Concern within the Labour Party that Jeremy Corbyn is doing well

I'm not a Labour Party member but I'm watching all this with avid academic interest. I saw Corbyn interviewed yesterday by Emily forget-her-other-name on Newsnight and I was very impressed, not so much by his views and his possible policies if elected but by the man himself. He actually answers questions with a straight answer, which is amazing in itself, and he is not afraid to give answers that will be unpopular with many, including his own party. The man certainly has charm and charisma. Even Emily did a little simper at the end.

Contrast his performance with that of Yvette Cooper or Liz Kendall, neither of whom (but especially YC) seem able to give straight answers to anything, and it is easy to see why Corbyn is gaining support, especially with young people who like plain-speaking. Good leadership needs - amongst other things - good communication skills and Corbyn has that in spades. A good leader also needs confidence and Corbyn's performance has plenty of that, too. I somehow doubt he will win in the end as I think Andy Burnham (he of the gorgeous eyelashes and eyebrows) will probably pip him to the post but the Labour leadership contest is certainly shaking up politics.

Yes, the labour leadership contest, especially with Jeremy C involved, is encouraging people to consider their true political beliefs. That has to be a Good Thing.

Whitewave's list of the positive benefits brought to our country by Labour governments is a reminder to all of us that without Labour governments over the years, we'd all be worse off. I remain puzzled that the Labour campaign leading up to the last election failed on every level to remind the electorate that every time Labour is elected, there's a need to rebuild public services which have been run down by previous tory governments. I'm currently re experiencing feelings of anger that such a huge amount of public money was showered on Kids Company whilst statutory services for children and families were being slashed. Yes, I know Gordon Brown was mesmerised as well but that doesn't mean I can't criticise David Cameron for being (it seems) mesmerised by a charismatic individual.

How come child and adolescent mental health services can be cut, government grants to well established and productive charities slashed (Bernardo' s for example) whilst Kids Company was funded, it seems unquestioningly.

I think it is to do with allowing the right to set the agenda and the context of any discussions . So we have the "we can't afford it" "There are lots of scroungers taking advantage of the system" rhetoric that the leaders of the Labour party have bought into. By denying this JC sets a new agenda and brings back the old socialist values of care for the weakest and poorest. There are actually very few people who disagree with the principle apart of course from the rampant tories we now have in power

I think a lot of people can be mesmerised by a charismatic individual .

Although, perhaps Gordon Brown and David Cameron just thought that Kids Company was doing a fine job for disadvantaged youngsters.

White waves List did show some good things( of course, no government Does ALL bad things does it) So Labour under Blair wasn't too dusty after all.

. I remain puzzled that the Labour campaign leading up to the last election failed on every level to remind the electorate that every time Labour is elected, there's a need to rebuild public services which have been run down by previous tory governments.

I think many of us do Iam64 There was something very wrong with the enthusiasm of the people involved for their own party. I have just watched Andy Burnham's short video about his Manifesto - "A radical vision for Labour" - but it isn't. It says what he would do but not what he believes and I feel that is the problem. I may not agree with what DC believes, I may even consider him pretty low in the human race for holding some of those beliefs but I do know what he believes.

Not good enough.I do not believe Corbyn would make a good Prime Minister. He just does not sound or look the part. Remember he would be representing our country! Sorry to disagree.

At least Jeremy Corbyn has invoked some debate, the other candidates are all much of a bland muchness. A return to socialist ideals would be a good thing in my opinion

I couldn't agree more. Corbyn is the only one who is totally committed. He shows the other hopefuls up as career politicians. Of all the causes he supports, I can't think of a single one that I disagree with.

I certainly don't care if a PM is wearing Saville Row to represent this country , I care what he says and does, who really wants slick and sly anyway

I would love to vote for what Jeremy Corbyn advocates - but is he electable? And if Labour is to actually change anything for the better for the most vulnerable how can it do that if it does not gain power? Unfortunately most people seem to believe the right wing press which demonises "scroungers" and migrants, and judging by the outcome of the last election, do not care about inequality and injustice.

You may disagree as much as you like Royandsyl but do explain what is "not good enough" and why, whether he looks or sound the part (or not, in your opinion) it makes a difference.

