Probably touching a few nerves here but I watched Blair’s interview on breakfast TV a couple of days ago and he just makes the current crop – all parties included, look like schoolkids squabbling in a playground waiting for the headmaster to show up
This guy who danced like a puppet when Bush pulled the strings, pushed me (a lot) nearer to resigning from the party, than at any other time during my membership, that is now in its fifth decade. I was inches away from saying "Shove it Tony!" But I resisted, and am still a member today, however...…………..
The current leader, and his predecessor, don't / didn't fill me full of confidence, but at least they don't have blood on their hands.
We have another four years of this government, and to be honest, I'm not that confident, we'll get any nearer then!
Spelly.
I agree with the point made though, when you look at Tony Blair and, even John Major, they are streets ahead of the calibre of politicians we are having to deal with now. This has got to be the worst it's ever been, surely?
It saddens me to think that after the great political leaders the UK has produced over the years, in December we were left with a choice between Johnson and Corbyn.
I am pleased that Keir Starmer has managed (on the surface) to bring the Labour Party back from the oblivion that we were heading for under Corbyn and his acolytes. I just hope that the Momentum Group - a party within a party - drift back from whence they came and re-form as the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party or similar, picking up about 100 votes or less at elections.
Hopefully before the next election , the Labour Party will have got its act together and produce policies that will convince old Labour voters and new voters that they are electable. They certainly were not under Corbyn.
It saddens me to think that after the great political leaders the UK has produced over the years, in December we were left with a choice between Johnson and Corbyn. I am pleased that Keir Starmer has managed (on the surface) to bring the Labour Party back from the oblivion that we were heading for under Corbyn and his acolytes. I just hope that the Momentum Group – a party within a party – drift back from whence they came and re-form as the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party or similar, picking up about 100 votes or less at elections. Hopefully before the next election , the Labour Party will have got its act together and produce policies that will convince old Labour voters and new voters that they are electable. They certainly were not under Corbyn.
Yeah mate, but (in my opinion) he is seriously lacking in charisma, which (again in my opinion) is essential in a leader, and prospective PM.
You're right, that the only way we were heading under Corbyn, was not up, but whether Starmer can convince Workington man to put his X against the Labour Party's name in the next election(s) is debatable at best.
The Tories, three and a half years on, still can't get Brexit right, but Corbyn's ambivalence on it in December, lost us votes in my view.
Starmer continues to criticise the government, and Johnson in particular,about the pandemic, but would less people have died under his leadership?
We are supposed to be her Majesty's loyal opposition, but (yet again in my opinion) making a great fist of it, we are not!
Will I renew my membership in January? Of course I will, in the hope that out there, somewhere, is a leader in waiting that the Labour Party can be proud of! But...…..
I turned 72 earlier this week, and I seriously doubt that I'll see another general election won by my party!
Spelly.
Until this week, I had thought that Andy Burnham may well be the next Labour Prime Minister, but his little publicity stunt has spoiled his character for me. Playing Russian roulette with the health of Mancunians just isn’t on in any circumstances - the only reason he can get away with it is because he has a Nightingale Hospital in the middle of his city as a backup! No, I really liked him as a person who I thought was level headed and I would have even voted for him, given the chance and I have been a Tory voter most of my life!
As has been said, we are woefully short of leaders.
Jeremy Corbyn now suspended from the party in the wake of the recent report on anti-Semitism.
How are the mighty fallen!
Spelly.
The media are likening this event to the Neil Kinnock vs Militant moment in the 1980’s. Despite this “success” Labour lost the subsequent election - after being favourites in the polls!
The media are likening this event to the Neil Kinnock vs Militant moment in the 1980’s. Despite this “success” Labour lost the subsequent election – after being favourites in the polls!
I fear that we're heading for a division in the party, similar to the one you mention. We were unelectable then, and we're not a million miles from it happening again.
A leader who appears to have had a charisma by-pass, but we're seriously lacking in personalities at the top.
As I've said before, I seriously doubt that I'll see a(nother) Labour government in my lifetime!
Spelly.
