Letter From the United Kingdom

Written By: - Date published: 2:50 pm, April 24th, 2019 - 116 comments
Categories: uncategorized - Tags: ,

‘
 
In a spectacular display of her now blatant hypocrisy, UK Prime Minister Theresa May has accused Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn of – get this – “dragging his heels” in sorting out the Brexit calamity.
 
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Classic. This has been expected for a while now. The truth of the matter is that Brexit belongs entirely to previous Prime Minister David Cameron who, for no good reason whatsoever, called for the Brexit referendum, and to Theresa May who has blundered and botched every step along the way since the referendum result. The Conservative Party owns Brexit because the very reason for it ever happening in the first place was to sort out an internecine battle. 
 
But watch now as the UK MSM pours buckets of blame for Brexit on Jeremy Corbyn. Its all the Tories have left having failed in the hideous but sustained and probably illegal campaign to smear Corbyn as, variously, a complete idiot, a marrow-growing manhole lid collecting weirdo, a liar, a cult leader, a terrorist sympathiser, a communist, a spy for Czechoslovakia, and, most disgustingly, as an anti-Semite.
 
Yet, for all the shit the MSM and the Tories have thrown, none has stuck.  Throughout the MSM bombardment and parade of contrived controversies Jeremy Corbyn has remained calm and dignified. He’s ignored egregious  insults, never taken the bait to get into those trivial public squabbles the MSM so loves, and he’s swatted away an array of concocted scandals,  simply rising serenely above the worst of the smears and remaining largely unscathed.
 
Jeremy Corbyn’s class  performance has been driving the MSM and the Tories crazy as evidenced by their increasingly bizarre attempts to get anything, just something, to damage him. Inevitably,  its now come to an attempt to place blame for the eventual Brexit catastrophe on his shoulders. No chance. That patented and standard Tory Crosby/Textor tactic of blaming the opposition for that of which you are guilty won’t work. Not this time. 
 
Delightfully, and helpfully, Jeremy Corbyn’s resilience has been infuriating the Labour Party’s remaining Blairites for a little longer. They were shocked and then apoplectic when Jeremy Corbyn won the Leadership in September 2015 following the departure of hapless Ed Miliband. The Blairites placed blame for Jeremy Corbyn’s victory on the membership. In typical Blairite fashion, the members were scolded for making such a ridiculous mistake. Then, through sheer petulance and devious Party machinations, the Blairites managed to secure a second Leadership election. This time, the membership was told, get it right, don’t vote for Jeremy Corbyn, or Labour would never win Government.  Bad move, that imperious treatment of the members.
 
In September 2016, the members delivered Jeremy Corbyn a landslide mandate and, a little later on, sufficient

Traitorous Tom

control over the Party to remove the Blairite functionaries within the Party machinery who had been impeding his agenda. The Blairite MPs were given a chance to reform their ways and those who didn’t were rendered impotent. Well, all but one: traitorous Tom Watson, Corbyn’s Deputy Leader. He remains in the party and, because of his elected position, which gives him a platform, he cannot be easily removed.  The effort required and resulting howls of faux outrage would feed the MSM. More hassle than its worth.  Watson sits around using his position and platform to undermine Jeremy Corbyn every chance he gets. He’s largely isolated within  the Party but, of course, that doesn’t stop the MSM from working with him to agitate. Watson really is a disgrace, but so much so it is widely perceived which reduces him to being more of an irritant than a serious threat at this stage.
 
As for the other Blairite MPs, so impotent were they the only thing they could do was gather up their signed copies of “The Journey” and leave the Party to start their own. They have formed a private company to obscure what money comes in from whom, gathered a handful of disaffected Conservative Party MPs, and branded themselves as Change UK (CUK, for short). None of them have the integrity to resign from Parliament and remain as squatters in their constituencies. For now.
 
Meanwhile,  Jeremy Corbyn persists. His resilience speaks of a remarkable strength of character which, in turn, has attracted battalions of supporters gathering on social media. This dynamic has been incredibly helpful in allowing Jeremy Corbyn to cut-through the MSM narrative and limit the damage that might otherwise have hampered him and the Party.
Labour is now nearing a ten points lead over the Tories. Spurred on by Jeremy Corbyn’s “we are the media” speech, there’s a whirlwind of activity. Members rage over the injustices Theresa May is inflicting upon the people of the UK, some dedicate their time to fact checking and monitoring the MSM, there’s plenty of learned folk providing analysis, local activists are organising, “no safe Tory seats” is the cry.  And just about everybody is involved in keeping spirits up by creating and disseminating countless hilarious memes targeting the assorted protagonists and usual suspects while building cells within the network with “Social Sunday” follow lists. Such is the party atmosphere and sense of unity being generated on social media, membership of the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn continues to grow. Labour is now the largest socialist grouping in Europe.
Membership of the Conservative Party, on the other hand, has dwindled to such an extent that it can’t adequately finance an election. Its nearly broke. No doubt the bankers and fellow tax-dodging capitalists will cough up when the time comes, though. It will be interesting to see if they finance a pro-forma campaign in the knowledge its unlikely to succeed, or will the billionaires dig deep for a massive gamble to secure public assets like the NHS?
For the interim, no need for Jeremy Corbyn to speed up his pace to fit-in with Theresa May’s time table, no need even for him pay her the slightest attention.  She can keep his seat warm for now. 
 
 
 

116 comments on “Letter From the United Kingdom ”

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  1. mickysavage 1
    24 April 2019 at 2:55 pm

    Well said BLip. Good to see you are back!

  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    24 April 2019 at 3:05 pm

    Timely dispatch BLIP from the Brexit front, much appreciated thank you. The attitude to Jeremy Corbyn in the hallowed columns of “The Standard” has been interesting since his first election to Labour Leader. Generally scorned by learned Labourites here, moving on to trying to ignore him or smear him, to a grudging acknowledgement of his status.

    Oh Jeremy Corbyn! indeed. The more he is able to encourage the members and supporters to organise themselves, and deselect a few more Blair sycophant MPs, the more likely a Labour win ‘for the many not the few’ becomes.

    • Pierre 2.1
      24 April 2019 at 7:12 pm

      I agree, at times there’s been a slightly dismissive attitude towards Corbyn/Momentum on this site and it’s a bit off-putting. What the British Party of Labour seeks to achieve will go far beyond the administrative/managerial functions of right-wing social democracy, and even if the socialist project is bound to meet its limits, it is a serious attempt to challenge the state.

      Standard readers, be proud of your comrades!

  4. higherstandard 4
    24 April 2019 at 3:17 pm

    Poor old Britain – what a godawful shambles the politicians have made of things over there and with Corbyn and May they have two of the most odious party leaders in a great many years.

    • greywarshark 4.1
      26 April 2019 at 11:00 am

      Your nose is so high and sensitive higherstandard, that you should have a great career as a perfumier, a sommelier, a drug dog, a kakapo sniffer or such.

      You are very special and a treasure that is probably unrealised in wider society.

  5. adam 5
    24 April 2019 at 3:22 pm

    The anti-semite smear was the worst.

    Some here in NZ swallowed it though.

    • Shadrach 5.1
      24 April 2019 at 4:29 pm

      The anti-semite smear has come from some within Corbyn's own party who seem to have had first hand experience, including Ruth Smeeth. And Corbyn's own Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry had to apologise for comments Corbyn made at the launch of … wait for it … a probe into anti-Semitism within the UK Labour Party!

      I don't know whether Corbyn is anti-semitic, but he certainly gives every appearance of being one. As well as a complete fool to boot.

      • KJT 5.1.1
        24 April 2019 at 4:47 pm

        Bollocks.

        Opposing the IDF murdering children in Gaza, is not, anti-Semitic.

        • Shadrach 5.1.1.1
          24 April 2019 at 5:49 pm

          Is that all you think he did or said?

          How do feel about people within his own party who have spoken out?

          “JEREMY Corbyn is “the poster boy of anti-Semites everywhere”, a top Labour MP sensationally claimed today, as the party boss finally apologised for supporting an offensive mural. The extraordinary blast came as hundreds of protesters – and dozens of Labour and Tory MPs – descended on Westminster this evening to protest against his handling of anti-Semitism within the party, and he was found to be inside a THIRD group riddled with anti-Jew hate. Margaret Hodge MP said today that she was “deeply offended” by what seemed to be “persistent and pervasive anti-Semitism” in and around the Labour Party, and urged him to dissociate himself from the offensive thugs posting disgusting content.”
          https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5900120/jeremy-corbyn-apology-antisemitism-labour-mural/

          • Nic the NZer 5.1.1.1.1
            24 April 2019 at 6:00 pm

            I understand Jeremy Corbyn still wont appologise for winning the leadership vote either. How despicable.

            • Shadrach 5.1.1.1.1.1
              24 April 2019 at 6:10 pm

              Why should he apologise for that? Or is even the scent of antisemitism a joke to you?

              • Nic the NZer …
                24 April 2019 at 7:24 pm

                I looked into this. Spurious accusations of anti-semitism are a joke to me, yes.

          • Lettuce 5.1.1.1.2
            24 April 2019 at 8:16 pm

            This entire UK Labour/Corbyn “antisemitism” scandal is bullshit. The whole thing is a beat-up because there has never been a UK Prime Minister who has been prepared to deal evenhandedly with the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel and its supporters are determined that there never will be.
            It has begun with the attempted demolition of Jeremy Corbyn’s reputation as an unwavering opponent of racism in any form for over 40 years. This includes his opposition to both apartheid and Zionism.

            • Shadrach 5.1.1.1.2.1
              24 April 2019 at 8:30 pm

              ‘Unwavering opponent of racism’. So he isn’t anti-Semitic, just stupid. Thanks.

              • Lettuce …
                24 April 2019 at 9:55 pm

                I don’t think Corbyn’s stupid at all. He is well aware that his refusal to falsely conflate antisemitism with anti-Zionism doesn’t endear him to Israel’s apartheid government or its appeasers.

          • UncookedSelachimorpha 5.1.1.1.3
            24 April 2019 at 9:38 pm

            Be more believable if you can give direct quotes or actions from Corbyn that are anti-semitic. Not just second- and third-hand smears from people who are against him already.

            The Canary has a good article today that addresses this general issue:
            https://www.thecanary.co/opinion/2019/04/05/dear-haters-the-canary-isnt-antisemitic-you-just-dont-like-our-politics/

            • Shadrach 5.1.1.1.3.1
              24 April 2019 at 10:31 pm

              Associations matter. Just as much as words. That point is well made in this piece written by someone arguing against Corbyn being anti-Semitic. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/corbyn-may-say-hes-not-anti-semitic-but-associating-with-the-people-he-does-is-its-own-crime-10487318.html.

              Still, I’d think Corbyn saying “Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslim friends are for those various self-styled Islamic states or organisations” (which he later had to deny compared Israel to ISIS) wasn’t helpful.

              Here’s another view from inside the British Labour Party:

              “The British politician was Luciana Berger, who is Jewish and has been M.P. for Liverpool and Wavertree since 2010. She has watched, with dismay, as Jeremy Corbyn has allowed a demonological view of Israel to foster Jew hatred in the Labour Party since taking over its leadership in 2015.”
              https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/opinion/corbyn-berger-anti-semitism.html

              • KJT …
                25 April 2019 at 8:54 am

                ’d think Corbyn saying “Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslim friends are for those various self-styled Islamic states”.

                Entirely accurate and hardly anti -Semitic.

                Unless you consider the fallacy that the murdering Israeli State is, for some magical reason, morally superior to the murdering ISIS.

                • Shadrach …
                  25 April 2019 at 7:23 pm

                  Israel is morally superior to ISIS. ISIS are terrorists. Not every Israeli is. But you are anti-semitic, so you will struggle with that.

                  • KJT …
                    26 April 2019 at 9:55 am

                    My babykillers are better than your babykillers. Right?

                    • Shadrach …
                      26 April 2019 at 10:35 am

                      1. Israel are at war. Babies get killed in wars. If Israel’s enemies stopped the terrorism, babies would stop dieing.
                      2. ISIS is not a legitimate state. It is a group of murderers. Israel is a legitimate state with international recognition. Suck it up.

                    • KJT …
                      26 April 2019 at 1:17 pm

                      Gaza is not at war with Israel.

              • lurgee …
                25 April 2019 at 6:39 pm

                Still, I’d think Corbyn saying “Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslim friends are for those various self-styled Islamic states or organisations” (which he later had to deny compared Israel to ISIS) wasn’t helpful.

                Ah, so you DO know what he said. I was rather hoping you'd mix him up with the luckless Marc Wadsworth.

                What Corbyn said was totally innocuous. It was, of course, twisted by his critics enemies and the media. Only an idiot would read "self-styled Islamic states" and genuinely think it was reference to ISIS.

