Jeremy Corbyn.

[pb21]

He has one of those faces you just want to slap when you see it. Deluded and naive in the extreme.

I find it weird how ‘lefties’ get labelled as loonies, deluded, not having a clue about how the world works, and having a superiority complex by right-wingers.

In reality it’s because lefties have an appreciation of how the world works, and see its faults, that they want to change it.

And it’s no more of a superiority complex to say that, than for right-wingers to say they know how the world works and that lefties are ‘deluded’ for thinking otherwise!

 

[Bladders]

Or, he's just getting on with commitments he'd already made as a Labour MP, carrying on no differently than he would of had he lost. In fact, he seems to be ignoring most of the basic principles of modern day political PR.

That must be it then...

 

[BLOCK F]

I find it weird how ‘lefties’ get labelled as loonies, deluded, not having a clue about how the world works, and having a superiority complex by right-wingers.

In reality it’s because lefties have an appreciation of how the world works, and see its faults, that they want to change it.

And it’s no more of a superiority complex to say that, than for right-wingers to say they know how the world works and that lefties are ‘deluded’ for thinking otherwise!

Fair enough, that is your view.
However, if you really, really believe that Corbyn and his politics are the answer for this country and that the British people will ever elect him as PM, then I am afraid that I would have to mention the ' D ' word.

 

[Hungry Joe]

Fair enough, that is your view.
However, if you really, really believe that Corbyn and his politics are the answer for this country and that the British people will ever elect him as PM, then I am afraid that I would have to mention the ' D ' word.

If you're asking whether Corbyn is the 'answer' for this country then it very much depends on what the actual question is. One thing that I don't think can be disputed is that his election, and the groundswell of support for a Socialist alternative surrounding it, especially from young people, is a direct result of party politics in this country shifting so far to the center and right-of-center ground that a huge swathe of society had been left without a voice. Not any more, and whatever the medium to long term results of Corbyn's election as Labour leader, at least now there is a real debate about exactly what kind of society we want to live in a the very top level again. That can't be anything but good for politics and the country.

 

[Dandyman]

Wow, how pathetic did he look walking down the street ignoring simple questions about lack of women in his shadow cabinet .

What an embarrassment

He has not named the full shadow cabinet yet and already has the same number of women as in the actual cabinet. No end to Tory hypocrisy is there ?

 

[Hastings gull]

If you're asking whether Corbyn is the 'answer' for this country then it very much depends on what the actual question is. One thing that I don't think can be disputed is that his election, and the groundswell of support for a Socialist alternative surrounding it, especially from young people, is a direct result of party politics in this country shifting so far to the center and right-of-center ground that a huge swathe of society had been left without a voice. Not any more, and whatever the medium to long term results of Corbyn's election as Labour leader, at least now there is a real debate about exactly what kind of society we want to live in a the very top level again. That can't be anything but good for politics and the country.

Your final few sentences may be true, and I appreciate that you personally may be energised by his appointment, but whether a huge swathe of society is so pleased, is far less believable.

 

[Hungry Joe]

Your final few sentences may be true, and I appreciate that you personally may be energised by his appointment, but whether a huge swathe of society is so pleased, is far less believable.

I may have slipped into mild hyperbole with 'huge' and 'swathe' as it depends on your definitions, so replace with 'significantly large and growing section...' please.

 

[Surf's Up]

If you're asking whether Corbyn is the 'answer' for this country then it very much depends on what the actual question is. One thing that I don't think can be disputed is that his election, and the groundswell of support for a Socialist alternative surrounding it, especially from young people, is a direct result of party politics in this country shifting so far to the center and right-of-center ground that a huge swathe of society had been left without a voice. Not any more, and whatever the medium to long term results of Corbyn's election as Labour leader, at least now there is a real debate about exactly what kind of society we want to live in a the very top level again. That can't be anything but good for politics and the country.

Difficult to disagree with this. The sysyem is broken and it badly needed a catalyst like this to at least prompt the possibility of change. The problem is that the Tory's are likely to get stronger, at least in the short to medium term, and by then it could all be too late for any change to be anything other than superficial. Its all very well comparing what is happening here to the political movements in Greece and Spain but the situation here is completely different to those two countries and the Tory's have their fingers on the prosperity button.

