Labour Party (UK) Leadership Election, 2016

[Ronnie]

Jeez, Jeremy Corbyn is really suffering in the polls now.  Fewer than 50% of Labour voters think he'd be a better PM than Theresa May.  Wow!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn-comres-poll-labour-tories-prime-minister-who-would-be-better-voters-a7141171.html

I'd really like to see some horse race numbers between him and Smith.

[Ronnie]

I can't help but feel a victory for Owen would be a hollow and listless one.  I've never seen such a transparent voter suppression effort:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-election-how-to-vote-25-justgiving-jeremy-corbyn-angela-eagle-owen-smith-a7144931.html

[Ronnie]

Corbyn is still the overwhelming favorite in the race:

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/23/labour-leadership-jeremy-corbyn-more-double-support-owen-smith

[Ronnie]

What are everyone's thoughts on the Smith-Corbyn debate that happened yesterday?  Unless I'm missing something, nobody has even mentioned it yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIb64pCMP8

I like Smith's passion, but it seems his plea for unity within and electability of the Labour Party will fall on deaf ears.  Just like the Republican base in the US, Labour voters seem to want someone who reflects their values more than someone who would have a better chance at winning an election.

That said, I'm not sure even a Smith-led party would have what it takes to win.

On a tangential note, I thought this article contrasting Corbyn's kind of resilience from Hillary Clinton's is pretty compelling:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/jeremy-corbyn-could-learn-hillary-clinton-about-fighting-power-1572904

[Ronnie]

I think much of the discussion on the supposed downfall of labour is greatly exaggerated, they're only polling a couple points below their 2010 and 2015 levels, and even with a loss of seats in 2020 a government in 2025 is certainly attainable with May likely to lose some popularity and labour being led by someone halfway competent

Even if they do win in 2025, which is no guarantee, I imagine that being out of power for nine more years would be a tough pill to swallow for Labour supporters, considering they've already been in opposition for six...