                Corbyn's inability to get a fair hearing from the media and the Nic Cohens of this world has been demonstrated a million times. As Blip said, he just doesn't bother any more, finding new ways to reach people who might actually be receptive.

                • Shadrach …
                  25 April 2019 at 7:24 pm

                  Corbyn had to clarify his comments because they were so 'clumsy'. There, I gave him the benefit of a massive doubt.

          • UncookedSelachimorpha 5.1.1.1.4
            25 April 2019 at 10:54 am

            Try googling “the sun newspaper jeremy corbyn”
            Every headline is extreme anti-Corbyn, and a very diverse range of topics, not just anti-semitism. Some laughably ridiculous – such as mocking him for getting a dog’s walking lead tangled.
            Doesn’t look like a balanced source of facts to me – more like trashy and sensationalist nonsense, with an extreme conservative bent.

          • lurgee 5.1.1.1.5
            25 April 2019 at 4:41 pm

            Is that all you think he did or said?

            (Shadrach)

            What anti-Semitic remarks did he make at the launch of the Chakrabarti Report?

            Enlighten us.

            And please don't quote The Sun.

            • Shadrach 5.1.1.1.5.1
              25 April 2019 at 7:27 pm

              At the beginning of launch of the report? So are you saying anti-Semitism at other times is ok?

            • Shadrach 5.1.1.1.5.2
              25 April 2019 at 7:40 pm

              https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/08/21/labours-new-anti-semitism-has-disturbingly-old-roots/

              "The crank-left’s indulgence of anti-Semitism is a fine example of the dimwitted left-wing equivalent of Alex Jones ranting about “sheeple” and the “new world order” on Infowars.

              Yet Corbyn also emerged from a political climate in which other forms of casual anti-Semitism were routinely tolerated. Large parts of the far-left in Britain have long tolerated anti-Semitic tropes and foaming vitriol under the guise of anti-Zionism.

              A few left-wing groups have been warning about this for years, but most of the movement turned a blind eye to anti-Semitism among comrades from the developing world because—in a demonstration of the racism of low expectations—they were said not to know any better. That’s why Corbyn was comfortable taking tea on the House of Commons terrace with Raed Salah, a convicted anti-Semite, or attending Hezbollah’s Quds Day rally in London. Corbyn also for many years chaired the Stop the War Coalition, an organization that has marched around London with signs reading, “We are all Hezbollah now.”"

              Corbyn associates with anti-Semites. Corbyn is the leader of Party with a toxic anti-Semitic culture. Corbyn has himself had to explain or apologise for anti-Semitic remarks. If it quacks like a duck…

      • ankerawshark 5.1.2
        24 April 2019 at 5:52 pm

        Not worth responding to Shdrach. Inaccurate. You are part of the smear/meme.

        • Shadrach 5.1.2.1
          24 April 2019 at 6:10 pm

          Ho is quoting his own colleagues ‘inaccurate?

          • Stuart Munro. 5.1.2.1.1
            24 April 2019 at 6:42 pm

            If you want to understand the issue, Al Jazeera did a four part doco on how Israel infiltrated UK parties. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCOhdgRBoc
            Pretending that the accusations of Corbyn were casual or fact based won’t get you much sympathy from those who’ve seen what they got up to.

            • Shadrach 5.1.2.1.1.1
              24 April 2019 at 6:55 pm

              The accusations were from within his own party. Believe tin foil hat conspiracies if you like, but there is at least strong circumstantial evidence that Corbyn, and Labour UK generally, have a huge problem.

              “Jeremy Corbyn sings Communist anthem with activists who shared shocking anti-Semitic posts about the ‘ugly Israeli species'”
              https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4253926/Jeremy-Corbyn-NEW-anti-Semitism-row.html

              Read that article, Stuart, and explain how Israel infiltrated the Daily Mail.

              Or the Guardian?
              https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/28/antisemitism-open-your-eyes-jeremy-corbyn-labour

              Or the BBC?
              https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-43523445

              Corbyn is a man who called the IRA and Hamas his friends. He’s dodgy.

              • Stuart Munro. …
                24 April 2019 at 7:03 pm

                OK, so you haven’t seen the doco.
                Which explains why you come across as a malicious ignorant troll.
                We really don’t need the speculations of the Daily Mail or the Sun thanks all the same.
                They’ve never been much cop, nor missed a chance to have a crack at Corbyn – like yourself, the truth is no priority for them.

                • Shadrach …
                  24 April 2019 at 8:26 pm

                  I’ve seen it. But if you think that kind of analysis can explain away the now numerous complaints about Corbyn, I can’t help you.

                  • Stuart Munro. …
                    24 April 2019 at 8:35 pm

                    Analysis? So you’re lying about having seen it too 😀 They filmed an Israeli intelligence op – caught them cold just like they did Pauline Hanson. There is no credibility whatsoever to assertions of antisemitism on the part of Corbyn.
                    Except in the minds of pathological lying trolls.

                    • Shadrach …
                      24 April 2019 at 9:12 pm

                      I was referring toy YOUR analysis.
                      “There is no credibility whatsoever to assertions of antisemitism on the part of Corbyn. ”
                      The Al Jazeera piece is about infiltration of the UK Labour party. It neither confirms nor denies Corbyn’s anti-Semitism. The fact is he has aligned himself with some very dangerous company, he has made some serious mistakes (and had to apologise), and you seem to be of the view that vast elements of the British media have been infiltrated by Israeli agents.

                    • Stuart Munro. …
                      24 April 2019 at 9:33 pm

                      @Shadrach

                      It’s really graceless to just attack when you’re shown up as being ignorant as usual.

                      ” you seem to be of the view that vast elements of the British media have been infiltrated by Israeli agents”

                      Not really – but clearly many of them, like you, have been duped by that campaign. You and they are pushovers of course – you want to believe ill of Corbyn, which leaves you wide open to such approaches.

                    • Shadrach …
                      24 April 2019 at 10:38 pm

                      “It’s really graceless to just attack when you’re shown up as being ignorant as usual.”
                      I didn’t attack anyone.
                      “Not really – but clearly many of them, like you, have been duped by that campaign.”
                      Rubbish. I’m not certain Corbyn is anti-Semitic…I’ve never met the man. But he has allowed a toxic anti-Semitic culture to develop within the Labour Party under his watch over the past 4 years, and he faces a number of his own party who put that title firmly at his own feet. These sources, and Corbyn’s own words, actions and associations are more plausible that your conspiracy theories.

