Current Affairs The Labour Party

[catcherintherye]

I try and stay far away from the whole internal Labour factionalism really - I don't understand enough about it. However, one thing that is fundamentally true is when Labour attract just a small percentage of soft-conservative voters, they win. That's not to say Labour going after the 'centre ground' is right or wrong, but it's one of the inescapable facts of British politics.

There's no doubt, particularly with the electoral system we have, winning Tory voters is key critical (and vice versa).

The problem is, what do you have to sacrifice in the long term to do so? What damage is done to your own side in doing so?

Labour got some Tory votes in 97 and 2001 but hollowed their own support out in the process. It went down and didn't really recover until Corbyn came in.

Honestly you go and knock in working class estates, that 25 years ago would have been majority Labour, outside of a city like Liverpool and see how many voters we have left. Lots of canvassers don't even want to do it. It's grim to see.

 

[dannyboy]

I totally agree with that... but, unless Rishi Sunak takes over from Boris, I see Keir comfortably winning next time. Polls aren't worth looking at during a crisis as people lend sympathy to the government. I suspect in 18 months the polls will look an awful lot different.

I can´t see Johnson standing again. He´s already complaining about the job not paying enough. I think his dream was always to have the title Prime Minister rather than actually fulfill any of the responsibility that comes with the role.

 

[Deleted member 48881]

The report wasnt even harsh, Corbyn should have kept it quiet.

Still, Starmer should lift the suspension asap. He had a good lead since March. Intra party war is the last thing he wants.

 

[roydo]

If we all got along and agreed with eachother there would be nobody to hold the leaders of the party to account.

Thats fine, but calling for civil war is a bit far!

 

[Khalekan]

 

[Charro]

Thats fine, but calling for civil war is a bit far!

It’s not us that have started the civil war within the party though.

This is a clear attempt to purge the Labour Party of a certain type of politician, the type of politician that has built the labour movement over decades.

People can’t sit back and let that happen.

Im sounding like davek ffs

 

[catcherintherye]

Thats fine, but calling for civil war is a bit far!

The thing is mate, the civil war has been started. I mean not literally, we are talking figuratively. We are already here, but only 1 side is engaged currently.

 

[Mrk]

There's no doubt, particularly with the electoral system we have, winning Tory voters is key critical (and vice versa).

The problem is, what do you have to sacrifice in the long term to do so? What damage is done to your own side in doing so?

Labour got some Tory votes in 97 and 2001 but hollowed their own support out in the process. It went down and didn't really recover until Corbyn came in.

Honestly you go and knock in working class estates, that 25 years ago would have been majority Labour, outside of a city like Liverpool and see how many voters we have left. Lots of canvassers don't even want to do it. It's grim to see.

Couldn't agree with you more. One of the main problems is being 'working class' becomes less relevant every year - we're on the steady (if sluggish) march to a lower-middle-class society, and, eventually, class will become largely irrelevant. Labour need to understand that and adapt.

 

[dannyboy]

There's no doubt, particularly with the electoral system we have, winning Tory voters is key critical (and vice versa).

The problem is, what do you have to sacrifice in the long term to do so? What damage is done to your own side in doing so?

Labour got some Tory votes in 97 and 2001 but hollowed their own support out in the process. It went down and didn't really recover until Corbyn came in.

Honestly you go and knock in working class estates, that 25 years ago would have been majority Labour, outside of a city like Liverpool and see how many voters we have left. Lots of canvassers don't even want to do it. It's grim to see.

A lot of these people despise Labour. They hate Blair and Brown as much as they hate Corbyn. I think part of the problem is when they look at the opposition benches they don´t see people like themselves. Unfortunately, a lot see they have more in common with Farage.

 

[Mrk]

I can´t see Johnson standing again. He´s already complaining about the job not paying enough. I think his dream was always to have the title Prime Minister rather than actually fulfill any of the responsibility that comes with the role.

Agree - I think he'll happily step down, which would be bad news as I think Sunak is quite impressive (but incredibly and freakishly short...).

 

[catcherintherye]

It's worth noting that these actions were disproportiontely based on campaigns of the BAME community as well.

 

[catcherintherye]

A lot of these people despise Labour. They hate Blair and Brown as much as they hate Corbyn. I think part of the problem is when they look at the opposition benches they don´t see people like themselves. Unfortunately, a lot see they have more in common with Farage.

The rot set in with Blair/Brown. People knew he sacrificed them for Tory voters. Fair enough Corbyn didn't stem the tide, and didn't really try to, but the rot had long since set in.

 

[Connor]

Intra party war is the last thing he wants.

LOL

Writing has been on the wall since he was elected leader with his appointments.

Makes me sick that I was conned into backing him.

 

[dannyboy]

Agree - I think he'll happily step down, which would be bad news as I think Sunak is quite impressive (but incredibly and freakishly short...).

Haha never had any idea he was that short. Sunak is a lot more competent than Johnson that is for sure. With the right policies and Starmer abandoning a left wing agenda I think the Tories could pick up a few younger voters.

 

[Blues Harp]

A lot of these people despise Labour. They hate Blair and Brown as much as they hate Corbyn. I think part of the problem is when they look at the opposition benches they don´t see people like themselves. Unfortunately, a lot see they have more in common with Farage.

This.... I've heard quite a few people start a discussion about immigration, for example with the phrase "I'm not a racist but....." not only outside Liverpool either.