The G Man Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) interested in the thoughts of my southern cousins on the election of the new Labour leader today. At the minute here in Scotland, he's relatively inconsequential, but, would he make a difference to how you vote in the future? I was quite enthused by the rejection of the Blairites and the press reaction. Edited September 13, 2015 by The G Man 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 being a "southern cousin" who moved far far away . . . . I could not give a monkeys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 It's already flushed some Tories out of the Labour front bench, so that's positive. It's about time Labour wasn't just Tories in red outfits. Think it'll be enough to worry Nicola north of the border G? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 being a "southern cousin" who moved far far away . . . . I could not give a monkeys I am still here and I couldn't care less either Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 l, but, would he make a difference to how you vote in the future? Yes, I'm normally a labour voter but he crosses far too many red lines for me, just like Michael Foot did many years ago. His election basically means we'll have a conservative government for at least another 15 years. Pete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggalo Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) He's a commie, cut from similar cloth to Michael Foot. Which is a ridiculous ideal to hold in this day and age. When the Tories are signing up to vote Corbyn in for Labour leader, then you know Corbyn was the suicidal choice for Labour. Good news for Conservative and UKIP and me. I never want to see Labour in power again after last time. Edited September 13, 2015 by Juggalo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fodder Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 I tend to steer clear of political threads but he seems to be a bit of an idealist as opposed to a realist. He has a utopia in mind but no idea of knowing how to get there. I've worked on projects with a PM that knows where we need to get to but has no idea of how to get there and makes up as they go along ignoring sound advice. It never ends well and that's how I see this guy. To be fair my knowledge of him is mainly from the media so I know it's skewed but people like this guy getting into power scare me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 If his own party didnt vote for him, cant see it being a good thing. Seems like the unions are once again trying to rule the country with their choice of leader. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Didn't 60% of his own party vote for him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 he looks about 3000 years old. 'nuff said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Didn't 60% of his own party vote for him? No, not mp's, you could even buy a vote for £3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I disagree with pretty much everything he's ever said so he won't make me switch political viewpoints, however the real trouble is that I can't see him making much of a difference to swing voters either. He's seriously far to the Left, so incredibly unlikely to pick up anyone hovering around the Centre, and they're the people that win you elections. If Labour couldn't win an election after 5 years of austerity and the most unpopular government that I can remember, what chance of doing it next time round? I can't see it happening, which ultimately weakens British politics as without a strong opposition, the Government go unchallenged. The LibDems did a very good job in coalition under difficult circumstances, and I think people with short memories forgot that. There's a lot of youngsters on social media proclaiming Corbyn to be a great leader for Labour, and that his policies are just what Britain needs after the evil Tories. Well, they're the same people that said the same about Miliband and his effort, and whilst they're incredibly vocal they're also clearly not the voting majority. FWIW, I hope he turns out to be an excellent foil for Labour and can push the PM a bit, but I don't see him making Labour a force again. Blame the Sturgeon and her brand of nationalistic jingoism for that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I'm reserving opinion for a while - I left Labour in the noughties - I joined the SNP last year as their politics are closest to my own. I'll wait and see if he does what it says on the tin. Dan - he's not that far left - and he may not pick up the left of centre voters but he may pick up those of us that can't honestly call ourselves socialists and want to remain part of the middle class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 If Labour couldn't win an election after 5 years of austerity and the most unpopular government that I can remember, what chance of doing it next time round? Thatcher was far more unpopular and she won 3 elections. Labour reacted to Thatcher's first election victory by installing Michael Foot as leader, very popular with the labour activists and unions but got a big fat zero from the people that really matter, the electorate. The similarities are striking, idealist, left wing, ban the bomb, not keen on Europe, pacifist and Foot was 67 when he became leader. Foot though did have plenty of government experience. It took 15 years to recover from the Foot era and with the inevitable loss of Scotland at some stage Labour may never recover. I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to see another Liberal, gang of 4 type coalition before the next election. