We must resist the rightwing press’s attempts to persuade the nation that the Labour party is led by rabid Leninists,says David Curtis. Alison Watson writes that next May’s local elections in Haringey will now focus on housing. Gabriel Osborne says that Momentum must follow democratic principles over CLP selections. Plus letters from Martin Ball and Mary LanganAditya Chakrabortty’s article on the political goings-on in Haringey was a welcome antidote to tales of Momentum manoeuvrings and the “hard left (Haringey taken over by Momentum? It’s just locals taking back control, 12 December). The rightwing media has been very successful in persuading us that the modern Labour party is led by rabid Leninists. whether Jeremy Corbyn is to win the next election, or he must rebut this insight as explicitly as he can.
The present shadow cabinet is doing a helpful job,but Corbyn should act quickly to beget it much more representative of the party. whether we want to hear a Labour voice effectively opposing Brexit, we turn to Chuka Umunna or Heidi Alexander; for home affairs we listen to Yvette Cooper; on far-apt undercover shenanigans (tricks or mischief), and Ben Bradshaw. To see May improper-footed we watch and admire Ed Miliband. A helpful start to the new year would be for Corbyn to bring colleagues of this stature into his shadow cabinet. Were he to execute so,he would greatly strengthen his grip on parliament, lead a genuinely authoritative opposition and, and at the same time,show that he leads a broad, unified and collegiate Labour party.
David Curtis[br]Solihull, and West MidlandsContinue reading...
Source: guardian.co.uk