One of the hottest-button issues in the Labour Party right now concerns a territorial dispute over two thousand miles away. The Jewish Labour Movement hustings last night asked each of the candidates whether they would identify as a Zionist. Guido brings you the lowdown…
Thornberry
“I am a zionist”
Starmer
“I don’t describe myself as a Zionist”
Nandy
“I believe that Jewish people have the right to national self determination, that makes me a Zionist.”
Long-Bailey
“I suppose that makes me a Zionist”
Who would have guessed that Long-Bailey would be more willing to describe herself as a Zionist than Sir Keir QC…
Victoria Derbyshire’s trying to make Labour leadership candidates look foolish. In 2016 we learnt Corbyn couldn’t recognise Ant and Dec; now Lisa Nandy has failed to recognise Billie Eilish. Will this make any difference to the leadership race? Absolutely not.
We are only half way through the Labour Leadership contest (seriously), and already the not-so-subtle attacks have started. On Newsnight’s debate last night, Emily Thornberry made a pointed remark about Rebecca Long-Bailey’s lack of commitment to tacking antisemitism within the Shadow Cabinet. Newsnight’s Katie Razzall had to step in…
ET “Keir and I were both in the Shadow Cabinet and would regularly, the two of us, call for regular reports to the Shadow Cabinet”
KR “Are you saying Becky… are you saying Rebecca didn’t”
ET “No I don’t think Rebecca did, but Keir and I did regularly.”
RL-B “Err, Rebecca did (nervous laugh) I think you’ll find…”
ET “Sorry I don’t remember.”
Awkward…
Guido can’t decide who to support for Labour leader, in the deputy leadership race, however, the choice is clear. The most honest deputy leadership campaign by a mile receives the coveted Guido Fawkes endorsement. Richard Burgon!
Whilst an honourable mention goes to Dawn Butler and her many musical speeches, Richard’s inspirationally honest pitch to Novara Media last night has clinched Guido’s coveted endorsement. To celebrate, Guido is showcasing some of the best Burgon fandom’s best content…
— Kit Marsden (@manek43509) February 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/1226986255772213253I'm sorry but I had to see whether it fit pic.twitter.com/SO9zzOQN30
— Calgie (@christiancalgie) February 10, 2020
Here you are! pic.twitter.com/zn9eLEGRqy
— Martin Kimber (@MrMKimber) February 11, 2020
Good luck!
UPDATE: Burgon reacts…
Rebecca Long-Bailey has called for an end to ’24/7 work culture’, where workers will be given the right to switch off digital devices outside their work hours to alleviate stress and anxiety. Journalists received the embargoed press release at 19:25 last night…
The Corbynista is channelling her inner Dolly Parton with this 9-5 policy, saying stronger unions will prevent time with friends and family being interrupted by emails or demands. Unfortunately for Becky, she is campaigning against a culture that isn’t widespread.
In addition to breaking her own policy by having her over-worked team send out the press release out-of-hours, Long-Bailey gave it a publication embargo of 08.30 this morning. Surely hacks can’t even be expected to read her policy until after 9…
Following the rejection of Salma Yaqoob as their West Midlands Mayoral candidate, it’s beginning to look like Labour are becoming more electorally savvy. A new poll from the Evening Standard shows both Labour voters and the general public are united in thinking Rebecca Long-Bailey is unsuitable to be PM – even ranking her behind Emily Thornberry. Will Labour members see sense at any point?…
The order of preference between Labour voters and the general voters is surprisingly the same, with Starmer in first, followed by Lisa Nandy. Unfortunately for Labour, all four candidates fail to receive support from 1/3 or more of the public when asked who has what it takes to be PM. Long-Bailey takes the biscuit with just 14% support from the general public…