                    • Stuart Munro. …
                      25 April 2019 at 8:26 am

                      “he has allowed a toxic anti-Semitic culture to develop within the Labour Party”

                      Seems you’re the one with the conspiracy theory, buster.

                      Inconvenient though it may be to your patently false narrative, antisemitism holds little attraction to progressives, though quite a few object to the murder of Palestinians.

                    • Shadrach …
                      25 April 2019 at 7:29 pm

                      Conspiracy theory? It is wording straight out of the Chakrabarti report;

                      "She found that Labour “is not overrun by anti-Semitism” but does suffer from an “occasionally toxic atmosphere” and “too much clear evidence [of] ignorant attitudes.” "

                      https://www.vox.com/world/2018/3/29/17168320/labour-corbyn-anti-semitism-mural

                    • Stuart Munro. …
                      25 April 2019 at 10:12 pm

                      "more plausible that your conspiracy theories"
                      ” is wording straight out of the Chakrabarti report”

                      So, not my conspiracy theories after all, pathetic troll.

                      I don't have any conspiracy theories Shadrach – you brought them to the table, but you don't seem to be able to do anything with them other than whine like an ignored puppy.

                      Bring on Meshach and Abednego – you're done.

              • KJT …
                24 April 2019 at 7:44 pm

                Right wing remnants in UK Labour party accusing Corbyn of everything but murdering his Grandmother. And you believe them?

              • Psycho Milt …
                24 April 2019 at 8:26 pm

                The accusations were from within his own party.

                The OP was too long for you to read then, was it?

                • Shadrach …
                  24 April 2019 at 8:28 pm

                  I was replying to Stuart’s comment.

                  • Psycho Milt …
                    24 April 2019 at 8:36 pm

                    With the point that the accusations were from within his own party, which would carry a lot more weight if most of the OP hadn’t been about Corbyn’s enemies within his own party and their attempts to smear him. Hence my assumption that you couldn’t be arsed reading the OP.

                    • Shadrach …
                      24 April 2019 at 9:06 pm

                      And I also referenced other non-party sources. Which you obviously couldn’t be arsed reading.

                    • Psycho Milt …
                      25 April 2019 at 6:43 am

                      I didn’t bother reading the Daily Mail one, no, because there’s only so much laughable right-wing propaganda masquerading as news I’m willing to have rotting my brain at any one time.

                      Of the other two, they report some trivial dispute over a piece of street art and in one of the them the author actually declares “Corbyn is no anti-semite,” so not exactly an endorsement of your claim.

              • lurgee …
                25 April 2019 at 6:50 pm

                The accusations were from within his own party.

                No-one has ever accused Corbyn of lacking internal enemies. That was one of the points Blip was making. You accept their prattling at face value.

                Why not accept the opinions of Shami Chakrabarti, who (after all) conducted the inquiry into anti-Semitism in Labour?

                Also bear in mind the supposedly anti-Semitic Labour party has:

                – Conducted an inquiry into anti-Semitism;

                – Specifically identifies anti-Semtism as an expellable offense;

                – Has adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.

                All since Corbyn became leader, incidentally.

                Its funny how demented the anti-Semitism thing is making people. Chukka Ummuna pontificated recently that it started back in 2010. You know, the year Labour was choosing between two Jewish brothers as to which one would be leader.

                I think it is pretty clear that anti-Semitism allegations are being used as a weapon against Corbyn. It's one of the few things that makes well meaning, middle-class lefties a bit uncomfortable. No-one wants to be accused of it or linked to someone who is. It is a pretty cynical ploy. Nice to see no-one is falling for it. Oh, wait a minute …

                • Shadrach …
                  25 April 2019 at 7:33 pm

                  "Why not accept the opinions of Shami Chakrabarti, who (after all) conducted the inquiry into anti-Semitism in Labour?"

                  You mean this:

                  "She found that Labour “is not overrun by anti-Semitism” but does suffer from an “occasionally toxic atmosphere” and “too much clear evidence [of] ignorant attitudes.” "

                  https://www.vox.com/world/2018/3/29/17168320/labour-corbyn-anti-semitism-mural

                  And this:

                  "However, Chakrabarti’s recommendations have not been fully implemented — and allegations of anti-Semitism have continued to roil Labour for the past two years. Jack Mendel, a web editor at the UK’s Jewish News, put together a list of about 25 such examples — including Labour members engaging in Holocaust denial and alleging that it’s “superrich families of the Zionist lobby that control the world.”

                  So when Corbyn’s 2012 Facebook post defending the anti-Semitic mural was uncovered at the end of last week, it set off the debate all over again."

                  • lurgee …
                    26 April 2019 at 12:10 am

                    So when Corbyn’s 2012 Facebook post defending the anti-Semitic mural was uncovered at the end of last week, it set off the debate all over again.

                    He didn't defend the mural. You're quoting a misleading source. No wonder your branes are rong.

                  • lurgee …
                    26 April 2019 at 12:31 am

                    You mean this:

                    "She found that Labour “is not overrun by anti-Semitism” but does suffer from an “occasionally toxic atmosphere” and “too much clear evidence [of] ignorant attitudes.” "

                    https://www.vox.com/world/2018/3/29/17168320/labour-corbyn-anti-semitism-mural

                    Nah, I mean like this from Chakrabarti:

                    Asked if she conceded there was a "more serious problem" with anti-Semitism now than in 2016, Baroness Chakrabarti told BBC Radio 4's Today she thought "there was a serious problem at the time".

                    "But what I am glad to say is that I have spent some time in recent days with Jennie Formby and she shares my serious concern."

                    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-43782111

                    • Shadrach …
                      26 April 2019 at 9:14 am

                      So the toxic atmosphere was real then? Thanks for acknowledging that.

                    • Shadrach …
                      26 April 2019 at 9:41 am

                      From 2018 –

                      "But, two years later, Corbyn’s words on the subject have a rote quality and are losing their effect. After his most recent Guardian article was published, critics noticed that passages appeared to have been lifted from his last mea culpa, which was printed in the Evening Standard, in April. Some of the leader’s most willful supporters aren’t listening, either. The day after Corbyn’s latest apology, Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, spoke of the Party’s “eternal shame” for this episode. A left-wing member of the Party’s national-policy forum, George McManus, promptly wrote on Facebook that “Watson received £50,000+ from Jewish donors. At least Judas only got 30 pieces of silver.”

