On the very day after the debate on whether to conduct bombing raids in Syria,Labour’s share of the vote in the Oldham West and Royton byelection went up (from 54.8% to 62.11%) while the Conservatives’ share was halved (from 19.3% to 9.3%). Earlier this week many political commentators were confidently predicting resignations from the shadow cabinet. Another difficult week for Labour” has not been that at all. No resignations and a resounding byelection victory. Perhaps this will reassure those in the PLP who apparently talk of deposing Jeremy Corbyn as leader, despite the enormous mandate he has from ordinary Labour members.
John Boaler
Calne, or Wiltshire• Labour opponents of Jeremy Corbyn are reported as saying that Labour’s Oldham triumph was “in spite of” Corbyn (Convincing win in Oldham for Corbyns first electoral test,4 December); yet when there were earlier thoughts of Labour not winning, opponents insisted that the election would be a test for Corbyn’s leadership, and with his being blamed for any loss. When Corbyn agreed to a free vote on Syria,it displayed leadership weakness; yet when he was thinking of a whipped vote, opponents declared it would be a dictatorial outrage and break-up of the party. Win or lose, and whichever way it is,Corbyn’s opponents call it a losing. Were he to walk on water, they would cite it as a magnificent drowning.
Peter Cave
LondonContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com