How much worse can it get ...??

[LMcD]

So, Labour under Starmer has proved it has no cojones by caving in to the blackmailers.

This has to join the Murdoch supremacy as the two most glaringly obvious examples of the moral bankruptsy of present-day political leadership in the western world, and the sycophants who keep its wheels and their spinners well oiled.

It's hard to imagine how much lower we can go. What a mockery to all those who fought to secure democracy, the vote, civil and human rights. I predict a mass exodus of Labour Party membership as people choose not to have their subs used for paying off the story tellers.

For what it's worth, I know that I'm not alone in thinking of voting Labour for the first time in ages, and that's not just because it's probably the only way to get rid of Johnson and company.. (Now, where did I put that tin hat?)

[Joseph K]

So, Labour under Starmer has proved it has no cojones by caving in to the blackmailers.

This has to join the Murdoch supremacy as the two most glaringly obvious examples of the moral bankruptsy of present-day political leadership in the western world, and the sycophants who keep its wheels and their spinners well oiled.

It's hard to imagine how much lower we can go. What a mockery to all those who fought to secure democracy, the vote, civil and human rights. I predict a mass exodus of Labour Party membership as people choose not to have their subs used for paying off the story tellers.

I had a call today from a Labour Party member trying to persuade me not to leave...

[LMcD]

I had a call today from a Labour Party member trying to persuade me not to leave...

That's funny, because I had a call from a friend of mine, a long-time and formerly active member of the Labour party, who's changed her mind about leaving.

[Joseph K]

I think this article sums up the situation quite well: https://jacobinmag.com/2020/06/keir-...NOTQuW3WTjVGXI

[Serial_Apologist]

That's funny, because I had a call from a friend of mine, a long-time and formerly active member of the Labour party, who's changed her mind about leaving.

Literally since posting my past message, Labour has lost it's majority on Brighton council over, according to the BBC news just now, allegations that two of its councillors who have resigned posted on emails containing antisemitic comments. One antisemite in the Labour Party is one too many, just as one paedophile in a church or one racist in the police; but I like many others including leading Jews of good repute am convinced that for ulterior reasons antisemitism has been given a wider meaning than originally defined to exaggerate its presence. Normally the alarm bells would be ringing - no smoke without fire etc etc - this just rings false, and it is no wonder (to me) that apart from one lid-raising documentary from Al Jazeera not one broadcasing organisation has the moral courage to do an in-depth investigation that is impartial into all this.

[Serial_Apologist]

I think this article sums up the situation quite well: https://jacobinmag.com/2020/06/keir-...NOTQuW3WTjVGXI

Thanks for this, Joseph.

You know the excuse people will give: racism in the Conservatives is an entirely different issue!

I just don't know how the balance is to be redressed to allow the general public a proper look-in.

[johnb]

It's curious how sensible, well balanced people can reach radically different conclusions. For myself I thank the heavens that Corbyn and his clique are no longer running the Labour party and that, at long last, it might be considered by voters as a suitable party to form a government.

I'm even thinking of rejoining.

I've no wish to get into an argument - just pointing out that there are alternative views.

[Serial_Apologist]

It's curious how sensible, well balanced people can reach radically different conclusions. For myself I thank the heavens that Corbyn and his clique are no longer running the Labour party and that, at long last, it might be considered by voters as a suitable party to form a government.

I'm even thinking of rejoining.

I've no wish to get into an argument - just pointing out that there are alternative views.

OK - I just wonder on what you base your re-thinking...

One just hopes there'll still be enough as think as you do, apart from on this issue, left in the party to stop it moving further to the right.

[Dave2002]

So, Labour under Starmer has proved it has no cojones by caving in to the blackmailers.

I just wonder what in particular you are referring to here.

[Serial_Apologist]

I just wonder what in particular you are referring to here.

The whole issue alleging antisemitism being permitted under Corbyn by previous supporters of Blair has been well enough ventilated in this forum not to need the arguments re-stating. However as a sophisticated, well informed man, you will find all you need to know in the link Joseph posted on #65.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I'm wondering - we're Momentum, Mc Luskey and their fellow travellers offering to pay the costs of continuing the defence, higher damages (because not settled) and greater adverse costs. Or was the labour party budget, including my (minor) sub expected to meet it come what may?

[Dave2002]

The whole issue alleging antisemitism being permitted under Corbyn by previous supporters of Blair has been well enough ventilated in this forum not to need the arguments re-stating. However as a sophisticated, well informed man, you will find all you need to know in the link Joseph posted on #65.

I just wondered if Starmer had said something particularly striking today and controversial at PMQs - or anywhere else recently - though Johnson as usual got angry and indulged in deviation. He obviously thinks that if he shouts and waves his fists around long enough it'll be effective - and sadly I think he might have a point, but it's not a way to behave.

What else can you expect from someone [for clarity, BJ] who has made untrue and racist comments in the past, but thinks he can accuse everyone else? "Not me guv!"

[Serial_Apologist]

I just wondered if Starmer had said something particularly striking today and controversial at PMQs - or anywhere else recently - though Johnson as usual got angry and indulged in deviation. He obviously thinks that if he shouts and waves his fists around long enough it'll be effective - and sadly I think he might have a point, but it's not a way to behave.

What else can you expect from someone [for clarity, BJ] who has made untrue and racist comments in the past, but thinks he can accuse everyone else? "Not me guv!"

[Joseph K]

Yes - and those who all of a sudden find themselves able to oppose Johnson now Corbyn's off the scene.

[LHC]

So, Labour under Starmer has proved it has no cojones by caving in to the blackmailers.

This has to join the Murdoch supremacy as the two most glaringly obvious examples of the moral bankruptsy of present-day political leadership in the western world, and the sycophants who keep its wheels and their spinners well oiled.

It's hard to imagine how much lower we can go. What a mockery to all those who fought to secure democracy, the vote, civil and human rights. I predict a mass exodus of Labour Party membership as people choose not to have their subs used for paying off the story tellers.

Or it could be that, having already seen the EHRC report on anti-semitism in Labour (which it appears is likely to be damning) Starmer decided that refusing to settle this case would do nothing for Labour’s reputation, and would simply ensure that it would continue to be viewed as institutionally racist. I also wouldn’t trust McCluskey’s legal opinions; his refusal to settle the Anna Turley case cost Unite £75k in damages and potentially £1m in legal costs.

Still after Corbyn’s ill-advised comments yesterday, it appears you will still get your chance to see the whistleblowers in Court, as it seems they and John Ware are now going to sue him for libel.