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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Jeremy Corbyn is a spineless wimp

87 replies

Dongdingdong · 03/12/2018 18:18

As everyone will know, Theresa May has challenged Jeremy Corbyn to a televised debate on Brexit. According to Sky News, Downing Street accepted a proposal to screen the debate on the BBC at 8pm on Sunday December 9th.

The BBC's plan would see both leaders take questions from a panel, including commentators and other politicians, as well as debating each other - which to me, sounds like an eminently sensible proposal.

However, Corbyn has proved to be reticent, not only challenging the choice of channel, saying he'd prefer the debate to take place on ITV (with no good reason at all, as far as I can see).

He then said he didn't want any interaction from other people - just a one-on-one debate with Theresa May. I don't get this at all - surely, in the spirit of democracy, the more voices and different opinions that are allowed to be aired, the better!

AIBU to think it's coming across as though he just doesn't have the nerve to stand up and debate on prime time TV, and is just trying to slither out of the whole situation by making ridiculously lame excuses? What is he so afraid of?

OP posts:
TheWernethWife · 03/12/2018 18:24

The US Presidential nominees have a 1 to 1 debate in TV without input from other people. No-one said they were spineless wimps, or do you just not like Corbyn

MissionItsPossible · 03/12/2018 18:27

I understand why he'd want a one on one debate. The last thing I would want when watching a TV debate is people yelling over each other and jeering childishly like they do in the House of Commons so you can't even hear anything. He is a weak opposition leader although I wouldn't go as far as 'spineless wimp'.

MissionItsPossible · 03/12/2018 18:29

Well ITV have adverts where he could get a few minutes off camera every 15 minutes to be briefed on what to say next so that's one good reason. I'd do it too.

AornisHades · 03/12/2018 18:34

It wasn't Corbyn who chickened out and sent Amber Rudd in the election debate.

Isitsixoclockalready · 03/12/2018 18:37

I'm still not quite sure what the point is of this debate as it's not exactly like leave v remain. It's May's terrible deal v Labour's not really having a deal. Corbyn probably isn't the best at debates although his quip last week that May's deal, being the only deal could just as much be described as the worst deal as the best deal was on the money IMO.

Bluerussian · 03/12/2018 18:38

I think he's proved that he's anything but a wimp, when you consider the amount of stick and lack of support he's had to take but still battles on. He's courageous.

Theresa May is also courageous, I have respect for her for similar reasons as Jeremy.

What is also funny is that T May is a Remainer and J Corbyn favoured Bexit but they have to go with what the majority of their party want, what's more, push it forward. How difficult is that! They both appear to be sinking but they hang on cheerfully.

Wanting different types of debate is just preferring to do things from different angles. I'd prefer a televised one to one actually but it's not up to me. Neither will 'win'.

SillySallySingsSongs · 03/12/2018 18:39

YANBU he is declining the BBC one has he has issues with them.

HollowTalk · 03/12/2018 18:40

I love watching political debates but have to say that May v Corbyn fills my soul with fear.

Fatasfook · 03/12/2018 18:40

Have you ever watched pm’s question time? He wipes the floor with her every time.

keiratwiceknightly · 03/12/2018 18:40

Such a debate will be a nonsense anyway. On the Brexit Deal side, a Remainer. On the opposition side, a Leaver.

PositiveVibez · 03/12/2018 18:41

Because the BBC are extremely biased towards the Tory party.

SillySallySingsSongs · 03/12/2018 18:42

Have you ever watched pm’s question time? He wipes the floor with her every time.

No he doesn't

superstarburst · 03/12/2018 18:43

YANBU he's worse than useless

BishopBrennansArse · 03/12/2018 18:45

BBC also have a very strong Tory bias.

I think an independent broadcaster makes sense.

I also think the debate part should be one on one. Perhaps audience questions after. Otherwise you could get the yelling over that has happened so many times before.

Bombardier25966 · 03/12/2018 18:47

YANBU he is declining the BBC one has he has issues with them.

I'd have issues with someone that continuously shows unwarranted bias against me, wouldn't you?

Turning it around, why won't May accept the ITV proposition?

Flewog · 03/12/2018 18:49

I'm no fan of Corbyn, but this is exactly the same as when Theresa May dodged the general election debates last year. She eventually agreed to do a head to head 'debate' with Corbyn, in the non-confrontational format she insisted on, and skipped the all-party debate altogether.

www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40105324

YABVU.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 03/12/2018 18:52

Corbyn is a man who has won multiple prizes for his year of peace-making efforts. You're entitled to dislike his politics, but he certainly isn't spineless.

Flewog · 03/12/2018 18:59

Actually, to tweak my response slightly, this isn't exactly the same as when Theresa dodged the debates last year, because Corbyn is agreeing to do it on ITV and with their format.

I don't think either of them are spineless but, if you think Corbyn is, I cant imagine what you thought of her.

SillySallySingsSongs · 03/12/2018 19:00

Corbyn is a man who has won multiple prizes for his year of peace-making efforts.

Name the renowned award he won please and I mean proper awards.

The80sweregreat · 03/12/2018 19:08

I'm not a big fan of J C but I wouldn't call him a wimp. His voted against his own party enough times. What labour need to have is a new leader though : sooner the better.

This debate ( if it goes ahead) is a waste of time. Neither will do very well.

Ursulasunderstudy · 03/12/2018 19:09

Theresa May refused a debate during the General election run up because she knew she’d come out worse off. The Brexit debate has been created to take the heat off her. Why would Jeremy Corbyn want to debate that absolute shit storm the Tories have got us into? It’s not his circus and it’s clear it’s another tactic to try deflect the crap deal that’s on the table.

2cats2many · 03/12/2018 19:13

You couldn't pay me to watch this debate. Both of them instantly make me reach for the off switch.

The80sweregreat · 03/12/2018 19:15

I don't think J C does ' wipe the floor' with TM anymore than TM does with him. They are both just as bad as each other.

This is a mess of the Tory making ; they should be sorting it out not coming out with debates and what not! It's just a tactic so people will say ' the Labour Party let us down' : its what the tories are good at doing!
Passing the blame.

HamiltonCork · 03/12/2018 19:18

They’re both crap and I won’t be watching no matter what channel or format is chosen. Have we ever had such a bad crop of politicians?

Original poster
Dongdingdong · 03/12/2018 19:25

It’s interesting that PPs have said the BBC is hopelessly biased against Corbyn/Labour, which is why he doesn’t want to debate on that channel. I read a wide variety of news websites (Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Independent and yes, occasionally the Daily Mail) because I like to get different perspectives on things and not live in my own little bubble. If you look at any comments section in the Guardian under a story about the Beeb, there will inevitably be multiple people saying that it’s so right wing, anti Labour and so on. Read the comments under a Daily Mail article about the Beeb and it’s the exact opposite - people saying how the BBC is so left wing and anti-Brexit.

I find it fascinating how two camps of people can interpret one channel in two entirely different ways!

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