Blackbriar 8,568 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 (edited) I know there's not many Labour supporters here, and I'm certainly not one, but their leadership election has taken an interesting turn. The arch left-winger Jeremy Corbyn is emerging as favourite to become their next leader, taking a lead over Andy Burnham, the early favourite. Before we dismiss him out of hand, look at his record, and you see that he has stood firmly on his principles for many years. For instance, he led the campaign to free the 'Guilford 4', opposes all tuition fees, voted against the Iraq war and in a three month period claimed just £8.54 in expenses ! His constituency majority is over 20,000 and he had the support of 60% of his local vote at the last election - like him or loathe him, he is a politician of considerable reputation ! But, is he the man to turn Labour's fortunes ? The party are now facing a long period in oppostion, and no-one seriously believes that Corbyn will ever become Prime Minister, but is he the rabble-rouser that could put some life back into British politics ? He has long been a thorn in the Tory and Coalition side, so should his party give him his head, at least as a 'stop gap' leader, maybe ? Isn't it the duty of 'the Opposition' to oppose ? A lot of voters think that politics has become too dominated by the cult of personality - is it time some principles were voiced ? As I said, I'm not a Labour supporter, but I do think that for democracy to function properly, you need an effective opposition, to ask the awkward questions and scrutinise government decisions - and that's something we haven't had for a few years now ! From their current position, I think Labour should be glad that at least someone is provoking some interest in them! Edited July 23, 2015 by Blackbriar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Born Hunter 17,656 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Isn't it the duty of 'the Opposition' to oppose ? IMO that's a major problem with our politics. There's too often very little thought applied to a stance other than "Well those fuckers over there said it's black, so we had better say it's white!". He does seem a man of principle though, which is lacking. He's too left wing to do the party any good.......... so I hope he wins, LOL. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tatsblisters 8,297 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 He should get the labour leadership at least then their will be a clear left or right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Accip74 7,112 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 How the fcuk anyone can align themselves to any one party in this day & age is beyond me..........it would be great to sort through all the cranks & driftwood & just cherry pick the men of principle & capability, put them all together & hope they come up with something good......haha Of course completely fanciful, but then so are most of the current options...... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bird 9,626 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Isn't it the duty of 'the Opposition' to oppose ? IMO that's a major problem with our politics. There's too often very little thought applied to a stance other than "Well those fuckers over there said it's black, so we had better say it's white!". He does seem a man of principle though, which is lacking. He's too left wing to do the party any good.......... so I hope he wins, LOL. yeh he comes over like that ,I have voted labour up to the 70s when the unions got you good wage for weeks work, good h/s , and just better working conditions in general . but after thatcher crushed unions from the miners strike etc , for me there was no point in voting labour when the union had no power , just waste of time ,like now you couldn't strike even if you wanted today unless you got 50% with this new law .and if you voted Tory to get the hunting ban lifted with (running dog / terriers) not foxhounds/horse , it was a wasted vote , you may as well voted BNP . lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Isn't it the duty of 'the Opposition' to oppose ? IMO that's a major problem with our politics. There's too often very little thought applied to a stance other than "Well those fuckers over there said it's black, so we had better say it's white!". He does seem a man of principle though, which is lacking. He's too left wing to do the party any good.......... so I hope he wins, LOL. yeh he comes over like that ,I have voted labour up to the 70s when the unions got you good wage for weeks work, good h/s , and just better working conditions in general . but after thatcher crushed unions from the miners strike etc , for me there was no point in voting labour when the union had no power , just waste of time ,like now you couldn't strike even if you wanted today unless you got 50% with this new law .and if you voted Tory to get the hunting ban lifted with (running dog / terriers) not foxhounds/horse , it was a wasted vote , you may as well voted BNP . lol If it doesn't tighten up any further then it isn't a wasted vote! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 He's too far to the left IMO.. I wouldn't like to see a main opposition leader who wanted trident scrapped either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mackay 3,087 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Don't agree with his views, but at least I know what his views are. That's more than can be said for the other contenders. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,568 Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 I have to confess that I've met him a couple of times (albeit some years ago), and he's actually a really nice bloke. Would have to agree that, at least, you could never accuse him of sitting on the fence - a straight question gets a straight answer ! Even if you don't support him, shouldn't more politicians follow his example ? 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BGD 6,427 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Did you see his response to Blairs criticism of him on the news? Was brilliant 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shepp 2,285 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/11758612/Jeremy-Corbyn-accused-of-inaction-over-paedophile-scandal.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BGD 6,427 Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Farage gatecrashing the Labour leader debate on LBC Have to say I agree with good old Nige on Corbyn, he's a Socialist which is exactly what the Labour leader should be Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ValerieLeverette 2 Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Well, I have no idea on Socialist. I am looking for a hunting equipments in affordable range. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Well, I have no idea on Socialist. I am looking for a hunting equipments in affordable range.Wrong place, try the sales section! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mackay 3,087 Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 I can't see a trivial little thing like ignoring child abuse put the loony left of voting for him. If other parts of England are anything to go by he'll win by a landslide. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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