You have hit the nail on the head Spelly.
Labour were ahead of the Tories in the polls last month, but if there’s now a split we can safely assume that “lessons from the past haven’t been learned!
1) You have hit the nail on the head Spelly. 2) Labour were ahead of the Tories in the polls last month, but if there’s now a split we can safely assume that “lessons from the past haven’t been learned!
1) Thank you!
2) Perhaps the word "again" should be inserted between "split" and "we" eh mate?
Spelly.
Just seen a report that says "Labour has a four point lead over the Conservatives."
Whilst I find that pleasing, the simple fact is we're four years away from the next General Election, so how relevant is that Mori Poll?
Changing tack slightly, my girl friend Jan made a startling prediction earlier this week, so let's see if you concur with her, when she (confidently) said...………………...
"By July next year, when Brexit and Covid are sorted, Boris will resign to spend more time with his family, and Rishi will be the PM."
(Dis)agree? Let me know your opinions please, and I'll pass em on to her!
Spelly.
Just seen a report that says “Labour has a four point lead over the Conservatives.” Whilst I find that pleasing, the simple fact is we’re four years away from the next General Election, so how relevant is that Mori Poll? Changing tack slightly, my girl friend Jan made a startling prediction earlier this week, so let’s see if you concur with her, when she (confidently) said…………………… “By July next year, when Brexit and Covid are sorted, Boris will resign to spend more time with his family, and Rishi will be the PM.” (Dis)agree? Let me know your opinions please, and I’ll pass em on to her! Spelly.
I believe that Johnson will be forced out in 2021 and replaced by ??? My guess is that his replacement will not be from the current Cabinet who will all be tainted by the incompetent handling of the pandemic. Gove will no doubt think its his turn, but he is more unpopular than Johnson.
If Starmer can keep the Labour Party together without too much blood letting, they can certainly give the Tories a run for their money in 2024. If Labour descends into savage in-fighting for control of the Party over the next few years, the Conservatives are likely to call an early election to take advantage of that situation.
Jeremy Corbyn now suspended from the party in the wake of the recent report on anti-Semitism. How are the mighty fallen! Spelly.
Apparently he was suspended for still claiming it was all exaggerated after an independent investigation, and that his office interfered in many cases. Deluded clown, who is as arrogant as he is stubborn. Claimed he tried to sort as quickly as possible, but Starmer has done more in 4 months than he did in 4 years. Prob stemmed from the fact that he didn't think there was a problem in the first place!
Problem was that though Corbyn was 'the' leader, by election, he was never 'a'leader at all.
He never supported a party leader in his life.
Policies weren't a problem for me, but he was.
Spelly might remember Frank Cousins, a troublesome Union leader. Wilson gave him a job as Employment Minister. He lasted 6 months and gave up.
Maybe give Corbyn something to do, studying Islamophobia in the Tory party? He should enjoy that, but can he cut it?
At some point Starmer will have to face it out with JC and whoever takes Bobo's place. The troublemakers backing JC don't want to govern imo, they are just troublemakers and have to go.
Problem was that though Corbyn was ‘the’ leader, by election, he was never ‘a’leader at all. He never supported a party leader in his life. Policies weren’t a problem for me, but he was. Spelly might remember Frank Cousins, a troublesome Union leader. Wilson gave him a job as Employment Minister. He lasted 6 months and gave up. Maybe give Corbyn something to do, studying Islamophobia in the Tory party? He should enjoy that, but can he cut it? At some point Starmer will have to face it out with JC and whoever takes Bobo’s place. The troublemakers backing JC don’t want to govern imo, they are just troublemakers and have to go.
Which is why I seriously doubt that Starmer will offer any sort of "job" to his predecessor. Are we heading for one helluva split?
Corbyn is only "suspended" at present, and has not (yet?) been expelled. But if in future, that happens, I can see a goodly few, inc poss my MP, being tempted to leave the party, or at the least "distance" themselves from the mainstream. Militant Tendency II is not out of the question in my opinion!
Am I being over dramatic? I hope so!
Spelly.