Jeremy Corbyn told Labour 'a broad church, not a religious cult' | Politics | The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... gious-cult

Christ, they all talk a good game when it comes to banging heads together, but there's no evidence.

He's tried the 'broad church' thing. And the Blairite wing of the party spent most of it's time pissing in the font. They've had their chance to play nice, now they're probably going to get their ball taken away.

Dear God, the media coverage on Labour's 'reshuffle' is bordering on the screamingly hysteric. There has actually just been a political journalist on Radio 5 interviewed for 5 minutes about how he's been stationed next to one of the lifts in the Commons to see who is coming and going through it.

This is an entirely manufactured story. Nobody ever gave a flying [lifted] about any opposition reshuffle ever before in history. Not even the people involved in them! And frankly with good reason, since who does what particular job in the opposition cabinet is of almost no importance at all. Yet suddenly one is somehow something worthy of minute by minute coverage.

For [lifted]'s Sake.

I was starting to wonder if I'd spent most of my life in political ignorance, because I really couldn't remember much coverage about opposition reshuffles in the past.

Seems to me that ANY development in the Labour camp is seized upon because of the much suggested fragility of Corbyn's position as leader, no doubt egged on by the Tory leaning press.

I did like John McDonnell on the BBC this morning.
He pointed out that the Tories were following Labour in giving their MP's a free vote (on Europe), including the cabinet.

It's the raging double standards that actually bother me.

Corbyn gave his party MPs a free vote on Syria because they'd kick up a stink if he didn't - "He's weak and has no authority!" Cameron gives his party MPs a free vote on Brexit because they'd kick up a stink if he didn't - "It's a victory for democracy!" This is AFTER he said he definitely wouldn't be giving them a free vote by the way.

Corbyn kicks out a couple of people who have been basically trashing him in the press for weeks and that's somehow a sign that he's not able to accept dissent, yet when he doesn't kick out Hilary Benn who spoke against him in a Parliamentary debate, it's because he's not able to control 'his' party.

I mean, really? They can say both of those things at the same time?

I don't mind a newspaper having a political position, in fact I probably expect them to. It's just they all seem to be massively insulting the intelligence of their readers. I mean, I do say 50% of people are stupider than average, but really? The fact they get away with it is what really makes me shake my head.

I imagine the people who got the chop one way or the other were likely talking to the press to get this level of interest. Cameron made a show of supporting one of them!

Out of date now, but interesting

Labour reshuffle continues with no news on future of Hilary Benn | Politics | The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... her-sacked

I pity the poor sod who had to take Cameron through the Star Wars references.... I think it's hilarious that so many have stepped down in protest. How 'left wing' do they think the shadow cabinet will be now?

If they genuinely think they can't work with Corbyn then fair does to them - it's the right thing to do. The interesting thing will be to see if they are politically smart enough to maintain the moral high ground from the backbenches. Backbenchers are allowed to disagree with the leadership if they want to but the trick is to make it look constructive rather than sour grapes.

Jon

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... -appointed

Hmm, lets see how that goes. Unfortunately it seems to be the only way you can run a party these days - neither the public or the press seem to have much appetite for 'conviction' or however you wanna frame it, preferring a simpler story.

BBC justifies decision to allow Stephen Doughty to resign live on Daily Politics | Media | The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/j ... y-politics

It's no wonder some Labour members aren't happy with Milne if that's the way he gets on.

Collective responsibility is something they'll have to get used to if they manage to form a government. Despite any internal disagreements, all cabinets have always supported the government's actions. That's how it goes.

"shared" and "liked" for emphasis and all the good it will do.

Senior Labour MP wary of standing for election under anti-nuclear policy | Politics | The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... ear-policy

Does the public really give a sh1t about Trident? Really?

I think it's got more to do with Labour internally (the unions, the belief they'll look weak etc) than any great belief in a missile system we'll likely never use.