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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be ashamed of the Labour Party leadership

956 replies

20nil · 11/02/2017 21:43

Long term member, did not support Corbyn, but even I am surprised by quite how bad he's been.

Where is the opposition? I get that Brexit is difficult, but where is Labour on the collapse of the NHS, the explosion of homelessness, the decimation of local council funding and the ticking bomb that is school funding?

Why is it that we now look to the Lords, the Cof E and petitions to be the opposition?

Shocking state of affairs.

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 11/02/2017 22:49

Member here too and in despair. Don't get me started on Diane Abbott.

We have so many talented people. Grr.

OllyBJolly · 11/02/2017 22:50

I am a lifelong Labour supporter and voted for Corbyn. I live in Scotland and do have other choices. I've argued vehemently against these "choices" in recent years.

The PLP have done their best to make sure Corbyn has failed. The members wanted change and the PLP resisted. They would rather see the Labour Party fall than fight the most right government since Thatcher. The result is that we have little opposition and the govt have carte blanche to do whatever they want. I honestly believe that the only leader the PLP will accept -and therefore allow to lead- will be someone who abandons values and principles in favour of preserving seats. Have we learned nothing from the Trump win, where the support was for electable Clinton and unelectable Sanders?

I am so close to quitting the party. So close.

OllyBJolly · 11/02/2017 22:50

Right wing government not right government FFS!

Rugbyplayersarehot · 11/02/2017 22:53

Absolutlry. With all his faults Blaire recognised that labour needed to at least appear to care about the vast majority of working/middle class voters. Unfortunately 9/11 happened and Blaire lost his marbles up George Bushes arse.

Brown was an arrogant twat and I honestly mark the demise of labour and the rise of UKIP on the campaign trail when he accused that lady of being a racist.

Then unbelievably they appointed the ridiculous Ed and now Corbyn.

If the tories could be like Carling and do labour they would have chosen those two.

Fucking disgraceful. Abbott a hypocrite and a self publicist and treacherous and Thornbury a total patronising twat. I can't be bothered to mention Corbyn he's too pathetic and I am too angry at the state of my party.

Original poster
20nil · 11/02/2017 22:55

Oh yes, much more concerned for the w/c people too, but know how difficult it is for people who have dedicated their life to Labour to witness what is going on in their name.

OP posts:
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 11/02/2017 22:56

The members wanted change and the PLP resisted. They would rather see the Labour Party fall than fight the most right government since Thatcher.

Completely disagree.

Lots of people including Labour members said he would be a disaster before he was voted in. He is just that.

He doesn't lead. Just read the account after account of frustrations with him by members of the PLP that resigned.

He maybe popular with the membership however he isn't and never has been even as a back bencher, popular with the wider electorate. It is them that Labour need to convince and it isn't and never will happen under Corbyn.

SingaSong12 · 11/02/2017 22:57

I moved away from Labour when Miliband was elected and even further away with Corbyn. I don't know the man, not come across him before he be and leader. I have heard he is nice enough. He might even have some good policies but I don't think he can lead his party or be a pretty competent leader of the opposition which Miliband at least managed better.

I hate what the tories are doing but actually this is bigger than that.

The country always needs a competent opposition. At least some of the policies or implementation of policies of any government will be wrong and must be challenged. I can only imagine what Blair or Thatcher would have done in opposition with idea that Brexit was just going to happen whatever way the government decided. Either would have torn apart a woeful lack of organisation on the NHS/social care (though in reality that is probably the fault of all governments over many years.)

Rugbyplayersarehot · 11/02/2017 23:03

Mmm to be honest a nice man and a true Labour Party supporter would have recognised that he was never leader material. He spent all his life defying the whip ffs.

If he had a shred of humility he would piss off as would Abbott but neither care a shiny shite about the party or working people they just care about their careers. Clearly

citybushisland · 11/02/2017 23:03

I like him, I like many of his principles, I don't think he's a good leader. He's an activist, a really good one but that's not what he's supposed to be doing, he needs to stand down now.

