Sometimes politics produces heroes that rise above petty party lines. This time, it’s Diane. Jeremy Corbyn and James Cleverly have joined hands from across the political aisle to praise the “trailblazer” MP who has been making waves in Parliament since 1987. Even she couldn’t count her achievements…
They are shocked at the way she is being treated. Cleverly and Corbyn unite on the fact that if Starmer can’t see her “seminal role” he’s out of joint, and that she is unfairly left in limbo in a LOTO communications disaster. Backed by all sides…
As polling day approaches and parties hastily select candidates amid the resignation of MPs, Starmer is on a mission to purge left-wing leftovers from the Corbyn era. The internal chaos at LOTO has overshadowed the start of Labour’s campaign, with questions as to whether Diane Abbott will be banned from standing at the election. Sparking outrage across the board…
Meanwhile, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the former MP for Brighton Kemptown, said Labour has suspended him over a “vexatious and politically motivated complaint,” preventing him from running as well. A third, Faiza Shaheen, has also had Labour’s support withdrawn over antisemitism accusations, and won’t be Labour’s candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green. Coordinated…
The simultaneous announcements of the selections of Starmer allies added a Stalinesque touch to the purge:
- Luke Akehurst – North Durham
- Josh Simons – Makerfield
- Paul Waugh – Rochdale
- Georgia Gould – Maida Vale
- Heather Iqbal – Dewsbury
So much for Starmer’s pledge to not interfere with candidate selection and have a more “democratic” process. Gone are the days of Starmer’s promise to to unite the Labour Party and also “retain the radicalism of the last four years“. When he won the leadership contest, Starmer pledged: “We are not going to trash the last Labour government…nor are we going to trash the last four years [under Jeremy Corbyn].” Now it’s clear he’s ditched that commitment – Starmer is pretty serious about governing without Corbyn’s chums on the backbenches…
Guido reported last week that Corbyn’s shabby campaign website was registered on the 12th of May. He’s been quick off the mark with campaign literature too. Red Labour-looking leaflets branded with: “CORBYN: An independent voice for all of us” have started hitting doorsteps in Islington North. The leaflet boasts five retro Corbyn “values”:
- A more equal society: Enforced through a wealth tax and abolition of the two-child benefit cap. To get even more people on to welfare…
- Housing for all: Introduction of rent controls and council house building bonanza.
- A greener Islington: Water and energy nationalisation. A quick glance at the USSR’s environmental record will tell you how good an idea this is…
- A fully public NHS: End the “privatisation” of the NHS.
- Peace and human rights: Corbyn pledges to “speak up for peace everywhere”. Apart from in reference to violent socialist dictators…
Corbyn complains: “I am appalled that local Labour Party members have been denied the right to choose their candidate“. They weren’t even allowed to vote for Paul Mason…
Apart from that the leaflet features testimonials, including from socialist American actor and local, Rob Delaney, and a timeline of Corbyn’s achievements in “putting people first“. Marching against Iraq gets a mention though strangely winning the argument in 2019 is nowhere to be seen…
See pictures of the leaflet below:
Jeremy Corbyn has not given up fighting for socialism – he has announced he’s standing as an Independent to be MP for Islington North. He took to Twitter to post this… inspiring message to his supporters on why they should back him.
I am standing as an independent candidate for the people of Islington North.
As your MP, I will continue to be an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace.
Please join our campaign at https://t.co/dRySocs48C. Let’s prove that when we come together, we can win. pic.twitter.com/rkyf5yakod
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 24, 2024
He’s not going down without a fight…
UPDATE: Corbyn’s campaign website votecorbyn.com was registered 11 days ago, purchased from US domain registrar Namecheap.
All the way back in 2022 reformed Trotskyite Paul Mason began seeking his parliamentary path to socialism by standing to be Labour’s candidate in Stretford and Urmston. He failed in that selection. And two more…
Rumours have swirled since last Summer that Mason would take the fight to Corbyn in Islington North. Mason announced last night that he is seeking the selection – a fourth try. Slightly younger socialist Twitterati are back to relentless mockery following this latest case of carpet bagging. Where’s your solidarity?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/sIY4qiwgGa
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) May 15, 2024
Anti-Corbyn Mason might not have much truck with the local party, seeing as they passed a motion with 98% last year in favour of their old party leader. Guido, for one, hopes Mason gets the hotly contested selection. Then maybe a head-to-head against Suzie Izzard at the next election?
Guido is always amused by the ramblings and politics of the civil service union PCS’ various factions. In the run-up to the PCS elections from 18th April to 9th May, the socialist Broad Left Network, whose main opponents are the other socialists over at the Left Unity faction, have started their leaflet campaign. There’s nothing like a bit of socialist on socialist action…
Broad Left’s Marion Lloyd demands 100,000 new civil service jobs “to reduce workloads across the board” and “a new National Climate Service to end carbon dependency and protect jobs” as well as “public ownership and democratic control of energy and the banks“. Sounds difficult to achieve when you can’t be bothered to come into the office…
The proposal that will really swing votes though, is to fund Jezza’s re-election:
“Tories out! For a workers’ voice in Parliament! Members have agreed that the union should have a political fund: we should use this money to back candidates who back our members. Jeremy Corbyn has backed us repeatedly – he should stand as an independent in the general election!“
Guido has been running this campaign for years…
