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Could Labour 'split'. Tom Watson calls off talks.

(1001 Posts)
POGS Sat 09-Jul-16 11:42:10

It is being reported Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson has called off 'talks's with the Unions/Len McCluskey over Jeremy Corbyns future and refusal to 'stand down'. He is being reported as saying 'There is no realistic prospect of reaching a compromise'

Obvious signs have been there , (noted from the beginning of Corbyn becoming leader for political anoraks) but is this perhaps a challenge that 'if' it does happen might just 'split' Labour into the Parliamentary Labour Party and another group finally calling themselves 'Momentum' as an official opposition party?

There have been a few voices suggesting a Labour Leadership challenge could happen on Monday 'maybe' they are correct.

Interesting to watch.

trisher Tue 12-Jul-16 20:17:09

When did he threaten legal action Anniebach? He was on TV saying he would take advice not action. You really don't want him to have any credence do you?

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 20:12:45

Trisher, you have never known anyone to switch from one party to another

Be interesting to see if Owen Jones stands too. I am in no doubt Angela will not win but she will help the party know if Corbyns support has increased or decreased and this will help the party, I do admire her loyalty to the party. I admire here bravery too, this morning a meeting arranged for a hotel had to be moved because the hotel received threats .

Bet the Tories are partying

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 20:02:44

Was there any doubt , he threatened the party with legal action. I am now wondering if Margaret Hodge was right . and in my opinion he has no regard for the Labour Party

trisher Tue 12-Jul-16 20:01:09

You said "No one knows" in answer to the question "How many of the £3 people were labour supporters?" If they were members of another party they were obviously not Labour supporters and were identified as such. Yes there might be more who had no other political allegiance who were not Labour supporters but there was some check. So some were known- your reply indicated there was no check whatsoever.
Corbyn is to stand. What a complete waste of time and energy. Does Angela Eagle really think she has a chance?

Gracesgran Tue 12-Jul-16 19:58:07

By quite a decent margin too.

Devorgilla Tue 12-Jul-16 19:52:50

Well, I see from the news flash he is automatically on.

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 19:43:02

Yes trisher, but they cannot prove anyone unless they are members of another party is a labour supporter and it was this question I replied to.

trisher Tue 12-Jul-16 19:35:59

Over 1200 people were prevented from voting in the Leadership election for various reasons including membership of other political parties- so there was some way of checking up on them
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33868771

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 19:26:01

Yes there is Gracesgran

Gracesgran Tue 12-Jul-16 19:19:32

That's great Annie but there is going to be a lot more water under the bridge before it is all sorted.

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 19:10:35

No Gracesgran, I don't have a problem, I cannot make decisions for the Labour party only for myself. Difficult but I have come to a decision as to what I can do.

Gracesgran Tue 12-Jul-16 18:45:02

No one knows in any party AB, as what people believe and why they joined is rarely made public.

You have a real problem Annie as equally why should the vast numbers who voted for the leader against which there has been an organised coup leave the Labour Party? It is a circle that cannot be squared.

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 17:38:27

Why should a Labour MP leave the party because they believe the leader cannot lead them to an election win?

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 17:36:41

No one knows obieone

TriciaF Tue 12-Jul-16 17:35:42

I agree Eloethan - underhand methods. His opponents had plenty of opportunities to leave and either form a new party like the SDPs of the 80s, or even join the Liberals. But no they decided to stay and undermine him.
But that's politics these days. Maybe always has been.

obieone Tue 12-Jul-16 17:29:43

Out of interest, how many of the signed up with £3 people, are likely to be genuine Labour supporters?

Eloethan Tue 12-Jul-16 17:19:51

Those millions of people in the country who feel disenfranchised and who, it is implied, do - or, supposedly, should - disapprove of Corbyn's leadership, have the answer in their hands. There is nothing to stop them joining the Labour Party and supporting the MPs who wish Corbyn to go.

Corbyn set out what he believed in when he was persuaded to stand as leader, and he obtained overwhelming support. If support for him has dwindled because (a) some who previously voted for him have changed their minds and (b) some have joined the party specifically to vote against him, and therefore he loses, then presumably that will settle the issue.

What the MPs are trying to do now is ensure that Labour Party members do not get the opportunity to vote for him even if they wish to. I can't see how anyone can justify such underhand methods.

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 17:09:00

He will be on the ballot , he threatened with legal action if he isn't -clever man- it has been reported there will be s secret ballot, 33 votes, 12 are unions, plus Corbyn and Trickett - add just five more who may want to avoid a drawnon out legal battle, he has it in the bag . Plus he must known how many votes Momentum have gathered for him and union money .

I share your views Devorgilla.

Trisher, might see a resurgence of the Labour Party? Doesn't give confidence neither does the idea that a large number of voters in the country want a far left government . This is what matters on polling day how the country votes not how party members vote . I don't accept the plotting in dark corners by those who resigned from his shadow cabinet

Devorgilla Tue 12-Jul-16 17:03:13

See the NEC have voted for a secret ballot. Apparently a secret ballot is undemocratic. Wonder why we have a secret ballot for General Elections then? When I studied history I read it had been brought in to protect the workers from intimidation by the bosses. If JC's followers feel intimidated and anti-JC followers feel intimidated shouldn't we have a secret ballot to protect the democratic process? Bet there are a lot of bosses out there who would just love to know which of their workers dared to vote anything but the way they were told.

trisher Tue 12-Jul-16 16:45:38

She wasn't in the street when I heard it Anniebach in the studio being interviewed an ideal time to outline her policies.If she said it again in the street she is even less suitable-a one trick pony! As far as Scotland goes it was largely lost because of New Labour and Blairism, real socialism might see a resurgence of the Labour party there. The people splitting the party are the MPs plotting in dark corners when will they realise that people want honesty and openness?

Devorgilla Tue 12-Jul-16 16:14:11

I am sure JC will be on the ballot and, if he wins, yes I do think there will be a massive upheaval in the Labour Party as I know it. But I am of the view that this is one battle that has to be fought to the bitter end this time. There can be no patching up, no making do. The two main warring factions have to either split into two or put up and shut up. For me the choice is a party that can win elections and power and change the lives of the many as opposed to a party which is prepared to lose power for decades to come.

daphnedill Tue 12-Jul-16 16:08:50

I don't agree that they're a disgrace to democracy. Admittedly, Corbyn is the choice of the majority of Labour Party members, but there are millions of people in the country who currently feel disenfranchised, because there isn't an effective opposition and feel excluded from whatever is going on inside the Labour Party.

True democracy would offer those people a choice.

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 16:05:45

f77, sorry to disagree again but Corbyn is splitting the party, I respect your surport for him but do you really believe he can win a general election - not forgetting we have lost Scotland and will lose most of the 40 seats this government will axe - can he reach out to centre ground voters across the country? Do we want a labour government who can reverse the brutal acts of this government or a labour oposition who cannot do anything except say they object ? This is what it means if Corbyn remains leader.

You want the party to split? Who stays labour and who moves to a new party?

f77ms Tue 12-Jul-16 15:36:28

Annie should all public figures resign , stand down when they are attacked or do you think it is a police matter . Corbyn is not splitting the party the PLP are . Actually I would like the party to split , let those Mp`s who don`t like the peoples choice form their own party . They are a disgrace to democracy .

Anniebach Tue 12-Jul-16 14:04:07

Seems now his office hasn't been attacked, on the news breaking of Angela's office being attacked Corbyn said he has received death threats , he didn't say by phone, email, letter though

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