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I like the fact that he is actually politically different and is offering something else; but when he has split his own party then he wont be threatening the Tories in an election for at least 8 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 For me, it's just deciding which turd doesn't stink the most when it comes to political leaders. I think he stinks to high heaven. I haven't read too much about his policies but according to the Daily Fail, he'd cut the MOD to its knees and offer higher benefits to the unemployed. Can't say I like that idea too much. Of course, there's more to it than that but, doesn't sound too promising. ( I know I know... the bloody Daily Mail, I take it with a fist full of salt) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsexr Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 As Dan said it will be interesting to see how this plays out. If he sticks to his ideals then i dont see him getting the labour party back in power. If he tones the extreme left views down a bit he may surprise us but as already said he could just be another foot and he was un-electable. Same as Farage really he needs to be a bit more diplomatic now that they have gained some momentum otherwise they will go the same way and never be a force to be reckoned with. Whatever your views we need a few characters to shake it up a bit but lets not fool ourselves too much, the country is run by the money men in the back room and the change of colour out front is just to make us feel we actually have a say :lol: Drop the tax on fuel and everyone benefits because everything becomes cheaper and offset that by not sending so much money abroad but hey ho, don`t kid yourself they want you to have it too easy. You might end up not taking any notice of them and what would they do then ? Happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I like the fact that he is actually politically different and is offering something else; but when he has split his own party then he wont be threatening the Tories in an election for at least 8 years Yes, and there lies the difference between Foot and Corbyn. Foot was elected to leader by MP's (the last labour leader to do this). What we have now is a party split into 2 factions with a possible or probable civil war about to break out and if there's one thing the electorate don't like then its a party in turmoil. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Interesting article on the BBC about Corbyn. Some I can see his logic, some are utterly baffling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 (edited) Labour have demonstrated quite clearly that Blair's plan only worked for Blair and subsequent attempts to continue that haven't been a tremendous success (perhaps it might have been better had the other Millibland won?). If they're going to lose elections becuase the electorate like what Dave is doing, then they may as well lose saying things that are principled as opposed to the last few years of adopting the "If the tories are cutting £1, we'll cut 98p, aren't we nice?" approach. They're biggest problem is the toys out the pram from the losers, when you've been so colossally rejected by the party members, at least have the good grace to concede and get on board instead of beefing in the corner Edited September 14, 2015 by SuperStu 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 (edited) They're biggest problem is the toys out the pram from the losers, when you've been so colossally rejected by the party members, at least have the good grace to concede and get on board instead of beefing in the corner I am presuming the information we have or use here is what we have heard via the media, the media seem to suggest the mp's vote for him was very weak, so why would the mp's who are "throwing their toys out the pram" hang around for a party leader whos views/policies they dont agree with and more over someone who they think will damage the party? I think the biggest surprise is that an mp has the integrity to follow their believes, not blindly back a leader they have no faith in. Edited September 14, 2015 by Jetpilot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsexr Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 MP`s who do the job because of their beliefs i fear are few. Most are career politicians who will do/say whats required to look after No 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 They're biggest problem is the toys out the pram from the losers, when you've been so colossally rejected by the party members, at least have the good grace to concede and get on board instead of beefing in the corner I am presuming the information we have or use here is what we have heard via the media, the media seem to suggest the mp's vote for him was very weak, so why would the mp's who are "throwing their toys out the pram" hang around for a party leader whos views/policies they dont agree with and more over someone who they think will damage the party? I think the biggest surprise is that an mp has the integrity to follow their believes, not blindly back a leader they have no faith in. If you put something up for a vote, you have to accept the result. Particularly when it's so overwhelming. He took 40% more than the next candidate with 250,000 of 420,000 cast. That's a mandate by any standard even if you believe 1000s of secret Tory voters snuck in. If the losers don't think party members are "right" then it means their either wildly out of touch with your the supporter base or they have no respect for what they've decided (or more likely a bit of both) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 (edited) I am sure they accept the vote, doesnt mean they have to agree with it. If they are widly out of touch with supporter base or lack respect they are best gone then, win win for Labour and Jeremy. Guess we shall see how widldy out of touch they are come next election. Cant say he has started well with his promise of 50% split in his cabinet. It was also the unions who supported his campaign and it didnt really work out well for the previous union choice, what was his name, Ed something. Edited September 14, 2015 by Jetpilot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Man Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 Think it'll be enough to worry Nicola north of the border G? No Stu, if anything it'll strengthen her hand. Kezia Dugdale, the delusional labour leader in Scotland was quite anti Corbyn in the lead up to his election (another own goal by Scottish labour, not knowing the 'mood' of her own party). So it just strengthens the infighting perception that is actually, very real in Scottish Labour. I feel empathy for Corbyn, he was never going to get a smooth ride by the right wing dominated press, even the BBC 'luvvies' are giving him a hard time. Totally and utterly unelectable, which will be another major trigger up here in the independence debate. He will, of course, seek support from the Nationalist Westminster party, who are right of centre compared to Corbyn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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