Is the Labour Party in danger of imploding?

[Alfie]

In himself no I agree but his inability to establish a proper opposition to the Tories going forward will be detrimental to the vast majority of workers in this country.

Well yes, that as well obviously.

[Alfie]

So let's imagine that in some  parallel universe Corbyn is elected PM.  How is he going to travel around the country?  Squatting by the toilets on an Inter-city train until he's nationalized the railways and then everyone gets their own seat, or what?  Will this hugely principled and selfless man eschew all the trappings of comfort and protecting enjoyed by a PM so that no one poorer than him goes without, of has to suffer on his account?

[G-Unit]

If Corbyn is a threat only to the Labour PLP or to workers why are the media so intent on discrediting him? No-one seems able to give an explanation for that.

[Alfie]

If Corbyn is a threat only to the Labour PLP or to workers why are the media so intent on discrediting him? No-one seems able to give an explanation for that.

The media spent an awful lot of energy demonizing the BNP and Nick Griffin in particular too but I don't suppose they ever believed he or his party was a serious threat to the status quo.  The media have it in for most politicians one way or another, it will be Theresa May's turn soon no doubt.

[Alice Purjorick]

If Corbyn is a threat only to the Labour PLP or to workers why are the media so intent on discrediting him? No-one seems able to give an explanation for that.

I don't see Mr Corbyn posing much of a threat to anything except the status quo in the Westminster Bubble but there are clearly those who think he does outside that narrow sphere.
Maybe he will ride around the country on a bicycle or walk carrying his own possibles wearing the same clothes as his underlings and believing in the same principles. Don't knock it;  I remember a bloke like that from a while ago. The French and the Yanks remember him too I'll bet. His name was Giap...

[stephen25000]

I don't see Mr Corbyn posing much of a threat to anything except the status quo in the Westminster Bubble but there are clearly those who think he does outside that narrow sphere.
Maybe he will ride around the country on a bicycle or walk carrying his own possibles wearing the same clothes as his underlings and believing in the same principles. Don't knock it;  I remember a bloke like that from a while ago. The French and the Yanks remember him too I'll bet. His name was Giap...

He's no threat Alice.

However, he is frigging useless as a Leader of the Opposition.


Someone is need to oppose the Tories and it isn't him.

[Alice Purjorick]

It has all been seen before ! 

http://www.labour.org.uk/pages/history-of-the-labour-party

[Miss Taken Identity]

The Wilson Government wasn't very people friendly according to my families recollection, low unemloyment- high taxasion for the workers- bad housing,over crowding...nothing has changed, well apart from the low unemployment bit.

[Alfie]

Interesting perspective

https://www.ft.com/content/d192b1b4-458b-11e5-af2f-4d6e0e5eda22

Privatising the railways mostly worked, we just failed to notice.

I certainly remember the days when British Rail was the most reviled of institutions and travel by train meant you'd be guaranteed to arrive late after a smelly uncomfortable journey from a to b. But I'm sure once Jeremy has waved his magic socialist wand and renationalised them that it will mean cheap and reliable train travel for all, delightful news for the 90% of the population who never use trains but who, through an increase in their taxes will have to pay for it.

[G-Unit]

Corbyn has been accused of being out of date, with a political stance which is no longer relevant. What isn't discussed is that neoliberalism, which is what Thatcher and Reagan espoused, is a rehash of 19th Century ideas.

Privatization, fiscal austerity, deregulation, free trade, and reductions in government spending in order to enhance the role of the private sector in the economy have all been seen before.

Thatcher's friend Pinochet was the first to implement it and her guru Milton Friedman's monetarism was part of it. Her hero was Adam Smith, although she may have misunderstood his economic theory - there are those who believe Reagan made that mistake in the US.

Blair was also a neoliberalist, so both parties were following similar economic strategies, with only small differences.

The effects are that the poor get poorer and the rich get richer, as we have seen.

The previous reaction in the end to this type of ideology was the rise of Trades Unions and the Labour Party to protect the workers. In recent years the Labour Party has been unwilling to take on this role, but Corbyn's rise demonstrates the people's desire for someone who will redress the balance.

It's not that the membership have moved to the left, it's that the PLP have moved to the right.

[Alfie]

Bang on the nail Dominic Sandbrook

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3757395/Corbyn-s-Virgin-train-stunt-shows-s-stuck-1970s.html

[G-Unit]

Just another rather shallow 'knocking' piece which is surprising from someone who portrays himself as a serious political historian. I think Corbyn's detractors need to come up with better thought-out articles.

[Alice Purjorick]

Come the general election there will be two main parties to choose from.
If you don't like Corbyn or his policies then don't vote or vote for the other party.

[misty]

Just another rather shallow 'knocking' piece which is surprising from someone who portrays himself as a serious political historian. I think Corbyn's detractors need to come up with better thought-out articles.

I don't think any articles are required to confirm that Labour is in a very bad state if its members believe Corbyn is the best they've got.

[Alfie]

Just another rather shallow 'knocking' piece which is surprising from someone who portrays himself as a serious political historian. I think Corbyn's detractors need to come up with better thought-out articles.

Perhaps you could pick out parts of the article that you felt were incorrect and say why?