I love being so cheerful
Gransnet forums
News & politics
Channel 4 Dispatches - Momentum Party
(513 Posts)Well that was interesting. I should say Panarama was also enlightening but not as forceful and uncompromisingly direct in it's reporting content as Dispatches.
I'm not going to simply post on the Lib Dem Thread which has turned into a Labour Thread as I think this programme summed up exactly what I have thought and have been posting since the formation of Momentum , it is a ' Party within a Party.'
I will say now to those who will see it as propaganda and take umbrage at my post you cannot argue with what you see and hear from the horses mouth, no matter how hard you might try and no doubt will.
The fact Momentum are doing all they can to play down the Momentum name in connection to the ' Jeremy for Labour ' Campaign , the use of the Unite Union office are significant, the way the reporter was paid is serious stuff and I hope there is further investigation into that. Will anybody take it up I wonder?.
Has anybody 'Cicked' on the ' Jeremy for Labour ' Campaign or answered questions on the phone in connection with it. The reason I ask is if you have you are, as I understood it, on the data base on the Jeremy For Labour Services?. Listen to what is said about it , you may not be too happy, or maybe you will of course.
There is to be fair a Momentum explanation and statement at the end of the programme but it is worth viewing to make your own mind up if you didn't catch it.
Perhaps I did nightowl
Whatever the arguments I think most people understand the low regard in which politicians world wide are regarded by the voting populations.
As a result we have the horror that is Trump,and the rise of the right wing in Europe. Movements like Momentum will happen as a counterbalance to what many people particularly the young see as the move to the right in the UK.
Yesterday the Director of the V&A resigned indicating that Brexit and all that it underpinned was his main reason for resigning also stating that so much if what is happening in Europe including the UK reminds him of the20s and 30s. He isn't alone in saying this I have heard a number of academics say the same.
The world I feel is in a very dark place at the moment I am beginning to fear for the future.
I'm not sure I agree with your analysis of what Tony Benn would say Annie. Many people accused him of destroying the Labour Party back then Annie and I don't think there was any evidence that his political views changed in old age. He had socialist principles, and retained them to the end. But maybe you knew him better than me.
The problem Labour have is the link Durhamjen posted on Wed 22.54 could 'for the most part' apply to Corbyn and his followers equally, simply exchange Smith for Corbyn , left for right and it could be written for either . It will simply depend on which 'side' you belong to.!
Extracts.
"There you have it. Allowing the Tories a free reign, allowing Labour to plummet in the polls, and allowing Labour to lose control of Bristol City Council"
"He has been sacrificed as their useful idiot. Smith’s inflated ego doesn’t allow him to see that he has been hoodwinked by his peers"
"Their cultish and entitled arrogance means that they think they own Labour Party and the direction it should take. Their collective behaviour since day one of Corbyn’s leadership conclusively proves the point"
"When Tony Blair was the Labour Party leader and left-wing members resigned in their thousands,".
(That's why Labour regained POWER , the influence of the far left had been snuffed out. That's why you see and hear so often from Corbyn followers 'I/We have waited over 30 years to get my/our Labour Party back).
He would, like any labour MP say the only way to defeat the Tories is to win the election, opinions of the Tory party can go on and on , doesn't win an election ,
Hear, not heat!
Totally agree nightowl, although Tony Benn did gain respect before his death, mainly because everything he said about the effect the Tory party would have came true. It would be so interesting to have a conversation with him now, and to heat what advice he would give to Jeremy Corbyn.
No nightowl.
Apologies whitewave
Yes whitewave and isn't it strange how so many people now admire and respect Tony Benn, now he is safely dead. Even Michael Foot is far more respected than he ever was in office. I would love to hear their views of what is going on in the party now.
Did you mean me Annie? I can't see that trisher has posted recently.
If so, you mistake me for someone who defends momentum. I have no interest in defending momentum, I have knowledge of them but am not a member, not because I think they are dodgy or suspect in some way, but because I have no interest in joining. But I do think (know) that you and many others on here have a completely skewed view of what they are about, fed by the media.
There are other groups within the Labour Party that give me far more cause for concern.
Oh is that the one about Momentum? Only I'm not really interested in them as there does seem a lot of fuss and bother made about them which doesn't seem terribly balanced as they don't affect my voting decisions one jot and I suspect they don't affect yours or almost all the labour members your know.
Never has such hot air and energy been used over a left wing member of the Labour party - well not since Michael Foot and Tony Benn. Saw it all happen last time not taking any notice this time.
I didn't expect you to to trisher, not on a criticism of momentum - denial
Dispatches on catch up tv whitewave.
With what Annie?
I don't agree Anniebach. Simple as that.
Try catch up whitewave
Nightowl, other leaders have stood or fallen at general elections as a united force, leader and shadow cabinet and MP's
The present leader of the Labour Party has united with an unelected group of people who work under the banner Momentum
I didn't watch it Annie, so can't comment. Sorry
Surprised there are no opinions on the subject of this thread ,
CHANNEL 4 DISPATCHES
Considering what was revealed in that programme to speak of democracy is a farce.
Perhaps not so surprised considering what was revealed in the programme.
Couldn't agree more whitewave.
Thar is exactly been my opinion since this contest started.
If the right wing faction was serious in this contest they would have put forward a serious contestant - there are far better choices than Smith. But they know that they cannot at the moment win so Smith is the fall guy to test the water.
We will almost certainly see more undermining and disruption of a democratically elected leader. Whatever you think of him his policies are chiming with the Labour membership.
I think the biggest criticism to be levelled at Corbyn is his leadership style. This cannot be helped by those opposed to democracy in the Labour Party who will not accept the will of the membership.
Labour Mps have a duty to oppose. I am appalled at this lack of opposition. Instead they choose to use their energies opposing their own elected leader. The Tories are an open goal with so much to highlight so much easy meat to chew. It is a disgrace.
Do not assume from this post that I fully support Corbyn - I have my reservations but
I respect the democratic process. Corbyn must stand or fall by the general election, just as other leaders done.
That's an interesting article jen. It's spot on about the so called 'moderates' (hollow laugh) and the devious, nasty, bullying tactics they will employ to get their way. And it's spot on about what those same 'moderates' said to those people leaving Labour when Tony Blair hijacked the party for his own ends. I remember it being said to me almost word for word when I said I could no longer vote for labour under his leadership.
Not interested, sorry but yet another link of nothing , just an opinion masked as a fact
Luke Akehurst said it. He runs the Anyone but Corbyn group.
Perhaps you ought to find out a bit about him.
Join the conversation
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »