The BBC 1 'Prime Minister' debate

[MrGongGong]

But the power of Momentum behind the scenes is what frightens many. How many of JC's gestures / words / ideas are generated by them?

Much as I am no fan of Corbyn I fail to see why so many folks are so scared of the Momentum movement.
It simply is lots of people working together but not necesarily using the established ways of doing things.
So lots of predominantly young people get energised and involved in politics and this is a bad thing?

Given that (from folks I know who are part of this) the overwhelming majority of Momentum folks DON'T want the UK to leave the UK their supposed "control" of the Labour party seems a bit tenuous.
I don't find them any more frightening than the old boys network that many MPs are part of. At least ANYONE can join.

[eighthobstruction]

Much as I am no fan of Corbyn I fail to see why so many folks are so scared of the Momentum movement.
It simply is lots of people working together but not necesarily using the established ways of doing things.
So lots of predominantly young people get energised and involved in politics and this is a bad thing?

Given that (from folks I know who are part of this) the overwhelming majority of Momentum folks DON'T want the UK to leave the UK their supposed "control" of the Labour party seems a bit tenuous.
I don't find them any more frightening than the old boys network that many MPs are part of. At least ANYONE can join.

....yep....

[eighthobstruction]

Very probably, none. He is, as ever, very much his own mensch.

....yep....

[Maclintick]

Much as I am no fan of Corbyn I fail to see why so many folks are so scared of the Momentum movement.

I'm scared of MOMENTUM because it begins with the letter M & has exactly the same number of letters as MILITANT, which all but destroyed any hope of repulsing Thatcherism in the early 80s -- with apologies for being old enough to have such a memory....& I don't approve of parties within parties...

[Bella Kemp]

Don't think I specifically fingered JC as a Marxist in that post, as it were, though his nostalgia for Clause IV, expressed as a wish for its reinstatement certainly identifies him as one sympathetic to the cause -- if it walks like a duck, & quacks like a duck etc, then the odds are that it's a duck. I have problematic issues when it comes to the idea of him running the country, based on his current stance on certain issues and his voting record in Parliament.

I rather like the idea of JC as a duck leading a bunch of quackers who have infiltrated the Labour Party and turned it quackers. But now, alas, I become serious because we have never needed an effective and viable opposition so much as now and the indulgent radical goons who now comprise the leadership of the Labour Party - my party - are simply not fit to govern.

[MrGongGong]

I'm scared of MOMENTUM because it begins with the letter M & has exactly the same number of letters as MILITANT, which all but destroyed any hope of repulsing Thatcherism in the early 80s -- with apologies for being old enough to have such a memory....& I don't approve of parties within parties...

"She was drowned in the sea.... sea ? yes C for Catwoman"

IMV those folks who are part of the Momentum thing seem much more credible than the rest of the Labour party
it's a shame that they are stuck with the idiot Corbyn

[Tony Halstead]

"She was drowned in the sea.... sea ? yes C for Catwoman"

IMV those folks who are part of the Momentum thing seem much more credible than the rest of the Labour party
it's a shame that they are stuck with the idiot Corbyn

Is there a mechanism by which JC can be replaced?

[Maclintick]

Absolutely worth doing though - any PM/Cabinet elect should get as much exposure as possible.

Back to BoJo (sorry) and the other Jeremy. Normally I'd agree with your view here, JLW, as in, for example, the obnoxious views of Nick Griffin being brought into the light, exposed & shredded on "Question Time". What worries me in the current scenario is the absolutely unprecedented level and duration of media coverage such as would only normally be expected in a General Election -- the entire 24-hour news cycle subordinated to a question which ultimately depends on a minuscule and self-selected proportion of the population -- the sheer volume and persistence of media noise encouraging a perception that the coronation of "King Boris" or whomever, represents a democratic choice. The subliminal message that this incessant media frenzy sends is that the British People have already elected their Prime Minister, and thus plays into the hands of Tory strategists.

[teamsaint]

Is there a mechanism by which JC can be replaced?

Yes, but he keeps getting elected with huge majorities by the party members.

[Maclintick]

Is there a mechanism by which JC can be replaced?

Yes, by a leadership election, which he has won twice...his legitimacy as Labour leader is not in question.

[Serial_Apologist]

Yes, but he keeps getting elected with huge majorities by the party members.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm scared of MOMENTUM because it begins with the letter M & has exactly the same number of letters as MILITANT, which all but destroyed any hope of repulsing Thatcherism in the early 80s -- with apologies for being old enough to have such a memory....& I don't approve of parties within parties...

EVERY political party has parties within them - usually known as tendencies, or factions when it all gets a bit tendentious. Well, maybe not the LibDems...

[Bryn]

EVERY political party has parties within them - usually known as tendencies, or factions when it all gets a bit tendentious. Well, maybe not the LibDems...

The local Tory Party branch for the constituency I live in has recently had its ranks swelled by 'ex' UKIPpers and Brexit Party members. Result; the People's Vote supporting MP has had a vote of no confidence passed against him.

[Maclintick]

EVERY political party has parties within them.

Sorry this bores you S_A. Some political parties may have different groupings, or committees, under various umbrella headings, but not to the extent of identifying themselves as a distinct organisation. Party rules allow for affiliates.

[Conchis]

This week, I've had some painters in, decorating my living-room and landing. The two men doing the work were both ex-army. In socio-economic terms, they would probably be described as 'C2'.

They had tattoos on their arms and had obviously seen some rough stuff in the past but neither were particularly sweary. But when they were listening to the news and Corbyn's name was mentioned, one of them said 'I fucking hate that man'. The comment seemed to be instinctive. I didn't feel comfortable asking him to enlarge on why he 'hated that man', but the fact that Corbyn - a politician without effective political power - arouses such strong negative feelings in people who should be his natural constituency does not augur well.

My next door neighbour has said much the same thing recently. And earlier this evening, I had dinner with a woman of 78 who would probably be classed as C1. She said she fears Brexit, but fears a Corbyn-led government more.

Corbyn clearly has a problem if he is failing to get through to people like this in times like these.....