                      Another Facebook post. Another cheap shot at the Jews. It is almost impossible to imagine how an outbreak of anti-Semitism in a diverse, center-left political party could get any worse. It is even harder to see how Corbyn, who seems unable to account for his own role in such an eruption of ill feeling, can put an end to it. When I asked Pollard, the editor of the Jewish Chronicle, whether there was anything that the Labour leader could do or say that would remedy the situation, he thought about it for a moment: “I think the answer to that question now—literally, specifically now—I think the answer is probably nothing.”

                      https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-the-uk/jeremy-corbyns-anti-semitism-crisis

                    • KJT …
                      26 April 2019 at 1:23 pm

                      "Babies get killed in wars". Shadrack cannot see what is wrong with that.

                      Objecting to Israel murdering Palestinians', who are Semites, is hardly 'anti-Semitic. Though the hard liners in Israel, and Shadrack, would love us to think so.

                      So the terrorists in the IDF, can continue, "mowing the lawn".

                      If, as Shadrack says, it is war, then HAMAS and the PLA, were never terrorists. As he says, "They are fighting a war".

                    • lurgee …
                      26 April 2019 at 11:45 pm

                      So the toxic atmosphere was real then? Thanks for acknowledging that.

                      I wasn't aware I had ever denied the existence of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. People like Shami Chakrabarti have spent time looking at it, and said it exists and I'll take their word about it. Just like I'll take her word that the party is trying to address the problem. And her word that it isn't actually rampant.

                      Another Facebook post. Another cheap shot at the Jews. It is almost impossible to imagine how an outbreak of anti-Semitism in a diverse, center-left political party could get any worse. It is even harder to see how Corbyn, who seems unable to account for his own role in such an eruption of ill feeling, can put an end to it. When I asked Pollard, the editor of the Jewish Chronicle, whether there was anything that the Labour leader could do or say that would remedy the situation, he thought about it for a moment: “I think the answer to that question now—literally, specifically now—I think the answer is probably nothing.”

                      Tom Pollard is a swivel eyed loon, quite deranged by Corbyn hate.

                      Sam Knight quotes him extensively throughout that article, starting in the SECOND PARAGRAPH and ends the piece with a further quote from Pollard (the one you used above). At no point does he acknowledge that Pollard, just might, be pushing his own anti-Corbyn agenda here. If you ask Google to search on 'Pollard Corbyn' we find Pollard attacking Corbyn on topics as diverse as anti-Semitism, on Brexit. His words are frequently to be found in the pages of the formerly NAZI supporting Daily Mail, the Express and The Sun – all very rightwing tabloid trash fests.

                      Back to Knight. He references Naz Shah's suspension while neglecting to mention the person who originated the image she retweeted was Norman Finkelstein, the Jewish academic. He also witters about Ruth Smeeth at the Chakrabarti report launch, failing to mention that she WAS passing on a document to a Telegraph journalist and that Marc Wadsworth had no idea she was Jewish. He reminds us about the 2010 Holocaust Day event Corbyn hosted at parliament where the behaviour of the Israeli government was compared to the NAZIs. S hocking. Only, the person doing the comparing WAS A JEWISH HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR. Knight 'forgets'' to mention that pertinent fact.

                      I don't understand why you think quoting biased media pieces will prove any sort of point.

      • adam 5.1.3
        25 April 2019 at 7:02 pm

        Shadrach the Dupe, would be a better name for you.

        I see others ripped your far right smear for what it was, a smear.

        God bless Jackie Walker

        • Shadrach 5.1.3.1
          25 April 2019 at 7:30 pm

          'Far right smear'? The comments I have quoted include sources from within the British Labour Party!

          • adam 5.1.3.1.1
            26 April 2019 at 2:03 am

            You are so funny, it's hard to work out if your seriously stupid or just have no idea?

            • Shadrach 5.1.3.1.1.1
              26 April 2019 at 9:12 am

              Are you seriously suggesting everyone who calls Corbyn out on this is part of a 'far right smear'?

      • Nick J 5.1.4
        26 April 2019 at 1:55 pm

        By anti Semite do you mean anti Jewish or anti Isreal / Zionist?

        Corbyn is anti Zionist for sure, as am I, as are some Jewish buddies of mine.

        • Shadrach 5.1.4.1
          26 April 2019 at 4:02 pm

          Interesting that you combine Israel/Zionist in one grouping. There are many 'Israeli's who are not Zionists.

          Zionism is simply the nationalist movement that supports the reestablishment of a Jewish homeland in the historic land of Palestine. At that level I support Zionism, as does the government of virtually every nation on earth.

          When I talk about someone being anti-semitic, I refer to a "hostility to, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews". That can take various forms, including the hostility that is typical across the left wing of politics towards the nation of Israel generally. Objective criticism of Israel's actions is not anti-Semitism per se. However if it is based on an irrational hatred of the nation, and a denial of it's right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people, then I would argue that anti-Semitism is bubbling below that surface.

  6. Bearded Git 6
    24 April 2019 at 3:26 pm

    cheers Blip….a reminder of what a hero Corbyn is……I like the fact that he is talking about staying in his house when he (inevitably) becomes PM.

    ooooooh Jeremy Coooorbyn!

  7. Anne 7
    24 April 2019 at 4:18 pm

    You've been sorely missed Blip. Thanks for the uplifting post.

    The Blairites placed blame for Jeremy Corbyn’s victory on the membership. In typical Blairite fashion, the members were scolded for making such a ridiculous mistake…, the Blairites managed to secure a second Leadership election. This time, the membership was told, get it right, don’t vote for Jeremy Corbyn, or Labour would never win Government. Bad move, that imperious treatment of the members.

    Oh dear, I am reminded of a similar situation in the NZ Labour Party. There are some former MPs (at the least) who are still blaming the membership for the parliamentary wing's "internecine leadership battles" during the mid-years of this decade. Imperious treatment indeed.

    As far as Theresa May is concerned, I suspect she's thoroughly cooked her goose by inviting Donald J Trump to Britain on a "state visit". That'll go down well among the majority of British voters I'm sure.

  8. joe90 8
    24 April 2019 at 4:44 pm

    May’s been kicking the Brexit can down the road for close to two years and suddenly, after a ten day taxpayer funded wander around the Welsh hills, the woman experiences an epiphany – blame someone, anyone, but herself.

