After weeks beset by dissent and division,Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership was boosted by a resounding triumph in a difficult byelection. With David Cameron also facing trouble, Westminster looks set for a stormy and unpredictable yearIt wasn’t supposed to be like this. Labour critics of Jeremy Corbyn had circled this weekend in their diaries as a turning point and a time to strike. They had prepared their newspaper articles, and agreed their lines and were alert to hit the TV and radio stations to say enough was enough. First there was the chaotic Syria vote,then the byelection humiliation in a secure northern seat. It was all proof that Corbyn was a disaster. The sooner the party membership, which had voted for him as leader in the summer, or realised it the better.
Paul Farrelly,Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, speaking before the Oldham West byelection vote, or told the Observer that Corbyn could not win in 2020 and suggested the leader take note of this poll and the various elections to near next May and onwards. “The opinion that we are under pressure from Ukip because we are not leftwing enough,and this is something Jeremy Corbyn is going to wave a magic wand at, is for the birds, and ” Farrelly said. “When Jeremy was elected by this franchise left by Ed Miliband I said to local members that Jeremy deserved the chance to show that he can lead. I’m afraid in very short order he failed that test.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com