KERALA1 · 11/02/2017 23:03

The speaker, Archbishop of Canterbury and petitions are doing what the opposition should be doing. Ineffectual and as pp said a protestor not a leader. Don't have anyone to vote for now.

Rugbyplayersarehot · 11/02/2017 23:05

And massive massive egos.

Wait until the 2 upcoming bi ejections and see a tories and ukip triumph.

And what's his response to the NHS crisis? Fuck all.

Original poster
20nil · 11/02/2017 23:06

Not the fault of the PLP that Corbyn is shit. He is shit and so is his team. The PLP didn't stop him campaigning properly on Brexit. He did that.

I'm on the left of the Party and think most people in this country are decent people who are being shafted at the moment. Corbyn has made no effort to bring them in, to bring anyone in really, apart from the SWP and other factions. Whatever you think of his principles, he is a shit leader. A disaster. As for DA, JMc and Seamus Milne, I honestly don't know how they sleep at night. They are contributing to the ruin of this country and actual people's lives.

OP posts:
TabithaBethia · 11/02/2017 23:07

I am in despair, and I voted for Corbyn twice Sad. The scales have fallen from my eyes...In fairness I don't think Owen Smith was a credible replacement.

Who do we have instead?

It's woeful that we seem to be sleepwalking into Brexit with this hateful government at the helm.

Rugbyplayersarehot · 11/02/2017 23:07

Agree op

WhirlwindHugs · 11/02/2017 23:09

The problem isn't that Labour aren't supporting him. So many of Labour's MPs have taken roles on his front bench because they want to do exactly that support him in creating a party the public is excited over - and end up quiting months later because they end up in untenable positions.

That's bad leadership, pure and simple. He needs to keep the party together, he needs bums on seats looking like they are together even if they aren't. Theresa May is managing to do that even though the Tories have hugely divergent attitudes on Brexit etc. But Corbyn isn't that kind of person and so he's never going to be able to do that. He is not right for the job.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 11/02/2017 23:10

Who do we have instead?

Quite a few. Dan Jarvis for one. In fact anyone but a 'Corbynite'

Original poster
20nil · 11/02/2017 23:15

Whoever is next has to be a non-Blair era person and a non Oxbridge career politician type. They are there, but I think are biding their time. Not much point standing just now as the membership might well continue to back JC.

OP posts:
Lalsy · 11/02/2017 23:21

I want a leader who wants to win seats. People who hinted at that at my last branch meeting often lost votes.

ChristmasFluff · 11/02/2017 23:21

Haven't read the whole thread. You do know why Labour lost last time? You know why Brexit happened? Because Labour stopped speaking for working people and started talking for people who really belong in other parties. People who have convinced the masses to vote against their own interests. Blair pandered to Rupert Murdoch, and there has literally been no choice when it has come to voting, until Corbyn. He, like Dennis Skinner and Tony Benn, really has the interests of working people at heart.

But hey, go believe what the media barons tell you. It's not like they have any interest in you voting for the same old same old.

Original poster
20nil · 11/02/2017 23:23

Ok, what's he doing for w/c people? Tell me one thing. NHS? Education? Brexit?

OP posts:
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 11/02/2017 23:24

there has literally been no choice when it has come to voting, until Corbyn

There still is literally no choice.

He is a disaster. He will lose Labour lots of seats.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 11/02/2017 23:25

But hey, go believe what the media barons tell you.

Yep because that's what everyone who doesn't think that Corbyn is wonderful do rolls eyes

user1484578224 · 11/02/2017 23:27

People are mistaking the fact he's a decent bloke who'd remember he owed you a drink in the pub and ignoring the fact he is a completely crap leader.

he aint no decent bloke and he doesn't do pubs.

Lalsy · 11/02/2017 23:29

He is now less popular among Labour voters than May is. How can he fight for working people when the party faces electoral catastrophe?

Yes, I know polls can be wrong. Not that wrong.

minsmum · 11/02/2017 23:30

I am not a Labour party member have always voted for them but will not do so again. I work for a local authority and voted remain and no longer believe they, the party represent me or have anything to offer. I wouldn't vote for Labour now even if the leadership changed