  9. Nic the NZer 9
    24 April 2019 at 5:55 pm

    While this post is strong on rhetoric and flair, its not as simple as that. Blaming David Cameron for allowing a referendum doesn’t accord with its result. There is also the question of what is going on with Scotland, Scotish Labour and EU membership.

    • Pat 9.1
      24 April 2019 at 7:12 pm

      And whos to say that another referendum would produce a different result….what then?
      https://www.wired.co.uk/article/brexit-second-referendum-odds

      • Nic the NZer 9.1.1
        24 April 2019 at 7:33 pm

        It should be made binding if its going to be done. But given the mainstream bias for remain it smacks of polling till you get the desired outcome.
        I guess that is marginally better than ignoring the outcome (which happened to other countries joining the EU).
        Anyway, it doesn’t change the fact that the referendum produced an unexpected answer, so was a question worth asking.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 9.2
      25 April 2019 at 11:05 am

      “Blaming David Cameron for allowing a referendum doesn’t accord with its result.”
      If you were to count the number of lies told by ‘leave’ vs ‘remain’ – leave would be ahead by a country mile. So the Tory’s initiation of the referendum was not the only thing done – a lot more evil was commited after.

      • Nic the NZer 9.2.1
        25 April 2019 at 5:01 pm

        So we (or the UK at least) should have no referendums? Just BTW, virtually every issue in politics is decided by a narrative. There are simply no objective positions to be had in politics.

  10. Ad 10
    24 April 2019 at 7:13 pm

    If Mr Corbyn as leader of Labour has not had the skill to collectively marshall massive dissatisfaction with government in the public, the massive scorn of government from the media, and the massive institutional and business support for remain, into a comprehensive nationwide campaign that splinters and then obliterates the Conservative Party, then he needs to find another job.

    The United Kingdom is about to balkanize into England, Albania and Macedonia. It’s far and away the biggest crisis it’s had to its’ fate since World War Two. May is the Walking Undead, but Corbyn has simply not had it in him.

    • Psycho Milt 10.1
      24 April 2019 at 8:32 pm

      His own enthusiasm for Brexit has tied his hands behind his back. How can you exploit the Tories’ clusterfuck if your pitch is “A Labour government would fiddle around the edges of the clusterfuck to make it slightly less of one?” Who’s going to flock to that banner?

      • Ad 10.1.1
        24 April 2019 at 9:56 pm

        Well indeed. Corbyn’s own inability to shift have constrained him. Again, that’s his failing and no one else’s.

        No one other than the membership are flocking to Corbyn’s flag.

      • swordfish 10.1.2
        24 April 2019 at 10:43 pm

        Just bear in mind that more than a third of Labour supporters voted Leave.

        35% = according to YouGov
        37% = according to Lord Ashcroft

        So the Party needs to maintain a broad electoral coalition if it wants to win government.

        Moreover, there’s a convincing argument that its path to Downing Street goes through the Leave-voting Conservative marginals,

        Almost 80% of UK Labour’s 45 target seats in England and Wales (all currently Tory-held) voted Leave. So, the handful of Remain-voting Tory seats which Labour must win are vastly outnumbered by Leave-voting constituencies

        The intensity of Leave support also tends to be stronger – 13 Tory-held Labour targets recorded Leave votes of more than 60%. In contrast, only 3 target seats saw fewer than 40% back Leave.

    • Pierre 10.2
      24 April 2019 at 9:29 pm

      These arguments – ‘Corbyn has not had the skill… he doesn’t have it in him’ – firstly these do not address the fact that the Labour Party is a mass democratic organisation. Corbyn’s personal traits are important, but more importantly he expresses the will of the membership. His agnostic position on the EU is evidence of that. Yes, I’m sure there is ‘massive business support for remaining in the EU,’ but the Party of Labour should not be subject to the whims of the large monopolies or the men of business. If Labour is not sufficiently enthusiastic about the European Union, it’s a political decision, not a question of personality.

      To be more direct, I think all this shrill concern over Corbyn’s ‘competence’ in fact belies the true problem, which is that you are an opponent of Labour’s socialist politics. There are legitimate criticisms of the socialist project; there are books, journals, conferences, all dedicated to explaining and debating the recent changes in Labour. If you disagree with the politics, you’re free to say so openly.

      Corbyn will not play the role of a neoliberal bureaucrat, and the Labour Party is not (currently) a centrist party.

      If you want a right-wing/pro-EU party, this ain’t it.

      • UncookedSelachimorpha 10.2.1
        24 April 2019 at 9:42 pm

        Well said!
        If we are lucky, socialist Labour UK might teach NZ that there is an alternative.

      • Ad 10.2.2
        24 April 2019 at 9:52 pm

        Corbyn is the leader. He is accountable. He wanted the job, and is paid for it. No one else is responsible.
        His task is of course not merely to express the will of his membership: it is to persuade the United Kingdom’s citizens to the cause of Labour and to persuade them that he should be their leader.

        He hasn’t.

        It would be great if U.K. politics is about whether some version of socialist policies should be enacted.

        It isn’t. Brexit is the only policy that matters. He has failed to lead through Brexit, as catastrophically for the left as May has failed for the government.

        If Labour will rise with a leader, Corbyn ain’t it.

  11. Andre 11
    24 April 2019 at 7:36 pm

    Response to Pierre at 3.2
    That poll -of-polls looks to me like Corbyn’s been slow-walking the Labour Party down the toilet since the 2017 election. All that’s happened recently is May’s done a “hold my sherry” and done a running dive past them headfirst down the shitter. Hardly a basis for celebration or confidence in the outcome of the next election three years away, let alone making out that Corbyn’s the Messiah.
    For some reason the new comment editor isn’t letting me enter text in the comment box on a reply. Seems OK for straight comments though.

    • Pierre 11.1
      24 April 2019 at 8:32 pm

      Political positions are determined by more than just tacking to whatever the marketing department says will push the poll numbers up a few points. The recent dip in the polls was caused by the splitting off of the right-wing elements of the parliamentary party, those elements have no organic no connection to the people, no membership base. ChUK might knock a few chunks out of Labour’s vote, but that’s a purely electoral calculation, it has little bearing on the actual balance of forces.

      It is clear from the experience of Labour’s fraternal parties in Europe that there is no future for right-wing social democracy in the present conditions of secular (capitalist) crisis. Remember how bad things were under Blair, and Brown? When the Labour Party repeatedly refused to support the labour movement during industrial disputes, made alliances with oligarchs, disenfranchised the membership, trashed civil liberties, demonised benefits claimants and immigrants, entrenched neoliberal reforms, and actively pursued imperialist aggression as a foreign policy. Perhaps this is a little harsh, but you have to understand that Labour will not become more ‘electable’ by repeating the tragic errors and mistakes of the past. The only way forwards is with a moderate and robust left-wing programme under a socialist leadership.

      Of course it’s necessary to be realistic about Labour’s electoral prospects, but we also need to be wary of underestimating the capacities of popular struggle. If you understand that parliamentary socialism is only a tactic, it might be useful to point out that the 2017 general election was preceded by a wave of industrial action around the country. I saw it first-hand on the picket lines, as trucks drove past they honked their horns and waved in support. The Labour Party was there, and the workers returned their support at the ballot box. That’s what you’re missing if the only thing you judge are the polling figures.

      • Ad 11.1.1
        24 April 2019 at 10:01 pm

        We only have to be “realistic about Labour’s prospects” under Corbyn.
        His is the only left party with a sliver of hope of surviving let alone gaining power across most of Europe. And yet even in such a crisis he fails to get them up in the polls.
        The whole of Europe is turning hard-right. Corbyn must change course to shift public opinion to unify the country, rather than defend fruitless principle in the hope that somehow May will fall and call a snap election.
        It’s great that Labour candidates were at the picket lines in 2017.
        What beautiful losers they were.

  12. Incognito 12
    24 April 2019 at 9:14 pm

    It took a while but it finally dawned on me what the capital S stands for in the image.

    I thoroughly enjoyed your writing style; the message and contents were a bonus.

  13. gsays 13
    24 April 2019 at 11:01 pm

    Thanks blip, well written and a refreshing to hear a positive view of a socialist leader here on the standard.

    FWIW, I think Cornyn doing seemingly very little, while the Tories implode over Brexit, is wise politics.

  14. KJT 14
    25 April 2019 at 8:58 am

    Opponents of Corbyn cannot attack his “socialist” policies, because that will backfire.
    Not only is there overwhelming evidence of the success of the same policies, right next door. There is also overwhelming public support for Corbyn type policies.

    Just like the opponents of single payer in the USA, any serious discussion of policy exposed the fallacy of the right wing position.

    Leaving opponents no option but to “play the man, not the ball”.
    Just like the endless crap from the right wing in Labour here, attacking anyone who looks like affecting their comfortable gravy train.

  15. Peter Bradley 15
    25 April 2019 at 9:24 am

    Corbyn – the last hero of the left in the UK – let us temper hope with caution because the conservatives have held onto power in the UK for … over 10 years. And that’s because the working and middle class in the UK generally do what they are told by politicians who went to a Eton or Oxford University.
    Over the course of the last decade the Conservative government has cut services, frozen pubic sector wages, stripped funding from council services and continued to privatize and sell public assets. At the same time they have continued to lower the corporate tax rate. And as a result – they’ve been repeatedly re-elected and remain in government today.
    As the quality of life has deteriorated for the UK’s poor and uneducated over the last 10 years – they were then persuaded by a truly frightening media lead by a bunch of Toffs (who want to protect daddy’s estate from EU tax directives) that it was all because of the low paid and exploited immigrant workers being drawn into the UK economy by business hungry for low cost, reliable labor.
    And they fell for it – like fish being shot in a barrel. The UK poor rolled over like a puppy wanting it’s tummy scratched as though Corbyn didn’t exist – as though class consciousness was just a figment of Marx’s imagination and it must be caused by the influx of Polish factory workers on minimum wage. Yeah right as they like to say in NZ.
    The simple fact is that all the Tories need to do to win an election is say that everything is the fault of foreigners. That’s it – they’ll win a landslide even as they close hospitals, schools and strip welfare from low income workers and the disabled.
    Brexit is the clear proof of this – an embarrassing middle England moment where the things that really matter and affect ordinary peoples lives – health, education and work – are ignored for 3 years while middle-aged and old white people “regain their sovereignty”.
    Trust me, what ever the polls say at the moment convincing the UK to elect someone who isn’t a racist Toff as their PM is not going to be easy.

  16. Wayne 16
    25 April 2019 at 2:35 pm

    The next UK election is likely to be close. Most probably between Johnson and Corbyn. Both flawed characters in their own particular ways.

    The outcome will be dependent on who offers the most appealing vision. Not a slam dunk for Labour, though it should be. It won’t be just the vision that will determine the outcome, it will also depend on whether middle voters see Corbyn as too big a risk, not just for the country, but for them personally. Will their jobs be safe? Will taxes be too high?

    Obviously I am not impressed with Blip’s analysis. His so called list of “lies” showed no ability to look at anything except in the most partisan way.

    Labour should easily win, and with a less extreme leader would do so. However the left mass leadership wanted someone as left as possible. In the same way as the left in NZ saw Cunliffe as the answer. Which led to the worst Labour result ever.

    Obviously the Conservatives are much more of a spent force than National was in 2014. So Corbyn will do better than Cunliffe, but he is not the automatic winner that he should be.

    • Incognito 16.1
      25 April 2019 at 2:53 pm

      Was David Cunliffe an “extreme leader” in your opinion, Wayne? If so, how so?

      • Wayne 16.1.1
        25 April 2019 at 4:35 pm

        In fact Cunliffe probably wasn't very extreme. But he conveyed a "eat the rich" style in his campaigning that caused alarm in many people (not just traditional conservatives, but also middle voters). Could he be trusted to be fair and reasonable?

        A very big contrast to the current PM who goes out of her way to reassure people that she is a safe and reasonable choice. And she has demonstrated on multiple times that she is. Enough reform to encourage people, but not so much as to cause people to feel unsafe.

        • Incognito 16.1.1.1
          25 April 2019 at 5:11 pm

          So, would you agree that Corbyn being an “extreme leader” is possibly also based more on perception than reality? What Cunliffe said, what he “conveyed”, and how he was perceived, are/were three different things. Perceptions are created by multiple factors and MSM play a very important part when it comes to public perception of politicians helped (or not) by press secretaries and communication advisors and the likes. In other words, labels such as “extreme” are simplistic and context-dependent.

          • Wayne 16.1.1.1.1
            25 April 2019 at 8:43 pm

            I have no doubt that Corbyn is extreme. Everything in his political background and all his major statements indicate that. And I have read a lot of it.

