anything with it, improved the lives of millions and restored the damage that Thatcher had done to society and the country.

What he did not do is flounce off with the SDP in 1983; he understood that it is not possible to build a viable third party in a two party system.

The difference is the wind of change was blowing in Blair's direction. Kinnock had already sorted the militants and softened the underbelly ready for someone to take over the mantle and take it further. I'm sure you know this but just for those that don't, New Labour was not Blair's idea alone, there was also Brown who was shadow chancellor and Mandelson who was in charge of the campaigns and branding. A third way socialist sitting in Labour right now is seeing the ship disappearing off in the distance in other direction. That must be very disheartening.

However I don't agree with the split, they should have stayed and fought their corner. I particularly don't like the words they have chosen to use today. What we don't know is did Corbyn reach out and personally try to talk these MPs round and give a little to make that happen? I would like to think he did but his persona gives off the impression that he wouldn't have been too upset.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Good on these 7 I say. It's rare to see politicians make a conviction decision, even when they know it will probably result in them losing their jobs at the next election. Party politics is extremely stale right now.

Conviction will come when they face electorate, it would nice too believe they choose to face their constituents by agreeing to by-elections but they will avoid doing so.

 

[tim cahill]

Good on these 7 I say. It's rare to see politicians make a conviction decision, even when they know it will probably result in them losing their jobs at the next election. Party politics is extremely stale right now.

They wouldn’t have been elected if they weren’t Labour candidates though. It betrays those that voted for them in my opinion.

 

[ToffeeTim]

They wouldn’t have been elected if they weren’t Labour candidates though. It betrays those that voted for them in my opinion.

Sure I've said they will probably lose their jobs. I don't see any of them being re-elected and I respect them for showing conviction despite that fact.

 

[tsubaki]

The difference is the wind of change was blowing in Blair's direction. Kinnock had already sorted the militants and softened the underbelly ready for someone to take over the mantle and take it further. I'm sure you know this but just for those that don't, New Labour was not Blair's idea alone, there was also Brown who was shadow chancellor and Mandelson who was in charge of the campaigns and branding. A third way socialist sitting in Labour right now is seeing the ship disappearing off in the distance in other direction. That must be very disheartening.

However I don't agree with the split, they should have stayed and fought their corner. I particularly don't like the words they have chosen to use today. What we don't know is did Corbyn reach out and personally try to talk these MPs round and give a little to make that happen? I would like to think he did but his persona gives off the impression that he wouldn't have been too upset.

Indeed, and that is one of the two main differences between him and this group who - Berger aside - have done nothing but complain ever since Corbyn won the first time. The other is that Blair was actually competent.

 

[davek]

No longer using our movement as a vehicle for their own careers. The absolute best this lot can hope for from all this is ensuring more Tory election wins. Not exactly something you want on your epitaph.

They ARE Tories mate. Always were. The whole political system has been one shade or other of Tory since the mid-80s and the collapse of the labour movement after the Miners' defeat.

I welcome these free-market buccaneers and interlopers leaving, and I hope and pray the rest of their sort join them - very soon.

 

[tim cahill]

Sure I've said they will probably lose their jobs. I don't see any of them being re-elected and I respect them for showing conviction despite that fact.

But in the meantime their constituents that voted for a Labour candidate are not being represented.

 

[dannyboy]

They ARE Tories mate. Always were. The whole political system has been one shade or other of Tory since the mid-80s and the collapse of the labour movement after the Miners' defeat.

I welcome these free-market buccaneers and interlopers leaving, and I hope and pray the rest of their sort join them - very soon.

Lots of talk of Tories joining the group this morning. Toxic mix. Even though they fundamentally agree on everything they will have a hard time drawing up policies to appease everyone in the group. The Tory defectors will want centre right ideas and the Labour group will want to at least create the perception they are centre left.

 

[ToffeeTim]

But in the meantime their constituents that voted for a Labour candidate are not being represented.

How do you know they aren't being represented? I doubt they are now also refusing to work on behalf of labour voting constituents.

60% of the population have an MP they didn't vote for. I don't get your point.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Lots of talk of Tories joining the group this morning. Toxic mix. Even though they fundamentally agree on everything they will have a hard time drawing up policies to appease everyone in the group. The Tory defectors will want centre right ideas and the Labour group will want to at least create the perception they are centre left.

Who will that be then, Anna Soubry defines centre party, alrighty.....