Labour elects far-left leader in British politics shake-up

[Lite Beer]

Labour elects far-left leader in British politics shake-up
SYLVIA HUI, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — A veteran anti-war campaigner known for his unapologetically socialist views has won a landslide victory to lead Britain's opposition Labour Party — an outcome that delighted supporters and dismayed others who never imagined he could be elected.

The overwhelming support for far-left lawmaker Jeremy Corbyn, 66, was one of the biggest shake-ups in British politics in decades.

His win Saturday marks a sharp left turn for his party — and will significantly challenge the tone of mainstream British politics, which is now dominated by Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives.

"It's certainly the most high-profile position an overt socialist has held in British politics since the 1980s," said Martin Wright, lecturer in history and politics at Cardiff University. "It's an absolute earthquake. For the last two decades, the center ground has been moving ever further to the right. This moves the frames of reference to the left and opens up an alternative."

Considered an eccentric outsider and a longshot just months ago, Corbyn won many over with passionate arguments for nationalizing industry, heavily taxing corporations and the rich, increasing spending and ending austerity. Supporters say Corbyn is a refreshing voice in a party that has been moving toward the center ground for far too long.

Under the last two Labour leaders in power, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Labour shed its commitment to nationalizing industry and wooed big business.

Corbyn's blunt rejection of that strategy attracted scores of enthusiastic new members and supporters to the party, earning him a rock-star welcome from many young people disillusioned with British politics.

But many senior leaders in the party have warned that Corbyn's socialist ideas will alienate moderate voters and make Labour candidates unelectable — dooming the party to opposition status and ensuring that the Conservatives stay in power for years to come.

Blair, who led Labour to three consecutive election victories, recently said his party faced "annihilation" under Corbyn.

But cheers and applause erupted in the London conference venue Saturday as it was announced that Corbyn swept almost 60 percent of the vote, far ahead of his closest rival, Andy Burnham, who scored 19 percent. Some 422,664 votes were cast.

The politician, who has been a lawmaker for 32 years but never held government office, divides his own party with his radical views even as it struggles to recover from a heavy defeat in May's national election. Within hours of his victory, several prominent Labour lawmakers announced they would not serve under Corbyn.

In his acceptance speech, Corbyn promised to bring about a more compassionate Britain and tackle "grotesque levels of inequality."

"The Tories have used the economic crisis of 2008 to impose a terrible burden on the poorest people of this country," he said. "Poverty isn't inevitable, things can — and they will — change."

Earlier, as he arrived at the conference venue, he was mobbed by dozens of supporters who sang the socialist anthem, "The Red Flag."

Corbyn's unexpected surge of popularity against his three younger, more mainstream rivals has already stirred months of vigorous, often bitter, debate within the party about its identity.

But since Labour lost power in 2010 — and suffered even worse losses to the Conservatives in this year's election — some activists have been arguing that it was time to return to the party's ideological roots.

Unlike his younger rivals — Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall — Corbyn is seen as a stalwart from "Old Labour" who embraces the socialist values that the party advocated in the 1980s. He wants more public investment in infrastructure, higher taxes for corporations and wealth redistribution. He also opposes Britain's membership in NATO, and wants to scrap Britain's nuclear weapons program and scale back its defense spending.

Rivals say he is inexperienced and argue that his economic policies are idealistic and impractical — although dozens of British economists have backed him.

Unsurprisingly, his victory drew a wide range of reactions Saturday. Union leader Dave Prentis said he "has ignited a spark of hope," while the business group Institute of Directors said it believed Corbyn's policies would "undermine our open and competitive economy."

Ed Miliband, who stepped down in May as the Labour leader, urged his party to unite in support of Corbyn.

"Jeremy has won a very clear victory. I hope also ... that Jeremy reaches out to all parts of the party, because he has a big job to do to seek to unite the party," he said.

Wright believes Corbyn has what it takes to pose a real challenge to Cameron's Conservatives.

"Miliband was trying to come up with populist reforms, whereas what Corbyn is offering is the genuine thing: thorough-going socialist reform," he said. "We'll have to see if the British public has the appetite for that. We might be surprised."

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-13

[vogie]

Thats blown labour chances of ever getting into government with him at the helm.

[Neurath]

Hope Trump is still in office when Corbyn is elected.

[ggold]

Hope Trump is still in office when Corbyn is elected.

Trump has more of a chance of being elected, Corbyn has no chance.

[edwinchester]

How come so many Labour leaders seem so unelectable?

