to think that the far left of the Labour Party are doing themselves no favours

[Ohbehave1]

Diane Abbott saying that Chairman Mao did more good than harm.

John McDonnell threw a copy of Maos little read book across the despatch box and said the George Osborne should take a leaf out of Moas book.

Since when has a person who murdered or caused the starvation of over 60 million people been a good man?

Cosying up to China's disgusting regime is an appalling act by the Conservative party.

Which is exactly why we need a decent opposition that will call them to account.

Sadly, we have got a bunch of loonies running the Labour party right now.

I hope you all like having a Tory government, because I am afraid we are all stuck with them for the next 20 years at this rate.

Thenewstatesman. Sadly "costing up to China" is the only way some businesses will stay in business. At least the Tories are doing it for sound business reasons, unlike the Labour Party who would do so because of their left wing views.

unlike the Labour Party who would do so because of their left wing views

The myth that the Labour party now has communist leanings is exactly that - a myth.

And as for the Tories and their sound business reasons - these normally involve a fair amount of cronyism and the lining of each others' pockets - as in the case of their plans to gradually convert all Local Authority run schools to academies. They don't look forward either in terms of planning - what do we do once everything is sold off and we are literally owned by the private corporations of other countries?? Who will look after our interests then. Apparently one or Osborne's latest plans is to sell off the Land Registry.

of not or

petition link if anyone is interested

@ AuntieStella. Actually the current Chinese Communist party is Maoist.

Hu Jia, one of the most outspoken political dissidents still living in mainland China, agreed with the shadow chancellor.

Similarities between China’s former dictator and its current highly authoritarian leader, Xi Jinping, meant the Little Red Book would serve as a good guide to contemporary Chinese politics.

“We call Xi ‘Mao Jinping’ or ‘Xi Zedong,’” Hu said.

“I don’t know much about British politics. But as a Chinese person, I can tell you that Xi Jinping is a big Maoist, both in ideological terms and in how he tries to control Chinese society,” the dissident added.

I don't see why Jeremy Corbyn should kiss the Queen's hand. Or care that somebody threw a red book. But it's the constant squabbling among themselves and their petty addiction to rule this and sub clause that. They are making themselves look like idiots.

Lifelong labour supporter here (dallied with lib dem once and swore never again) will NOT be voting for them in the next election if Corbyn still leader. I'm in a 'safe' labour seat but think it could well not be next time round.

The Corbyn supporters are starting to make moderate Tories look reasonable and I'm that I could think that. I feel sorry for all the labour moderates in the party and in the cabinet right now.

I hate listening to them disagree with each other although it's heartening that there's still some sane ones left. The Labour shenanigans make the Tories' line sound cohesive and coherent. I find it disconcerting that I'm more likely to swear at the radio in response to a Corbyn quote than a "Call me Dave" quote.

I wouldn't characterise China as Maoist, certainly not since the days of Deng Xiaoping. Though of course it's not been written out of a number of formal documents, the country is not run on Maoist lines.

And people could probably cherry-pick all sorts of Chinese commentators who support their views on the nature of Chinese politics (which is in itself a major change since the days of Mao, though there is still a risk if you go too far).

Very bad joke by John McDonnell with the little red book. I just don't understand the blind spot some people seem to have vis a vis Chairman Mao. Jung Chang's biography of him is interesting and upsetting reading. As someone said upthread, it could be understandable a few decades ago, but not any more. Contemporary China is not like Chairman Mao's regime, though it is still a deplorable regime.

yes and no

no some are making themselves look foolish

yes it is highlighting the split within the party and making Corbyn look like an incompetent leader which he is

and that will hopefully lead to him resigning or a challenge being made to his leadership - the sooner the better for Labour to be taken seriously as an opposition party that can win the next election and have a PM that can lead this country

"As someone said upthread, it could be understandable a few decades ago, but not any more."

Agree with that. But I suspect McDonnell, Corbyn and many of their supporters have been living in an out-of-touch, self-confirming 70s bubble for a long time now, which is why they make these gaffes.

