Sunday, August 23, 2015

Labour Pains

This is (I think) the first time since becoming a representative of the Conservative Party that I have ever openly expressed disagreement with the leadership choices of another party. Even though I thought Labour should have gone with David Miliband and the Lib Dems with Norman Lamb, I thought it was a matter for them. But as it becomes ever more likely that Labour will choose Jeremy Corbyn, I am departing from this approach. This post expresses my astonishment if this comes to pass, and deep concern about the future of the United Kingdom.
I don't know Jeremy Corbyn. I see him in the Commons of course. He seems genial, unassuming and polite. Bit disconnected from his own party, which he rarely seems to support. Think of him alongside Diane Abbott, Dennis Skinner and a few others - but lacking the charisma. Never seen anything that can be described as a leadership quality.  I suspect he would agree with and approve of this assessment.
But he's not seeking to lead some campaigning organisation, or think tank, or collection of self-regarding academics writing a letter to the Times, or the Monster Raving Loony Party. He wants to lead the Official Opposition in the British Parliament, where he would become a major figure on the world stage. He would have access to confidential information, and help shape the world's view of Britain.
No significant country will take Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Opposition in the UK Parliament seriously. He will oppose any military action by Britain, no matter what the cause. He even opposed saving the Kosovans from genocide. He would advocate withdrawal from NATO. He would campaign to nationalise much of British industry, and return power and influence to the trades unions.   He would let our National Debt rocket. He would not respect our Parliamentary traditions, particularly those related to The Monarchy.
Even at this late stage, I hope the Labour Party, will draw back from stepping over the edge into an abyss of uncertainty. It may seem a jolly good jape to kick the 'establishment' up the backside. But there in possible way a Jeremy Corbyn victory can end well.

1 comment:

Daisy Dunn said...

Glyn,
As a 13 year old girl, I think it is, perhaps, a little patronising to say no one would take Jeremy Corbyn seriously as leader of the opposition. A Jeremy led Labour party would not adopt every policy that he has outlined. He has said that his cabinet would not be appointed by him, but elected. As such it would contain a variety of views. So whilst Labour policy may contain some elements of Jeremy’s ideas, it is unlikely that it will contain all of Jeremy’s more extreme views. In fact I think that, more than other leaders in the past, Jeremy would listen to all views and take them into account when formulating policy. On subjects such as nationalisation, I’m sure that Jeremy realises that there are limits to what could be done in reality, but it has to be said that the idea is actually very popular according to various polls. I can’t see why other leaders wouldn’t take him seriously on this. As for military action, most people actually disagree with most of what we’ve done in the last 15 years or so. No doubt intervention is needed sometimes but perhaps a voice calling for us to stop & think on these occasions before we act could have made the difference between us engaging in a no-win conflict or keeping out of it. As for Nato, I don’t agree with Jeremy on this, but again I’m sure that whilst this may be Jeremy’s view I doubt that this would end up as actual Labour policy.
As for traditions and the Monarchy, these may seem important to older people, but to me, as a teenager, they seem very strange. The Monarchy are not elected. So, it is just luck whether the people born into it end up being good ambassadors for Britain or not. What if the next King or Queen is not a suitable figurehead? What can we do? Prince Philip has regularly caused embarrassment or offence – for example quotes like ‘It looks as though it was put in by an Indian’, or ‘If you stay here much longer you'll all be slitty–eyed’ – someone in his position should know better. I’m sure that you’ll say they bring in more money than they cost, but perhaps it is time for a debate on this outdated institution.