UK General Election 2017

[Seamus Fermanagh]

So...

Labour is, at the moment, led by someone who is a true communard (thus appealing to the party's emotional 'heart' and unionists-to-the-barricades roots) but who cannot seem to function well as an executive, while the other leadership contenders are probably more competent at the affairs of governance but seem "tainted" by right-wing attitudes or alliances and thus unappealing to a large portion of the labour voting base. All of which is confounded by being supported by a minority of the voters at large and with few prospects for establishing a coalition government with one of the other parties.

Is that an accurate summary of the current state of things?

[Pannonian]

So...

Labour is, at the moment, led by someone who is a true communard (thus appealing to the party's emotional 'heart' and unionists-to-the-barricades roots) but who cannot seem to function well as an executive, while the other leadership contenders are probably more competent at the affairs of governance but seem "tainted" by right-wing attitudes or alliances and thus unappealing to a large portion of the labour voting base. All of which is confounded by being supported by a minority of the voters at large and with few prospects for establishing a coalition government with one of the other parties.

Is that an accurate summary of the current state of things?

Labour is led by someone who has cultivated ties with all the ideological causes of the non-mainstream Left. These causes often conflict with each other, but they have the common theme of despising compromise and the centre. The latter is personified by Tony Blair, who made alliances with people whom the ideological Left loathe, and who appealed to the centre. Corbyn's leadership shtick is that he is everything Blair isn't. This appeals to his supporters. Unfortunately, there's a reason why Blair won 3 elections, including two of the largest majorities in British history.

And for Beskar: Blair's government did more to help the vulnerable than any other government in my life time. I am deeply appreciative of the things his government did, as my other experience of British government is Tory to greater and lesser extents. Corbyn's supporters despise Blair's government, describing them as no different from the Tories. I strongly, strongly disagree, especially given the pedigree of the man they support instead. Corbyn entered Parliament in the same election where Blair was first elected as MP. What has Corbyn done in this 30-odd years as MP? Does it compare with what Blair has done? Why should I hate Blair?

[Beskar]

And for Beskar: Blair's government did more to help the vulnerable than any other government in my life time. I am deeply appreciative of the things his government did, as my other experience of British government is Tory to greater and lesser extents. Corbyn's supporters despise Blair's government, describing them as no different from the Tories. I strongly, strongly disagree, especially given the pedigree of the man they support instead. Corbyn entered Parliament in the same election where Blair was first elected as MP. What has Corbyn done in this 30-odd years as MP? Does it compare with what Blair has done? Why should I hate Blair?

Lots of people disagree with the War, PFI schemes, the poor economics of boom-boom-boom-no-bust which was sorely mistaken, and his tendency to lie and be two-faced about everything. There is also the whole thing post-government where he went around trying to glorify himself more, raking in millions from publicity stunts. He also tried to purge the left from the Labour party too, which as you now know, were not very happy with that and resurged itself with avengeance. His policies were definite improvements from Margaret Thatcher and John Major, but he courted a lot of the moneyed interests which ended up bringing New Labour centre-right politically. The conservatives as a reaction made themselves more and more right wing to try to distant themselves (Remember Michael Howard? *shivers*) which was only corrected under David Cameron which went back to the centre-right.

[Pannonian]

Lots of people disagree with the War, PFI schemes, the poor economics of boom-boom-boom-no-bust which was sorely mistaken, and his tendency to lie and be two-faced about everything. There is also the whole thing post-government where he went around trying to glorify himself more, raking in millions from publicity stunts. He also tried to purge the left from the Labour party too, which as you now know, were not very happy with that and resurged itself with avengeance.

Well, the Corbynista faction has won now, with the rules guaranteeing their perpetual control of the Labour party. What happens to the Labour party is now their responsibility. Blairites will never again be a factor in the party.

[Beskar]

Well, the Corbynista faction has won now, with the rules guaranteeing their perpetual control of the Labour party. What happens to the Labour party is now their responsibility. Blairites will never again be a factor in the party.

Is One Person, One Vote that terrible? The previous system was "33% membership, 33% parliament MPs, 33% trade unions" which was an awful system. It was also blamed for Ed Miliband for getting into power over his brother, David Miliband, due to the 'influence of trade unions'. Liberal democrats have had 1P1V since the 1980s, yet there haven't been any problems with that for them.

[Pannonian]

Is One Person, One Vote that terrible? The previous system was "33% membership, 33% parliament MPs, 33% trade unions" which was an awful system. It was also blamed for Ed Miliband for getting into power over his brother, David Miliband, due to the 'influence of trade unions'. Liberal democrats have had 1P1V since the 1980s, yet there haven't been any problems with that for them.

And one member one vote means the membership has to accept responsibility for the choice they make. What happens to the Labour party happens because they've chosen the leader they have. Watch the Corbynista fans blame everyone but Corbyn though. It's their way of taking power without accepting responsibility.