Corbyns Momentum

I think we have different interpretations of what happened back in the 80s Annie, depending on our experiences back then and what we have read since. I prefer to concentrate on what’s happening now.

There cannot be different interpretations of the 1983 election, Labour was hammered, voters feared the far left , if you had been a party activist you would know this is true

You have no idea what I was doing in 1983 Annie. I cannot argue that labour got hammered but I can disagree with you about the reasons for that. It’s ok to have disagreements within a party, we don’t all have to think the same.

What you were doing in 1983 was certaintly not involved with the election, impossible for anyone who was working for the party st that time could not deny the voters views on the strikes , the unions controlling the party, the unburied dead , the power cuts and more, why was labour in the wilderness for such a long time? Voters didn't trust the far left, they feared it.

I repeat, you have no idea what I was doing Annie and I don’t need to tell you. Suffice it to say I support unions and always have. I remember where the Labour Party began. I wasn’t around then but I am conscious of history and my own family’s past. I could never betray the trades union movement.

Not speaking of trade union betrayal, am speaking of unions ruling the government of the day

Yu seem to have a lot in common with Margaret Thatcher Annie she had delusions about that as well. Unions are the voice of working people, they have never ruled a government.

Really Trisher, it was the unions who forced the hand of a labour government to make the people of Aberfan pay for the removal of the tips, it was a labour government which years later gave the money back to the village where it has been invested and monies will be used after our days for upkeep of the memorial garden , the people of Aberfan were then I assure you working people

I think that the unions used to be the voice of working people - but no more.
With all the problems & difficulties that beset the government at the present time, the LP should be way ahead in the polls - I think it's because of Momentum & the current leadership of the LP that they're not.

I think so too dbDB not enough voters ( for Labour) want Corbyn as PM and Momentum are seen ( and are!) the power behind the throne.

If unions had so little power, why did Thatcher make it her job to, if you will excuse the expression, castrate them?

If the Conservatives stay in power until 2022 and a more centrist Leader emerged ( even just a bit more centrist!) then Labour would win the next election for sure.
The problem is... how would he/ she be chosen, given that Momentum is leading the way and many who used to be called Militant are now in the LP ( all the types that Neil Kinnock managed to get rid of.)

Whispers are - it's Thornberry who could be the chosen one after this chosen one stands down , yet would Momentum allow it considering she supported Milliband , could be she has travelled the road to Damascus and switched from left of centre to far left, or, she can easily become whatever gets her the leadership

Annie - I think you should get involved in your local politics. You could go far

I think the main problem with Emily Thornberry is that she is part of the inner London clique - the type of person who seems to sneer at the LP core vote - remember the white van and the flag of St George incident?
In order to win an election the LP needs a unifying leader with wide appeal - across the whole country, across age groups & across social classes - and I don't think Momentum candidates can do that. Hailed as the first Momentum MP was Jared O'Mara - and what a disaster that's been.

Corbyn is a breath of fresh air. He’s certainly grown in leadership terms since his election. He would make a great PM.

No, more like a whiff of halitosis

Now there’s a well thought out and reasoned argument ?

I've been persuaded that Emily Thornberry is becoming a stronger and more well informed debater. The white van issue led to her leaving Ed Milliband's team and overshadowed her abilities. We need an effective opposition and she's contributing to that imo.

I was impressed with Emily Thornberry yesterday - especially making a joke against herself. Those who probably didn't expect to be in their positions on the opposition front bench thankfully lack the sense of entitlement that comes from the benches opposite and seem to be working very hard and often appear to have a much more in depth view of their brief than those in the cabinet doing the job.

I expect to see Gavin Williamson do much the same on the Government side. Missing a generation seems to be good for Parliamentary democracy.

We seem to have a lot of good people on the labour team these days. Thornberry, Starmer, Benn, Williamson, etc.

Pity Benn was pushed to the back benches

ET was certainly far more adept than Damien Green yesterday. I can't decide if that's because she's good, or because he's weak.

Damien Green is not a good speaker Primrose and never has been.

Here is the full list of the Shadow Cabinet:

Chancellor - John McDonnell
Foreign Secretary - Emily Thornberry
Deputy Leader, Culture Media and Sport - Tom Watson
Home Secretary - Diane Abbott
Lord President of the Council, Cabinet Office - Jon Trickett
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy - Rebecca Long-Bailey
Education - Angela Rayner
International Development - Kate Osamor
Exiting the European Union - Keir Starmer
Justice, Lord Chancellor - Richard Burgon
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Sue Hayman
Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs - Cat Smith
Leader of the House of Lords - Angela Smith
Leader of the House of Commons - Valerie Vaz
Housing - John Healey
Lords Opposition Chief Whip - Lord Bassam of Brighton
Work and Pensions - Debbie Abrahams
Health - Jonathan Ashworth
Women and Equalities - Sarah Champion
Communities and Local Government - Andrew Gwynne (New)
Diverse Communities - Dawn Butler
Secretary to the Treasury - Peter Dowd
Wales - Christina Rees
Northern Ireland - Owen Smith (New)
Scotland - Lesley Laird (New)
Party Chair - Ian Lavery (New)
Transport - Andy McDonald
Chief Whip - Nick Brown
Defence - Nia Griffith
Attorney General - Shami Chakrabarti
International Trade - Barry Gardiner
Mental Health and Social Care - Barbara Keeley
Home affairs - Chris Williamson
The Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration Gloria de Piero
Front Bench as Shadow Environment Secretary Rachael Maskell

Not sure if this is up to date but that’s an impressive list.