 

[Hungry Joe]

Difficult to disagree with this. The sysyem is broken and it badly needed a catalyst like this to at least prompt the possibility of change. The problem is that the Tory's are likely to get stronger, at least in the short to medium term, and by then it could all be too late for any change to be anything other than superficial. Its all very well comparing what is happening here to the political movements in Greece and Spain but the situation here is completely different to those two countries and the Tory's have their fingers on the prosperity button.

I agree to an extent, but I think real change is perhaps more possible than that. It is true that with a stable and relatively strong economy, combined with the British 'reserve' character, the Conservatives have far more room to get away with increasing wealth at the top whilst placing more and more of the vulnerable into relative poverty without resultant riots or mass demos occurring. On the other hand, the fall out from the current situation I believe will lead many in the Labour movement to realise that they must offer a credible alternative if they are to have a chance of success in the next twenty years, and that alternative is a left of center one that balances the need for a fairer society with standing up to scrutiny on its economic plans. The Conservatives and New Labour have for too long got away with wearing the Emperor's New Clothes when it comes to conning the electorate that credible economic policy being based on anything other than bending over to big business and taking it for the team is a pipe dream.

 

[beorhthelm]

If you're asking whether Corbyn is the 'answer' for this country then it very much depends on what the actual question is. One thing that I don't think can be disputed is that his election, and the groundswell of support for a Socialist alternative surrounding it, especially from young people,...

is this backed by anything, or just a belief that's been perpetuated by those that want it to be true? are there numbers for the demographics of Corbyn voters? the numbers i've seen based on the wider young electorate are certainly in favor of Corbyn, but hardly a groundswell - less than 30%, with the rest either split across the other candidates and about 30% not in favour of any (presumably Tory/UKIP/SNP/Green/MRLP/Liberals). i recall a similar belief surrounding the Scottish independence vote, but in the analysis the under 25s voted broadly in line with the rest of the local populations.

so until there is a wider elecorate given a change to have their say, it can very much be disputed that his election means much about political opinions beyond 450k Labour supporters (<1% of the electorate).

 

[Hungry Joe]

is this backed by anything, or just a belief that's been perpetuated by those that want it to be true? are there numbers for the demographics of Corbyn voters? the numbers i've seen based on the wider young electorate are certainly in favor of Corbyn, but hardly a groundswell - less than 30%, with the rest either split across the other candidates and about 30% not in favour of any (presumably Tory/UKIP/SNP/Green/MRLP/Liberals). i recall a similar belief surrounding the Scottish independence vote, but in the analysis the under 25s voted broadly in line with the rest of the local populations.

so until there is a wider elecorate given a change to have their say, it can very much be disputed that his election means much about political opinions beyond 450k Labour supporters (<1% of the electorate).

I'd argue that just under 30% for a single candidate in a four-horse race is significant, especially for one who's politics are supposed to be of a bygone age. On top of that there certainly seems to be a connecting and engagement in politics by young people in this country that I've not seen since the Thatcher years.

 

[8ace]

I'd argue that just under 30% for a single candidate in a four-horse race is significant, especially for one who's politics are supposed to be of a bygone age. On top of that there certainly seems to be a connecting and engagement in politics by young people in this country that I've not seen since the Thatcher years.

You'd expect 25% if the votes were allocated on a purely random basis.

 

[Buzzer]

He has not named the full shadow cabinet yet and already has the same number of women as in the actual cabinet. No end to Tory hypocrisy is there ?

Strange response. Corbyn specifically announced there would be an equal split of female and male shadow cabinet ministers - most people kind of assumed that at least one of the top positions would go to a woman, even those nasty Tories managed that. I think it's perfectly valid to ask why the leader of the opposition won't discuss his appointments (which was the point you avoided answering). You've got the like of long-standing Labour MPs Diana Johnson and Margaret Curran publicly expressing disappointment at the apparent backtracking so your huff and puff about the Tories being worse doesn't quite answer the question.

