Labour Party (UK) Leadership Election, 2016

[afleitch]

Things you shouldn't say if you're an under fire leader:


 "Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel than our Muslim friends are for the self-styled Islamic State"

Oh for f**k's sake.

OK, now it's REALLY time to go.

At least he didn't go with 'Germans are for the Holocaust.' I say at least.

[afleitch]

Strictly speaking that accolade goes to Patrick Harvie as co-convener (read; basically the leader but the Greens are being all feminist share circle about it) of the Scottish Greens since 2008.

But yes, it's nice to live in a very female and very gay phase of British politics right now.

[afleitch]

I think Labour have to be brutal about it's membership. The 3 quidder exercise has been a vehicle for entryism probably far worse than at any other time in Labour's history. The supporters of which have no aspirations to actually fight and win an election and govern. If Corbyn can't be removed that way, then the poor bastards that actually have to work with him in the PLP would be wise to simply walk off on masse and form a new opposition, take the short money and hope former Labour Party supporters come their way.

[afleitch]

Looking at that map I genuinely forgot for a second Labour only had one MP in Scotland.

[afleitch]

So given the inevitable Corbyn victory and with the PLP finding the position untenable we get SDP mark 2, except with 100-150 defectors becoming the official opposition, who will be elected as 'Not The Labour Party' leader? Someone who actually wants it rather than a former stalking horse?

[afleitch]

If he does win again you're more likely to see him get his old demand for annual leadership elections.

So every year Labour get's the opportunity to kill itself?

[afleitch]

The only way to absolutely guarantee defeat is to assume that it's going to happen.

Are assume that you're winning... (see 2015)

[afleitch]

Why aren't the unions doing a better job at turning out their members? One would think that in a party like Labour they would be used to playing an important role.

The larger unions tend to be public sector. People in these unions are often not regular Labour voters never mind actively engaged in Labour politics.

[afleitch]

This is just beyond embarrassing

It's a Blairite/Tory conspiracy clearly.

[afleitch]

Corbyn is the one true religion. And there's not much Labour can do about it. And I think the MP's might be too feart to split, even with the fear of deselection.