            That was not true of Cunliffe. In fact as a minister he seemed the embodiment of the modern technocrat. But as leader he adopted a “eat the rich” style. It was both off-putting and inauthentic. Which is what made him potentially unpredictable and therefore unelectable.

            In contrast what Corbyn says is what you will get. The result, a greatly diminished Great Britain. Poorer and less relevant.

            • Incognito 16.1.1.1.1.1
              25 April 2019 at 10:54 pm

              Yes, authenticity is essential for (potential) leaders.

              Corbyn is authentic but you regard him as “extreme” because of your projections rather than expectations. You know that once in power, which is highly regulated and curtailed, things are never as ‘extreme’ as they were promised.

              Not everybody in the UK shares your opinion of Corbyn. In any case, with the current lot they are well and truly on the way of becoming “a greatly diminished Great Britain. Poorer and less relevant.” Quite sad, really.

              • Wayne …
                26 April 2019 at 6:48 am

                Clearly not everyone in the UK has my view of Corbyn. Ne has become the leader of a major party after all.

                You are probably right about the moderating institutional effect of being a Prime Minister or Minister in a modern democracy. Even so, a determined leader can change a great deal of things.

                • left_forward …
                  26 April 2019 at 8:49 am

                  I agree with Incognito Wayne – your view that Corbyn is 'extreme' is in itself extreme – it is subjectively based on your own projection. I suggest that for you it is extreme because you want the 1%ers to continue to undemocratically continue to hold control over the whole – aka the dominant neo-liberalist dogma. When someone of influence and intelligence like Corbyn, who propounds an alternative, more caring economy, your fear projects a shadow, which you conveniently label as 'extreme', merely because it is against your support of rich pricks maintaining their power over the rest..

                  • Wayne …
                    26 April 2019 at 10:00 am

                    By any standard Corbyn is very left. By far and away he is the most left wing leader Labour has ever had.

                    Not just my own views, but the views of millions of UK voters. Though to be fair they might be a minority at the next general election. Corbyn could win.

                    In some respects I hope he does. If he is the disaster that I imagine he will be, he will stand as the exemplar of the danger of going too far left.

                    Of course if he is the success that the left hope that he will be, he will be the beacon.

                    • KJT …
                      26 April 2019 at 5:22 pm

                      "Far left".

                      Further left than UK Labour after WW2?
                      Rubbish.

                      Of course the right wing will do everything possible, including sabotaging the economy, to ensure they can continue to steal most or the wealth.

                      That makes Muldoon or Holyoake extremely far left.

                      You almost have to laugh!

                    • Incognito …
                      26 April 2019 at 9:32 pm

                      I think you are overestimating the power of a leader. A leader leads but they are by no means omnipotent dictators. They’ll need the support of their team, first and foremost, and their coalition partners, if any. UK politics clearly cannot be viewed in isolation. If other European countries were also to move left then this could synergise with anything that Corbyn may wish to achieve in the UK. I cannot see that happen any time soon, can you?

    • Anne 16.2
      25 April 2019 at 3:28 pm

      Come on Wayne. Cunliffe was the victim of a disgusting smear campaign by certain elements within the MSM – some of whom were living in John Key's pocket. I don't need to spell out the way it was accomplished because it's long since been documented. Lets just cite as an example… "Donghua Liu".

      Cunliffe certainly had his faults but, imo, they were also overstated by elements inside the parliamentary Labour team of the day who opposed his more left leaning tendencies.

  17. greywarshark 17
    25 April 2019 at 2:53 pm

    I think there needs to be –

    1 Another referendum – leave or stay, and

    2 It must be made binding by an 80/20 decision. This is such a basic matter that there can be no casual acceptance of long-time muddling through on simple majorities (I spit on simple majorities, they should never be less than 60/40).

    The Swedish rep at the UN thinks lowly of Farage.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov7_hZOsgVA

  18. CHCoff 18
    25 April 2019 at 5:02 pm

    <1% owns >50%

    To my knowledge Uk is not a oil rich cash machine , or anything of that singular naturalistic type as a whole. It's societal topographical state, is characteristic of one who's natural sustainable advantage & distinction would come from the more extreme ranges of societal co-operative culture and homogenisation.

    Contradictory muddle.

    alas the mirages of golden goose horizons elsewhere seem alot easier.

  19. Sanctuary 19
    26 April 2019 at 10:31 am

    The central facet of Corbynism is it represents the first explicit ideological revolt against the right wing neoliberal consensus by a mainstream political party in four decades.

    Therefore Corbyn represents an existential threat to everyone who has been the winners from neoliberalism in the political elites, globalist liberal establishment and managerial middle classes in a way that, say, Nigel Farage does not since he threatens the economic security of those classes by redistributing wealth away from them.

    This unapproved by the elites pretension to re-setting the Overton window, re-introducing Socialism into the debate and re-distributing wealth is why he is so viscerally hated by the nominally "left wing" Oxbridge liberals of the London opinionistas – they regard it as their right and sole privilege to police the scope of left wing debate and they hate Corbyn for threatening their status and even more seriously, threatening their cosy relationship with neoliberalism where they as a class provide the bulk of the vast tier of white collar enablers who actually enact and enforce the neoliberal consensus.

    This is the real reason the liberal London elites who colonise the establishment MSM find common cause with the crypto-Fascist Murdoch media to attack Corbyn. He is as big a threat to them as he is to the right.

  20. Jenny - How to get there? 20
    4 May 2019 at 12:24 am

    The Blairites placed blame for Jeremy Corbyn’s victory on the membership. In typical Blairite fashion, the members were scolded for making such a ridiculous mistake. Then, through sheer petulance and devious Party machinations, the Blairites managed to secure a second Leadership election. This time, the membership was told, get it right, don’t vote for Jeremy Corbyn, or Labour would never win Government….."

    BLIP

    Blip's quote brings to mind one of my favourite quotes, reputedly said by Napoleon.

    "There is no such thing as bad soldiers, only bad generals"

    From my time in the union movement, when a union leader got up on the stage and started blaming the membership for a setback, you knew that leader had lost their way.

    The interaction between the leadership and membership is a subtle one. When they are in tune they act to strengthen and reinforce each other. Building a confidence and optimism that makes achieving miracles possible, . (And I don't just mean winning elections, but delivering the real change the people need and want and that the times demand),

    Good on Jeremy Corbyn for putting his faith in the grass roots membership, encouraging them to find their strength and renewed confidence. I wish them all well.

    .

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