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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Labour will have to split and start again?

38 replies

Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/05/2017 15:09

I'm not going to rehash the disastrous local election results as I imagine we've all seen them by now, but it seems to be increasingly clear that we now have no effective main opposition party

Even as someone who (usually though not always) votes Conservative I think this is disastrous as surely proper opposition to those in power is the best safeguard against extremism - something I loathe no matter where it comes from. We've also now got millions of perfectly decent people who probably feel totally unrepresented, which can be no good thing either

So what's the best way forward? If as it seems Labour are completely unelectable, and if those running the show are unable or unwilling to listen, is it time for those who favour more mainstream politics to split from the party and start something completely new?

OP posts:
lucydogz · 05/05/2017 17:41

I agree with all the totally valid comments about who would retain Labour's funds and organisation. I've seen today how an efficient party machinery can mobilise support for a piss poor Metro mayor candidate in the South West to the extent that she was not far off winning.
But having seen 2 rank outsiders destroy the political main parties in France, i think a new party could have stood a chance.

StripeyZazie · 05/05/2017 17:47

I think it's a reasonable suggestion OP. It could be one way forward.

But I think it's more likely that some small rump,will remain and a new political force emerge to fill the vacuum. Just like the Whigs turned into Liberals and the Liberals whithered with the rise of the Labour Party, so Labour turned into New Labour and will wither into a small party that sometimes punches above it's weight, sometimes does nothing much at all.

Not sure what's coming in it's place though. There might be some kind of populist movement if mass automation leads to mass unemployment and poverty. Round a "Citizen's Wage" type movement.

Or it could be a progressive vs conservative rather than left vs right political axis.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/05/2017 18:02

But I think it's more likely that some small rump,will remain and a new political force emerge to fill the vacuum

I agree that's the most likely scenario, but then of course it raises the issue of who the unions would support ... after all, they gave us "the wrong Ed" and then Corbyn and look where that's got us Hmm

As I've said, what I want most of all is a proper opposition and we just haven't got one

OP posts:
NightWanderer · 05/05/2017 18:11

Its funny so many people mention David Milliband. I saw an interview with him recently and he came across really well.

The leader makes such a difference, Labour were dead for a long time before Blair. Ukip is dead now Farage has gone. Labour needs someone moderate and charismatic.

Sostenueto · 05/05/2017 18:51

I feel desolate. There is no party to speak for me. I have always followed politics as much as possible, but now I don't even want to turn the TV on as I know labour as it currently is, is finished. I never thought I would see the day that happened. All I think about now is the poor, the minimum wage workers like my daughter on zero contracts struggling to pay exhorbitant private rents because there are no council houses, trying to give her daughter a chance in life being thwarted at every turn. There will be no NHS within 10 years and a 3 tier education system. I feel as Britain is no longer great and May is going to he far worse than Thatcher, all the working class will be in the gutter. Only money talks in our society now and I don't want to be part of that society.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/05/2017 20:15

www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/may/04/council-local-general-election-mayoral-results-england-scotland-wales

Corbyn: "We lost seats but we are closing the gap on the Conservatives"

Somebody please tell me this can't be true ... is it really possible he can be this deluded??

OP posts:
GloGirl · 05/05/2017 20:22

I don't like him but he isn't that deluded. I'm sure he's just playing the game till they get trounced in June and he steps down.

lottieandmia · 05/05/2017 20:26

I've usually always voted Labour but I agree they are currency not electable. I think we're going to have another 5 years of a hard right conservative government as much as it pains me to say so (mother of severely disabled child)

BaffledMummy · 05/05/2017 20:30

David Milliband will be back....the temptation to do what his brother couldn't, after he stabbed him in the back, I'll bet would be a big motivator. He will bring Labour back to the centre and ultimately make them electable again.

Sostenueto · 05/05/2017 22:04

While we wait for another leader for the labour party May will push through her right wing Great Repeal Bill which was the real reason for the election, and we, the working class, poor and disabled be even more left behind by the money grabbing globalisation loving rich who run this country.

Lottapianos · 06/05/2017 09:26

Baffled, how exactly did Ed Milliband 'stab his brother in the back'? He stood against him in a democratic leadership election. The Labour party is not the monarchy, David had no divine right to become the next leader.

NightWanderer · 06/05/2017 13:19

There was definitely some bad blood there though. Yes, he had a right to stand but to stand against your brother is harsh.

Lottapianos · 06/05/2017 17:51

Any bad blood is entirely their own affair and for them to sort out (or not) privately. Any why should Ed have been the one to stand aside? No one blames David for potentially getting in his brother's way

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