Jermy Corbyn elected

"Lions led by donkeys" is a phrase popularly used to describe the British infantry of World War I and to blame the generals who led them." *

As you say the soldiers did not have any choice and up 'til now many voters have felt their only choice was no choice. I said "although they may not recognise such an old quote" because many of those who have felt disenfranchised are among the young. They now have a broader choice and it will be up to the electorate - not you and not me as individuals - as to what they want in 4+ years time.

Meanwhile we have this lovely forum to discuss amongst us what we believe or hold an opinion on.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_led_by_donkeys

My background is that my father was an ardent trade unionist and labour supporter, giving up much of his spare time to campaign for the cause. I wanted to put that out there so everyone knows where I am coming from.

However, am I the only person who is uncomfortable with the way the trade union leaders are assuming they will now have greater influence over the Labour party? I don't like the idea that people who have been elected by, not only a minority of the British people but also a minority of the members of their unions (we all know many don't bother voting) having more influence. Yes, I know many will say the Tory party are influenced by business leaders (and I don't agree with that either).

Rather than judge JC I would rather wait until he has had time to settle into the job, although I am disappointed he has no women in his Shadow Cabinet.

I do wish people would check who is in the cabinet and shadow cabinet

Unless Heidi Alexander and Angela Eagles are men in disguise and Osbourn and Hunt are realy female

Apologies, I hadn't heard about those appointments.

I say give him a chance. Give the Labour party a chance. He will be good in opposition and if he reforms Prime Ministers Questions it will have been worth it. All this shouting at the ballot box is not condusive to discussion.
I hope he declines to go along with it.

sunseeker, the press and the BBC are a disgrace , they are filling the airwaves with these attacks

Health Female

Business. Female

Overseas development female

First Secretary of State. female

Chief whip. Female

Education snd employment still to be announced I think

this worries me

And the fact that the unions are threatening strikes all over the place to bring the government down in the hope of getting Labour into government.

Is it true jingle ? or is it the Tory press starting their attacks on Corbyn ?

I don't have a problem with his joke about Thatcher - it could have been me saying it. She was a destructive force.

Of course it's true ab. There was uproar when he said the Thatcher thing.

Not the Thatcher joke jingle , I remember him saying it

Is it true the unions are planning strikes to bring the government down, you said it was fact

It reminds me of the whodunits on television where about six different people say "I could kill you for that" as red herrings to mislead the public. Wasn't it the Tories who "knifed" Thatcher in the end?

I don't have a problem with the thatcher joke Luckygirl , remembering the misery she brought to so many people , there were people who said it and not as a joke

Education female.

Who got education Jen?

I think you'll find the quote about lions and donkeys refers to WW1 not Waterloo. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't think Corbyn is up to this job [in any way] but the way so far he is handling the press and photographers is not the way to go. saying 'don't bother me' to them when they are asking a question or taking a photo, and scurrying past into cars with his head down etc.They are only doing their job, and most people in top political jobs give a smile or a wave to them or a quick quote.

Don't forget they are use to invites to Chequers

I did nigglenellie correct I mean. Not you of course but Jackthelad. I think you are right.

Lucy Powell as shadow Education secretary.

Who do you think is up to the job, then roses, and do you care? Thought not.

Good choice Jen , the BBC coverage is disgraceful this morning

Do you mean the press Anniebach. Such an arrogant lot. No one has to talk to them unless they want to and the press, in my opinion, has been as much to blame as politicians for us hearing bland, scripted answers. They want the answer they want and will not listen or report anything else.

Thanks Jen

Roses, it was Jeremy Hunt who hid behind a tree. That wasn't giving a smile and a wave.
Why can the press not just let him get on with it, and wait for an announcement? He has a busy week ahead of him.