It would have been nice for at least one of the Corbynistas to practice what they preach about a new era of honest, principled politics without reference to the current status quo and say "I think he got it wrong here". Maybe Corbyn and his fans aren't so different as they like to make out.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

All these tales of hundreds of thousands flocking to join Labour's ranks, but is this balanced by a chunk of those who voted Labour last time and simply could not bring themselves to vote for Corbyn and his acolytes next time round ?

 

[beorhthelm]

reading through the beebs "24 things Jeremy believes" i find there two sensible policies: more allotments and his views on Europe are an improvement (might draw in some UKIPers?). but theres a lot to be worried about, the printing money, surrender of the Falklands, maximum wage, there's two that stand out as being indicative of someone who doesnt quite think things through

rent control, and right to buy should be extended to private renters. who in the right mind would go in to the rental market, leading to a substantial loss of rental stock? also link rents to local earnings, how exactly would that help in affluent areas where the earnings are high?

Opposed to fracking but coal mines should be reopened. quite apart from ignoring all the green issues (how well does this sit with the Greens supposedly on the same page...? ) doesn't he recognise that fracking is the 21st century equivalent of coal? most of the disadvantages are the same,hell it even affects largely the same areas (focus on Balcombe belies the resources in the north).

the man has never had to justify himself, never had to run anything more than his appointment diary and its shows.

 

[Buzzer]

All these tales of hundreds of thousands flocking to join Labour's ranks, but is this balanced by a chunk of those who voted Labour last time and simply could not bring themselves to vote for Corbyn and his acolytes next time round ?

I suspect it is. Obviously I'm not Corbyn's biggest fan but being as objective as I can then if I were in his team I would embark on a massive campaign of trying to unite all the party from all wings of the party. He's clearly got a big support from the left of his party and from non-Labour left-wingers but that won't be enough to win an election. He's going to need at least the support of centre-leaning Labour supporters or centre-leaning Tories and it's a darn sight easier to win over the existing Labour supporters. The bile and abuse about 'Red Tories' needs to stop and Corbyn needs to set minds at rest about his views on the EU, NATO etc. If he does that then he might be in with a chance, trouble is I really can't see his supporters showing much sign of conciliation.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Strange response. Corbyn specifically announced there would be an equal split of female and male shadow cabinet ministers - most people kind of assumed that at least one of the top positions would go to a woman, even those nasty Tories managed that. I think it's perfectly valid to ask why the leader of the opposition won't discuss his appointments (which was the point you avoided answering). You've got the like of long-standing Labour MPs Diana Johnson and Margaret Curran publicly expressing disappointment at the apparent backtracking so your huff and puff about the Tories being worse doesn't quite answer the question.

It would have been nice for at least one of the Corbynistas to practice what they preach about a new era of honest, principled politics without reference to the current status quo and say "I think he got it wrong here". Maybe Corbyn and his fans aren't so different as they like to make out.

Of the 31 people he's appointed to his shadow cabinet team, 16 are women, 15 are men. Defence, Education, Health, Energy, Transport, Attorney General - all gone to women. Unprecedented number of women appointed to any cabinet or shadow cabinet team.

 

[Buzzer]

Of the 31 people he's appointed to his shadow cabinet team, 16 are women, 15 are men. Defence, Education, Health, Energy, Transport, Attorney General - all gone to women. Unprecedented number of women appointed to any cabinet or shadow cabinet team.

Then why are the likes of Margaret Curran and Diana Johnson so peed off?

*waits for someone to accuse them of being Red Tories*

 

[pb21]

Then why are the likes of Margaret Curran and Diana Johnson so peed off?

*waits for someone to accuse them of being Red Tories*

Possibly because they have they been left out of the shadow cabinet?

Edit: Despite an unprecedented number of women appointed!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Of the 31 people he's appointed to his shadow cabinet team, 16 are women, 15 are men. Defence, Education, Health, Energy, Transport, Attorney General - all gone to women. Unprecedented number of women appointed to any cabinet or shadow cabinet team.

Nice to see he stood by his pre-election promise.