The Labour Party are, at this point, going to vote on their leader. You don't say if you are interested in voting Labour but if you are then, in this instance, aren't you looking at the direction of the Labour Party? Obviously, if you are not this election is not so relevant to you. When it comes to the next general election you will be able to decide, after four and a half years, whether you want the policies of one party or another and, if it what decides your vote, whether any of the leader on offer would make a good PM.

What does look the part of a PM really mean? A dodgy car dealer can look and act the part of a honest car sales man . I wouldn't want a PM to act a role , I want honesty not auditioning for the West End

I agree with NotTooOld that JC looks and sounds the part of someone who has strong beliefs and communicates them clearly, as well as giving straight answers to questions.
To me that is a good look and sound to have, for a party leader.

If he can inspire the Labour party with a clear vision which they can communicate
to voters at the next election, that will be a huge improvement on the wishy-washy state of Labour at the moment.

purple what do you mean by electable?

I'm not impressed by Saville Row suits either, Anniebach. Give me a bit of character any day. I took a shine to that Greek Finance Minister (the one who got the sack) who turned up to meet Dave at Number 10 wearing a collarless shirt and biker boots. Good for him! Let's have a bit of individuality in the way our politicians dress as well as in the way they think.

Excellent article here about Corbyn for PM.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/06/jeremy-corbyn-prime-minister-labour-leadership

Do you have the feeling that some of the papers are catching up with some of the would be Labour electorate at last Jen.

Not only some of the papers, Gracesgran, but the FT thinks Corbynomics is a good idea.

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2015/08/06/the-ft-says-corbyns-peoples-qe-could-actually-be-a-decent-idea/

Wow!

The dreadful thing is that this message failed to get to the electorate before the last ele tion and we the tax payers who have spent so many years building up s country to be proud of with our hard earned taxes, have now to watch it all dismantled on the alter of George Osborn's and his cohorts belief in a small state mascarading as austerity.

What we are looking at is the tearing down of generations of struggle to produce a type of economy that whilst encouraging those people keen to do better and acquire a decent standard of living also recognised that there will always be those who for whatever reason whether through health, lack of education, a downturn in the economy etc will need assistance, and the welfare state started by our parents who have passed the torch first to us and in our turn to our children is one of the greatest contributions made to the UK .

It is outrageous that this has been foisted on the British people under siuch a lie.

passionate post whitewave, and a good one to read as I start my day. It seems a lot of us a grateful for Jeremy Corbyn for bringing a bit of passion back into the Labour party. I don't mean over emoting, I mean holding to your beliefs and expressing them clearly. That's is pull for me.

To digress slightly, NotTooOld's reference to the former Greek finance minister, Varofakis made me smile. I was so sorry when he disappeared from our tv screens, I was glued to the news when he appeared regularly

Corbyn has certainly done for the young in England and Wales as Sturgeon did for Scotland, young people are talking politics , my grandson came home for a few days this week, he and several friends have joined the Labour Party and will vote for Corbyn , these are not unemployed and on benefits young people, they met at university and are now in employment . I was at the local Quakers annual Hiroshima Memorial Day yesterday, just standing in centre of town ,in silence, for the first time several young people approached the group wanting to talk about nuclear warfare , and wars in general. Several mentioned Corbyn and nuclear disarmament . He is reaching out to the young at a time Cameron ,Osbourne and IDS are doing the very opposite

Good post Whitewave and you are really finding some great links Jen.

Not only is the FT saying
If Jeremy Corbyn becomes leader of the UK Labour Party, one positive consequence will be the ensuing discussion of the monetary policy transmission mechanism. It all started with his presentation on “The Economy in 2020” given on July 22.

But they appear to be criticising the governments austerity policy:
The existing monetary policy tools also have the unseemly property of appearing to work mainly by making the rich richer and hoping that some of the extra wealth gets spent. Even if it’s true that the rest of society benefits from this, because otherwise they’d be unemployed, this is trickle-down monetary policy. The Bank of England admitted that “in practice, the benefits from these wealth effects will accrue to those households holding most financial assets”

Everyone has been brainwashed by the idea that austerity is how you would run a household budget and it is not. Neither is it how you should run a company and certainly not a country. In fact the only time you might apply an austerity style budget is if you were a poor pensioner on a fixed income and that is not how I see my country!

Anniebach you brought a lump to my throat. How can we have got to the situation where we are so moved by a show of principle?

Everyone has been brainwashed by the idea that austerity is how you would run a household budget and it is not.

Eh? The answer is to borrow?