Well done Labour NEC - Corbyn can stand

[claig]

They have voted 18-14 to allow Corbyn to stand in the leadership election.

One less stitch-up in a season os stitch-ups.

Go Corbyn!

[JohnBarleycorn]

Thanks piglet. But many MPs don't like him but the people do isn't that splitting the party?

And if he wins the next leadership vote will they then shut up and accept that the people want him or will they then continue to try and oust him?

[Showmethewaytogohome]

I'm afraid the party will split anyway - and the sooner the better. There is no solution. Corbyn will more than likely be re-elected. But it could be really positive - a new party taking the best of the Labour party and moving it forward would be in opposition. Corbyn can lead his own party - where ever that takes him

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

Thanks piglet. But many MPs don't like him but the people do isn't that splitting the party?

It isn't just MPs. The wider public don't either.

His approval rating is the worse of an leader ever.

In a GE he has to win over swing voters and Tory voters aswell as keep all current Labour voters.

Usually at this point the party in opposition is ahead in the polls. Labour is quite a bit behind currently.

If there was a snap GE Labour will lose many seats.

Labour isn't a 'social movement' it is a political party.

You can do nothing in opposition.

[howabout]

Last poll I saw had Conservative 37%, Labour 31%, UKIP 12% and Lib/Dem 6% (Guardian last week from memory)

Given what I said about UKIP and marginals if the LP can engage with the Brexit messages and win back support they will be ahead. A Brexit denying Leader has no hope of doing that. JC is the only viable electoral hope I see.

[BrandNewAndImproved]

So the DPAC have just endorsed corbyn. Quite an important endorsement for him!

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

Polls are getting worse......

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

Here is a GE prediction that is apparently based on current polling if a snap GE.

Tories to have a near 200 seat majority.

[howabout]

That poll is interesting piglet. It seems to indicate Bremainers are not in fact flocking to the Lib / Dems and UKIPers are unpersuaded that the main parties have got the message about Brexit meaning Brexit. Superficially it looks like a straight swap from Conservative to Labour. Severe voter disapproval for the PLP pushing self-destruct in sharp contrast to the Tories getting on with doing what the electorate told them to do?

[eatsleephockeyrepeat]

Ooh, ooh, can I join in! haven't read the whole thread but I love a good lot of poll statistics.

I agree with what you're saying about a straight swap howabout. I also think it's important to remember there literally can't be a GE right now whilst a leadership competition is underway, so how people feel right now whilst things are in flux is rather academic.

The fact is by the time they would even be theoretically able to vote the situation will be very different; Labour will have a leader one way or another and certainly some more water will have passed under the bridge. Either way there will be some form of resolution, so mulling over how people would vote today, whilst things are in the kind of turmoil that the political system respects would make it impossible to vote... well I think that's of limited use.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

There could be a GE as early as October if May wanted to. If this trend continues she may very well seriously think about it.

Polls also generally also under estimate Tory performance so it could be a lot bigger.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

*called as early as October.

Even Corbyn has said he wants one. Why an earth he would I have no idea.

[eatsleephockeyrepeat]

Because by hook or by crook things will be very different in October!

For one Labour will have a leader. For two, two different highly motivated Labour campaigns will have been touring the country between now and then, spreading the Labour message to anyone who'll listen, essentially giving any Labour candidate a headstart on GE campaigning! Plus May's shiny newness will be wearing off and whoever wins out of Corbyn and Smith will be the shiny new one of the day. Doesn't seem like such a bad idea to capitalise to me!

[NotDavidTennant]

I think you're a bit deluded if you believe a bitter leadership contest will make Labour more popular across the country. And it will be bitter - maybe not between the candidates themselves but between their supporters.

[eatsleephockeyrepeat]

Well aren't you charming NotDavid! It needn't be bitter; but if you're determined to be then you've articulated a self-fulfilling prophecy.

And no, it's not ideal to be in this position, but let's not go back over how we got here. Both campaigns have started on the foot of bringing people together. As a Labour party member I can only hope both enjoy success in this regard; or frankly either; it's the same goal! So every single person who supports Labour can surely agree to getting on board with that.