To think that Hilary Benn should

[Sallyingforth]

take over as Labour leader right now.
He has time to rebuild the party into a credible opposition before the next election. With Corbyn in charge the Tories will walk it.

I've just watched his speech - it was impressive. There was a good piece in the Guardian here - where they quoted Wilson who said that Tony Benn immatured with age, and made the point that Hillary seems to be maturing. It'll be fascinating to see how it pans out in the Party.

Yes, yes, impassioned speech. He is Tory-lite. No thanks.

At least Corbyn isn't one of those Labour people who aren't actually Labour at all.

YABU.

Corbyn's voice is the most humane and genuinely intelligent voice heard prominently in politics for many, many years.

His approach tends not to favour very powerful people, though. So he'll be out soon and you may well get your wish.

I have no idea why everyone thinks Benn's speech was so great. It was full of predictable, war-mongering, macho cliches.

Funny to still see the patronising sneery cements from the labour posters.

I think you mean Corbynites.

If Corbyn remains as leader, I might vote Labour next time for the first time since 1997, but not if there's been a Bennite Tory-lite takeover,and certainly not for Andy Burnham who I hold in contempt over ID cards and mid-Staffs among a range of other offences.

His father was vehemently anti war.
The idea he would be proud of that speech is ridiculous.
It reminded me very much a blairs speech before the Iraq war. Not surprising I suppose...he is a blairite, as are those labour MPs who voted yes.

The idea that he would be ashamed of his son for acting sincerely is snide and revolting.

If Anthony Wedgewood Benn was half the man he purported to be he would honour his son for standing up for his beliefs, even though they differed from his own. That is true democracy.

Good to see an unknown Hillary Benn emerging from the shadow of that old windbag.

I actually found Margaret Beckett's speech the most persuasive.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2015/12/meeting-young-architects-who-are-shortlisted-turner-prize

Wouldn't vote for him or labour, if he were leader.

It was a great speech but I don't think he'd be a good leader.

Jeremy Corbyn is unelectable. Len McCluskey needs to keep out of leadership elections. It's bad for labour and for Labour if the Tories have no credible opposition.

Well, I don't think we can really comment on parental pride on this basis.

But here's a quote from Tony Benn, anyway:

“There is no moral difference between a stealth bomber and a suicide bomber. Both kill innocent people for political reasons.”

I don't know about his other policies but I'd certainly trust Benn over Corbyn on foreign policy on this evidence, Corbyn and not the Blairites is skewering the party. Let's remember that only 'blairites' have ever been able to make any changes by getting elected. And YY to the people saying that it's a hurtful slur to suggest Benn would be ashamed/disown etc his own son for this speech, it's a cruel and personal attack to even suggest it.

Strawberry

Yes you are right. Reminded me of the nasty slurs from militant tendency to us main
Streamers in the 80s.

Corbyn is weak and totally unelectable but then lots of these new labour members are either quite happy with being in opposition or Tories.

Julian Lewis gave a succinct, persuasive argument. Pity that being Chair of the defence select committee he couldn't have more sway.

I admire Corbyn he is the voice of the people for me. In the face of a gleefully shitstirring media who should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, and Labour MPs who are Tory today & mildly Labour tomorrow..no guts or principles completely self-serving. Corbyn was never going to be popular with the higher-ups, was he? The man was elected as leader and already there are calls for theTory sympathiser Benn to take over? Based on what credentials, exactly?

Benn as leader I will never vote for Labour ever again.

That piece about architecture has really influenced my opinion!

I cannot fathom the remarks about his father turning in his grave etc, it is ridiculous.
Anyone coming out with this needs to take a long look at themselves.

He spoke well and, I don't doubt, honestly. He didn't persuade me.

I assume Jeremy Corbyn is sincere too but "genuinely intelligent" I'm really struggling to see.

Yes unfortunately though ISIS won't listen when you tell them to
Play nicely.

And that quite from Tony Benn is preposterous isn't it.

MistressDeeCee exactly how I feel.

Reminded me of the nasty slurs from militant tendency to us main
Streamers in the 80s

Perhaps I'm lucky (??) that I can't remember anything as nasty as the current whatever-it-is Hiho. But I'm not leaving the party because of an influx of unpleasant people determined to make us unelectable and insult everyone in the process .

Stubborn I'll give you.

It took guts and principles to make Benn's speech and wasn't at all self-serving. Why would you call someone self serving and unprincipled just because they happen to disagree with you?

Cruel and personal maybe - still true!

Aside from the slating of DC for calling the non warmongers and war profiteers 'terrorist sympathisers' it was disgusting!

A blairite and therefore not a true socialist not a true labour person.

Absolutely would not vote labour if her were leader.

Also there seems to be an assumption that all of us that are anti air strike are pacifist anti action. That's not true. A lot of people I've spoken to and on fb etc feel that it's an ill considered poorly planned action! Not that we shouldn't take action but that there are other ways to do so.

Mistress

Voice of what people exactly?

He doesn't speak for me. Or actually any of the longstanding labour voters I know.

Been there gone that with michael foot.