Recent choices have included Michael Foot, Neil Kinnock, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and now Jez Corbyn. None of them have mass appeal which destroys any chance of getting into office.

Edited September 13, 2015 by edwinchester

[tx22cb]

How come so many Labour leaders seem so unelectable?

Recent choices have included Michael Foot, Neil Kinnock, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and now Jez Corbyn. None of them have mass appeal which destroys any chance of getting into office.

Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock qualify as "recent choices"?! OAPs unite!

[edwinchester]

How come so many Labour leaders seem so unelectable?

Recent choices have included Michael Foot, Neil Kinnock, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and now Jez Corbyn. None of them have mass appeal which destroys any chance of getting into office.

Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock qualify as "recent choices"?! OAPs unite!

I'm 55, not quite a coffin dodger.

[ezzra]

This is the man who described Hamas and Hezbollah as " my friends " and bemoan Bin laden death as 'a tragedy',,

good luck to you

UK with a such a mutter as a PM if he gets elected..... in any case he's not much worse than the out going Milliband who

himself was a hard lefty...

Edited September 13, 2015 by ezzra

[jazzyfrosty]

Following this historic result he now has a mandate, which I and a huge number of others believe in and voters can now look at Labour and see, unquestionably, that it stands for fairness, justice, peace and strong communities. It is the party of hope, ready to take on a government hell-bent on making life worse for ordinary people. He will stop the UK from continuing to join more false flag wars, ending up bombing civilians and selling arms to countries who bomb, bomb and bomb, in particular Israel, that's why the right wingers are terrified. He will be able to provide new direction which is just and fairer not only for Britain but the world at large. The world is in desperate need for such a leader. Wish Jeremy all the success rather than be negative. I am sure his selection to lead one of the biggest Political parties in Europe means a lot and will have today raised the morale of the poor destitute victims of the War on Terror. Scripted and produced by the power across the Atlantic and their selfish Zionist Israel and Zionist Royal Saudi Allies. These three powers need to be reined in because they have corrupted the world and turned it into a very dangerous place. Jeremy's election has sent out a strong message the people reject the wars and their violent and corrupted version of Capitalism. U.S. is old enough and strong enough to look after its interests without turning the world up side down. It is all becoming too much for the poor of this world to bear the burden of Wars to safeguard some imaginary fears of US, Israelis and Saudis.

[NeverSure]

Following this historic result he now has a mandate, which I and a huge number of others believe in and voters can now look at Labour and see, unquestionably, that it stands for fairness, justice, peace and strong communities. It is the party of hope, ready to take on a government hell-bent on making life worse for ordinary people. He will stop the UK from continuing to join more false flag wars, ending up bombing civilians and selling arms to countries who bomb, bomb and bomb, in particular Israel, that's why the right wingers are terrified. He will be able to provide new direction which is just and fairer not only for Britain but the world at large. The world is in desperate need for such a leader. Wish Jeremy all the success rather than be negative. I am sure his selection to lead one of the biggest Political parties in Europe means a lot and will have today raised the morale of the poor destitute victims of the War on Terror. Scripted and produced by the power across the Atlantic and their selfish Zionist Israel and Zionist Royal Saudi Allies. These three powers need to be reined in because they have corrupted the world and turned it into a very dangerous place. Jeremy's election has sent out a strong message the people reject the wars and their violent and corrupted version of Capitalism. U.S. is old enough and strong enough to look after its interests without turning the world up side down. It is all becoming too much for the poor of this world to bear the burden of Wars to safeguard some imaginary fears of US, Israelis and Saudis.

You have a lot more trust in government than I do. I'll never trust or turn everything over to any government. Great Britain became great via capitalism and individual incentive. It became a wealthy nation but it's losing it after embracing socialism. Every decade it gets worse until the blind want to go all in for what has weakened it.

Good luck. You'll need it.

[ezzra]

Following this historic result he now has a mandate, which I and a huge number of others believe in and voters can now look at Labour and see, unquestionably, that it stands for fairness, justice, peace and strong communities. It is the party of hope, ready to take on a government hell-bent on making life worse for ordinary people. He will stop the UK from continuing to join more false flag wars, ending up bombing civilians and selling arms to countries who bomb, bomb and bomb, in particular Israel, that's why the right wingers are terrified. He will be able to provide new direction which is just and fairer not only for Britain but the world at large. The world is in desperate need for such a leader. Wish Jeremy all the success rather than be negative. I am sure his selection to lead one of the biggest Political parties in Europe means a lot and will have today raised the morale of the poor destitute victims of the War on Terror. Scripted and produced by the power across the Atlantic and their selfish Zionist Israel and Zionist Royal Saudi Allies. These three powers need to be reined in because they have corrupted the world and turned it into a very dangerous place. Jeremy's election has sent out a strong message the people reject the wars and their violent and corrupted version of Capitalism. U.S. is old enough and strong enough to look after its interests without turning the world up side down. It is all becoming too much for the poor of this world to bear the burden of Wars to safeguard some imaginary fears of US, Israelis and Saudis.

