Corbyn is a leader..

Brilliant post mate

 

Obviously anything to do with such a turbulent time in our recent history is raw and divisive, particularly something as complex as Ireland. But all I can say is that Corbyn has spent his life advocating peaceful means. From anything I have read on the subject there is no direct evidence of him ever having supported the means of the IRA. It is evidence of him having spoken at events without any idea what he said.

Please don't take this to be any terrorist apology on my part, and I can understand your view. I've just never seen any attributable quote where he has ever advocated anything other than peaceful means.

 

Thankyou for your reasoned response. He attended events that commemorated the IRA 'fallen': men who had been involved in acts of murder, including the deaths of children. Corbyn's acutely uncomfortable reaction to this when questioned speaks volumes. Shame really.

 

We can forget the allegiance to theUS which was damaged under the BREXIT vote and we will become closer to the middle eastern and asian nations. I started posting that i am a labour voted through and through then checked myself. Im not sure they are electable right now and that probably suits the far left who are far more comfortable heckling from the wings and not making national decisions for our country.

We can find the balancing of views between individuals like Corbyn's support of IRA, Blairs Go to War attitude (both Labour remember), but.......

..... can someone tell me bullet by bullet the top 10 policy issues that Labour will win the next election on.

 

Agree with lots of that, Jimmy, a great post. But because of this dismantling of the traditional working class, there isn't the traditional solidarity springing from shared industrial bonds as there once was. Look at this forum, for instance- someone like Corbyn should be wildly popular in Barnsley. Many former miners think he isn't credible. And Corbyn for his part seems to me not to realise this in the way he campaigns and argues beyond his support in the big cities and young activists.

 

For me at this stage , the aim should have been progressively taking the party towards clause 4 as much as could have been possible to win an election- eg nationalisation of trains and supporting NHS, which Corbyn has, but also recognising that we need centralist aspects of the Labour party to win swing voters. I think all the credibility of that approach is shot now for five years at least, whatever.

 

I will say that is also the fault of the timing and format of the coup as well. I despair

 

I think the principles and positions that Corbyn stands for are spot on. And once the white noise and political spectrum tags are stripped back they are positions that would be hugely popular with the electorate. What is needed is for them to be better translated and articulated in to tangible policy. This needs two things and first is none of the ongoing distraction of leadership challenges doomed to fail. But more importantly some of the excellent minds within the PLP to bring their skill in forming the detail. At the moment they haven't done this, instead concentrating on working out how to get rid of Corbyn.

There's an opportunity now to draw a line under this. Whether there is the maturity on both sides to do this, I hope but am not sure.

 

http://ilikecorbynbut.com

 

I'd start with removing the tribalism of centre left politics. Labour can't win an outright majority without a spectacular collapse in support for the SNP, who broadly share the same views as Labour. So there needs to be a progressive alliance across the SNP, Plaid, Greens and Lib Dens.

Commit to introduce proportional representation.

More devolution for Scotland in return for a commitment to remain part of the union (Scottish independence will happen if Tory government persists)

Renationalise the railways.

Overhaul the tax system to a more progressive system in which the wealthiest contribute more.

Be honest that the NHS and older people care needs more investment and introduce a tax increase with a commitment that the money raised will only be spent on that.

Free councils to borrow against existing council house stock, raising billions to spend on new house building programmes.

Tackle the immigration debate by committing to targeted investment in the areas that experience the highest levels of immigration.

 

He has to engage the traditional base. He has to make them believe in positive change. In solidarity in community. When Tahtcher said there is no such thing as society she was wrong. But she dismantled it and those that followed exacerbated its decline. The lack of empathy is startling the distrust of politics and politicians is nothing to be celebrated its a national tragedy. We should believe in change the positive change of working together to raise up the weakest and poorest not knee jerk negative change and the demonisation of fellow working class people. This is a massive challenge. The working class are beaten into submission submerged in debt they have lost hope. They no longer believe in change. The generation of people that changed the country those who had seen the pre war years where working people led largely terrible lives with little protection against what life threw at them have gone or are going. Those memories are being redrawn. Those in power control the press and the agenda. They deflect anger from bankers who cause financial turmoil to the disabled, those who cannot find work, foreigners. To take down this facade took a war last time so it's scale should never be underestimated. Those on the left need to focus their energies on changing and shaping the debate not on stupid infighting.

It's a national disgrace that the Red Cross deliver food parcels to one of the richest countries on earth that we have people who rely on food banks. People with jobs not just those who don't. I'm ashamed of this. We need to turn this shame into anger and point that anger at the right targets.

 

Largely agree with that but a progressive alliance with the SNP or Plaud Cymry won't happen imo for the simple reason that independence is the only game in town for these party's.
The proof being that at its outset The SNP were a more right wing party and that's where it's core support lies ,the fact that it had changed to a left wing agenda is wolf in sheep's clothing, an ends to a means the core support is still the same right wing Scots with an hatred or at best dislike for being second fiddle in a supposedly equal partnership.
The SNP like UKIP has one ultimate goal and if it means cosying up to certain factions to achieve its aim so be it imo.
But it doesn't mean left wing or community based politics are at the forefront of their agenda if it meant an alliance with a unionist party and further it's cause.