It's all a pantomime. Why on earth does anyone think Corbyn and McDonnell are not stepping down immediately, as would happen in every other normal situation after a second successive GE defeat, let lone one where you went dramatically backwards.
OF COURSE, it's so they can make sure Corbyn's successor can continue to carry to Corbyn flag. Corbyn doesn't want some wet coming along and unpicking all his good work. And as long as he's around the National Executive will select the right candidates and momentum will ensure the right one is chosen and duly anointed. This is of course Rebecca Long-Bailey.
They'd probably just announce her appointment this afternoon if it were not to cause uproar. So they have to go through this nonsense about "a proper period of reflection" bla bla bla and "a fully democratic process" before appointing her to the role. It's a done deal.
OK maybe. The problem I think is who else could it be?There will be a vote and the system is a decent one where candidates are dropped until one gets 50%. Most people won't look past whoever momentum back. However Momentum are around 10-15% of labour membership (as I understand it), and who knows what they now think after last week. So not as slam dunk as you think.
Also worth noting that Corbyn got 60% in 2x contests so it only needs a 10%ish swing to a moderate candidate.
OK maybe. The problem I think is who else could it be?
Lisa Nandy is less popular than RLB and Jess Philipps ditto. Thorbury and Cooper are long shots. It's really between Starmer and RLB. The party desperately needs Starmer, but he's another from the metropolitan elite and worse, the staunchest of Remainers - the man many in the Labour party will see as being responsible for their Remainy position, and a major reason they lost so many seats.
Still, he may prevail I suppose, but I can't see it myself.
Regardless of the quality of the possible candidates, it is making me laugh that there are many who seem to think the only way labour can get northern votes is to have a northern labour leader, when we just lost to an eton educated posh prick who is about as southern as it gets. The problem was not that Corbyn didn't come from the north, the problem is he is a twat.
I wasn't meaning they should pick a leader who backs it. More that Starmer may be badly tainted by too many pro-Brexit Labour members.Labour support comes from 2 camps traditional working class who are typically the victims of tory policy (but have been brainwashed into brexit support) and progressive urban elites who object to the right wing / alt right mindset. The idea that Labour have to choose one side or appeal to both is where they went wrong - they should stick with center left progressive politics and leave the BSing to Boris. Brexit will be a problem not a solutiion going forward so the idea that you pick a leader to back it is plain wrong - they need to think ahead.
I wasn't meaning they should pick a leader who backs it. More that Starmer may be badly tainted by too many pro-Brexit Labour members.
Going off his past record, I'll be pretty impressed if he manages to get to the next election without getting sacked. His record on lying is not exactly the best. At least we're getting 40 new hospitals......Yes - and take brexit away from him in the next election and that is what you are left with - a lying twat. A massive Labour turnaround is doable - but they are saying all the wrong things right now.
Really? That surprises me greatly, bearing in mind the momentum grip and Corbyn's anti-Brexit position.Membership is 80% remain.
Really? That surprises me greatly, bearing in mind the momentum grip and Corbyn's anti-Brexit position.