Is The Labour Party Finished?

[-Talbot-]

David Blunkett isn't too confident about the future

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3666099/We-terrible-terrible-mess-t-worse-David-Blunkett-caught-admitting-Labour-Party-finished-tricked-cruel-TV-prankster-pretending-colleague.html


Corbyn ... should he stay or should he go?

If he stays there will trouble but if he goes will it be double?

[mushroom25]

all corbyn has to do is tough it out. there have been rumblings of leadership challenges ever since the referendum, but so far...... nothing. all the potential challengers know that losing the contest (or supporting a contender) would be a career-ending move, so nobody dares.

[Zacs-Master]

Sigh. I've said this at least twice before on here. The Labour Party was formed to improve the working / living conditions of the working classes in the very early 20th century. They had, by and large, succeeded by about 1970 and had then created the monster that was Trade Union rule over the manufacturing industries, tipping the balance the other way from fat cat bosses and down trodden workers. By the end of the 70s Britain wanted a complete change hence TGL being elected. Labour could only survive by being a quasi version of the Conservatives and this is, largly, why we're in the strange political situation we are now.
Short version: Yes, Labour are screwed.

[Gromit]

It has quadruple the membership of the Conservative Party.
100,000 have joined since Brexit day.

It just needs to purge some ToryLite MPs and reclaim the true party back from the toxic Blair supporters.

The MPs are out of touch with the members and core voters. The Labour MPs adopted the Pro EU policy and Brexit won because core Labour voters in the North and Wales ignored them. The Blairites have lost two General Elections for Labour, they need to go for the good of the Party, and for the good of the British electorate.

But they are cowards.
- They won't resign.
- They won't put up a challenger
- They won't *** off and start their own Party
- They won't obey the party's rules and support their leader.

They are a waste of space.

[Old_Geezer]

Like the newspapers whose headline asks a question, the answer is inevitably, "No".

As for Corbyn, it's up to him. He doesn't have the MP support he needs as leader, but on the other hand there is no obvious socialist candidate to take his place. Maybe he thinks he needs to remain as placekeeper until one emerges.

[Prudie]

I don't know how Corbyn is getting through his days and nights at the moment, any normal person would stand down. The pressure of being so disliked by those around you must be horrendous. The only future I can see in the short term is if a breakaway party forms - like the Liberals did in the 80s.

[Old_Geezer]

As an aside I think it is very low to use a person's disability against them. And the article says that Blunkett thinks they are finished, "at the moment". i.e. they are at a low point for now, only.

[Gromit]

There is a danger that the North and Wales could go the same way as Scotland, and become a Labour Free Zone.

Maybe Corbyn is waiting to see the MPs slaughted at the Annual Conference in September, which they undoubtedly will be my the members in attendance. Perhaps that will force the hand of many Labour MPs to support their leader or face de-selection, or to leave.

[Jackdaw33]

It is not 'very low' to trick a blind man, it is positively wicked.

[Svejk]

They have to split, imo.

[Bertrum]

Quite agree Jackdaw it would not be acceptable in any other walk of life

[Gromit]

Corbyn is under a lot of pressure now, but that is nothing compared to the anger the unruly MPs will feel when they attend Conference (if they don't chicken out for various reasons).

[-Talbot-]

Wicked but Blunkett must be very naive. Why wasn't his first question

''and who are you?''

[Old_Geezer]

"At Prime Minister's Questions earlier today David Cameron joined calls for Mr Corbyn to quit as Labour leader after blaming him for losing the EU referendum."

Ah ! That was what it was then ! Silly me, I though that the "deal" Cameron brought back from the EU (or lack of one) was the reason many voters were not persuaded to change their mind and stick with their EU overlords. Well I learn something new every day. Corbyn is obviously far more influential than I ever realised; even when he isn't doing things rather than doing them. No wonder he doesn't agree to go.

[Old_Geezer]

Can't be sure he didn't ask, Talbot. But would he have got an honest straight answer if he had ? Anyway, two things, no one is likely to know every colleague by name, and, even if one could, if one thinks one recognises someone, does one always think to ask for confirmation ? Maybe they should but if you are confident then it may not even occur to you.

[retrocop]

A very low, sneaky, subterfuge indeed but as the saying goes, 'out of the mouths of innocence and babes'. There is another saying, ' A drunk man tells no lies'. I am not suggesting Mr Blunkett was drunk or is a drunk but one off drunkenness is a temporary disability!

[Jackdaw33]

I think you mean 'in vino veritas', Retro.

[retrocop]

JD
Only if applying it to Berlusconi !!

[-Talbot-]

Perhaps Blunkett didn't care and wanted his views to get out to the media?

[Philoctetes]

Corbyn has made his whole political career out of being disliked by his fellow MPs. His role has always been as the court jester, puncturing inflated egos. He has no talent for leading, as he showed in the EU campaign, where he lacked the courage to "come out". I agree broadly with ZacsMaster, that the party served its purpose long ago. A massive political realignment is what is needed, across the board, and perhaps Corbyn is just the daft figure to spark one. Oh, btw, party membership is, of course, a red herring, simply reflecting those who are willing to pay money for a membership card.

[Jackdaw33]

Whoever wins, May or Leadsom, either will make mincemeat of Corbyn. I would not like to be in his shoes at the moment.