This popped up on my Facebook page and I thought it was worth sharing. I hope Tariq won't mind me posting it here.
THE CORBYN FACTOR
As Stalin discovered early on in his political career the last thing he needed was inner-party democracy. It appears that the bulk of the PLP, virtually every ghastly pundit from the Tory idol, Ganesh in the FT, to Pollyfiller Toynbee in The Guardian, Murdoch's minions, all with with a sprinkling of bland Runciman sauce and even worse ingredients are horrified by this experiment in party democracy. It works so well in the US primary system and the French Socialists used it to elbow aside candidates marginally more left than Sarkozy. The operative word is marginally. So why not England. This is not so much the Mediterranean effect, but the Scottish one. England's youth are repeating the Scottish experience albeit within the framework of the LP. Would it have happened had JC not stood? Abandon the thought. The commentariat trying to boost the creepy Cooper is comical beyond belief. Blair's ghoulish appearances have been helpful.
The best thing possible if/when JC wins would be a mass desertion of Labour-Libs and Lab-Tories to their real homes. A single party that unites the Extreme Centre is in their best interests. What would speed the process is further democratisation by restoring the rights that the Blairites confiscated from CLPs. They should be allowed to choose their own candidates and not have them removed or imposed by the NEC. Once this is in place then they can elect the Shadow Cabinet or whatever. Once this is implemented the Labour-Tories will leave or split. They're unlikely to do the decent thing UKIP-style and force by-elections because they'll be scared of losing though not all will. So if they think that the programme of measures outlined by the JC Left are too ultra, why not let the electorate decide in a mini-election?
If JC loses which I hope he doesn't then the choice depends on our side. A continuing campaign on these issues is fine but does not offer a medium term solution. For who will represent these forces in parliament. JC and the dozen or so MPs who really support him? Of course but that is not enough. Try and win next time? But the Blairites and Brownites (b&b's) are bound to end the democratic experiment . I think this excellent campaign has shown the Labour Left the direction they should be taking with the unions who want a different route map. When structures are outdated new foundations have to be laid. It's a big leap forward, but has to be discussed openly.
Meanwhile, fingers crossed.
THE CORBYN FACTOR
As Stalin discovered early on in his political career the last thing he needed was inner-party democracy. It appears that the bulk of the PLP, virtually every ghastly pundit from the Tory idol, Ganesh in the FT, to Pollyfiller Toynbee in The Guardian, Murdoch's minions, all with with a sprinkling of bland Runciman sauce and even worse ingredients are horrified by this experiment in party democracy. It works so well in the US primary system and the French Socialists used it to elbow aside candidates marginally more left than Sarkozy. The operative word is marginally. So why not England. This is not so much the Mediterranean effect, but the Scottish one. England's youth are repeating the Scottish experience albeit within the framework of the LP. Would it have happened had JC not stood? Abandon the thought. The commentariat trying to boost the creepy Cooper is comical beyond belief. Blair's ghoulish appearances have been helpful.
The best thing possible if/when JC wins would be a mass desertion of Labour-Libs and Lab-Tories to their real homes. A single party that unites the Extreme Centre is in their best interests. What would speed the process is further democratisation by restoring the rights that the Blairites confiscated from CLPs. They should be allowed to choose their own candidates and not have them removed or imposed by the NEC. Once this is in place then they can elect the Shadow Cabinet or whatever. Once this is implemented the Labour-Tories will leave or split. They're unlikely to do the decent thing UKIP-style and force by-elections because they'll be scared of losing though not all will. So if they think that the programme of measures outlined by the JC Left are too ultra, why not let the electorate decide in a mini-election?
If JC loses which I hope he doesn't then the choice depends on our side. A continuing campaign on these issues is fine but does not offer a medium term solution. For who will represent these forces in parliament. JC and the dozen or so MPs who really support him? Of course but that is not enough. Try and win next time? But the Blairites and Brownites (b&b's) are bound to end the democratic experiment . I think this excellent campaign has shown the Labour Left the direction they should be taking with the unions who want a different route map. When structures are outdated new foundations have to be laid. It's a big leap forward, but has to be discussed openly.
Meanwhile, fingers crossed.
Re 'Blair's ghoulish appearance', would publication of the Chilcott Inquiry into the Iraq War have any impact on the Labour Party leadership contest?
ReplyDeleteAnd while the Daily Mail and Morning Star are very different in their outlooks regarding the Labour Party leadership contest, today's Mail lead story is Sir John Chilcott's six year failure to publish findings into Iraq War, while the Morning Star's is Iraq inquiry faces court for delay.
Dude Swheatie of Kwug
great article but is it really Tariq Ali? Can you post link to source please? @anonymissis
ReplyDeleteIt came over Facebook but not sure where it was first posted. The 'Extreme Centre' is a concept that he uses http://tariqali.org/archives/2957 This is his Facebook link but at quick scan I couldn't see the post there: https://www.facebook.com/TariqAliOfficial/timeline
ReplyDelete