Well we all knew JC would only be leader for a few years when we voted for him. I think the Labour MP rebels look daft atm. They can challenge him a a few years as was the long term plan, instead of this nonsense. The press are unsettled at a leader listening to the public.

If anyone thinks the press are to blame for the image of McConnell, Corbyn, Abbott and Livingstone they are in denial.

I have listened first hand to their very real gaffes in context and made my own mind up.

Some policy points I agree with.

I don't,t want a NI style shoot to kill policy but how badly handledmwas JC's response to the French massacres? (I am not looking for a reply on that!)
I am right behind McDonnell when he wants to give a proper rebuttal of industrial policy. But he is no comedian.

Taken overall this gang of four are appalling ( and vote losers.)

It's not the Labour Party - it's the twisted way everything gets reported.

As it goes, I am not a fan of Diane Abbot but if anyone bothers to read the context instead of just accepting/imagining she was really saying he was "a good man" then they'd know the truth (which is that she didn't say that at all).

I find it very sad that any reference to anything vaguely socialist causes so much rabid screeching - no-one's saying "Mao is/was good" or advocating his dictatorial tactics (eg State murder).

It's a good way to distract us from the State sanctioned murder of Syrians they're all about to undertake allegedly on our behalf though.

I do think that those Labour Party members who aren't happy with Corbyn should either leave and set up another party or force a change. Corbyn has a mandate on paper but internal opposition is causing the Party problems.

Interesting how extensive the reporting of Labour splits over the bombing is - the media seems to have forgotten there are Tories against it.

It's cheaper than buying from Europe (even including freight charges)

And yet we apparently face a climate change crisis. How in the name of fuck can it make any sense (in any other sense than lining the pockets of rich people) to have stuff made on the other side of world by badly exploited workers and then burn millions of tone of fossil fuels getting it here?

Zen may I ask who you find sane? I've been calmed by the presence of Hilary Benn!

gang of four - clever nod to the cultural revolution there Enasharpleshairnet!

Labour are in an impossible situation. The grass roots likes Corbyn. The parliamentary members realise that he has no chance with the general electorate.

Corbyn may be a nice guy, he may be a principled guy. He is not a leader. At least not in the conventional sense of the word. He just goes his own way and does his own thing. He does not engage with those who disagree with him, he does not make the running, he does not do anything to use the media to his advantage. A leader needs to lead. And to lead from the front. He needs to engage. It's hard, it's not always fun, but he signed up for the job and now he needs to buck up and do it.

Perhaps Labour should split. The left of the party go their way and the right merge with what is left of the LibDems?

Meanwhile, weak opposition makes the Tories lazy. We would all be better off if the opposition was robust and keeping them on their toes. Keen competition would make them raise their game.

It is the Labour Party.

MPs are meant to represent their voters not the party activists.

Ian Duncan Smith is v popular with Tory members apparently. I also suppose many Tory activists were weeping over Osborne's U turn while the average voter thought it was about time too.

The press are unsettled at a leader listening to the public. Excellent point Howto - actually I think it's not just the press - it's a lot of the politicians too.

Corbyn doesn't even have a hope of convincing some life long labour votes to vote for him - I've always voted labour in every election but I'll not vote labour with him as leader. I'm one of the blairite traitors I suppose. The Mao thing was so obviously going to be misinterpreted, typical of their lack of talent.

Well, I wasn't born yesterday DrDre. I may even look a bit too much like my namesake these days.

A leader who listens!

Is he listening to the public of Oldham? Cancelled a visit I think.

I'd consider voting Labour for the first time since 1997 if Corbyn is still leader next time - Blair followed a far too Thatcherite agenda in the end and Millband was Tories lite.

I had to vote green last time.

I realise I'm not in step with a lot of the nation in fairness.

Wasonthelist that was honest, my blood pressure thanks you!

I don't give a fig on Maoist apologists anyway.(I can see I would if I were Chinese.) No, Abbott was talking to Adam Boulton on Syria this week and was all about the membership,s voice being heard. Democracy is surely about the voters being heard.