Corbyn should not have any problems with isolating Israel as he's a contributor and a patron of Paul Eisen, the holocaust denier,

also contribute monies to the Remembering Dir Yassin body and wrote to Anglican church in favour of Reverend Stephen Sizer

a sworn and banned anti-Semite, as for what he's going to do to better life in the UK? that's so far are empty rhetorics and dime a

dozen promises that every hopeful politico puts out there...

[phutoie2]

You have a lot more trust in government than I do. I'll never trust or turn everything over to any government. Great Britain became great via capitalism and individual incentive. It became a wealthy nation but it's losing it after embracing socialism. Every decade it gets worse until the blind want to go all in for what has weakened it.

Good luck. You'll need it.

you need to study Britsh history a bit more thoroughly, we got rich by building a decent navy and robbing every other <deleted>, then the industrial revolution, followed by a good dose of imperialism.

Corbyn could well be successful because he will get the young and all the other disaffected oddballs into the polling booths, that's what scares the crap out of the Tories. Murdoch's hounds are falling over themselves to write piece after piece on how JC is going to turn GB into some sort of 60's Cuba.

[Pimay1]

"Miliband was trying to come up with populist reforms, whereas what Corbyn is offering is the genuine thing: thorough-going socialist reform," he said. "We'll have to see if the British public has the appetite for that. We might be surprised."

Here is a man who experienced socialist reform first hand.

Edited September 13, 2015 by Pimay1

[oldgit]

The choice was Jeremy Corbyn or three insurance sales people.

Edited September 13, 2015 by oldgit

[arfurcrown]

The Labour party under Corbyn is going to go down the pan.

The U. K. economy along with its peoples will also be going down the pan.

Edited September 13, 2015 by arfurcrown

[Baerboxer]

This is the man who described Hamas and Hezbollah as " my friends " and bemoan Bin laden death as 'a tragedy',,

good luck to you

UK with a such a mutter as a PM if he gets elected..... in any case he's not much worse than the out going Milliband who

himself was a hard lefty...

Yep. He wants to re-nationalize the railways (who remembers what shit BR were?) and the utilities for starters; weaken the % required for a union strike vote thus handing power to the militant few; give up the British nuclear deterrent; hand over the Falklands to the Argies; increase taxes so his party can decide what to do with your money; allow more refugees in regardless of where they come from or why; ensure terrorist's human rights are fully respected (and sod the victims); and has never previously held any office having spent 32 years as a rebel back bench MP.

Easy to see why he was elected. The 300 or so who paid GBP 3 to "register" and of whom 85% voted for him gives a clue how well the left organized this.

Gerry Adams, former(?) IRA terrorist has welcomed his election, heralding him as a friend. Nicola Sturgeon, the liar who really wants to just keep having divisive referendums until she gets one with a result she likes (and then will probably try and ban them for ever more), is offering to work with him to fight austerity and give up Nuclear weapons. (A chancer who needs to do something quick before her Scottish governments crap performance is really examined).

The state of UK politics. We haven't got a credible opposition to the Conservatives (pals of the Big Banks and international finance) so let's elect a leader for Labor stuck in a time warp from the 70's and 80's. The Liberals have all but disappeared up their own <deleted>. Sturgeon and Salmond couldn't run a chip shop but will screw Scotland for their own vanity and keep forever trying to be the tail wagging the dog.

All of this must be making UKIP feel warm - many will look to them as a vote of frustration, much the same as many in Scotland voted SNP.

Just imagine if this clown ever did get elected PM - with socialists in Germany and France at the helm with him of the EU?

[blazes]

"Miliband was trying to come up with populist reforms, whereas what Corbyn is offering is the genuine thing: thorough-going socialist reform," he said. "We'll have to see if the British public has the appetite for that. We might be surprised."

Here is a man who experienced socialist reform first hand.

If I were this Russian lackey being introduced by this illiterate nitwit, I'd want to pack up and go home right away....

[blazes]

It is correct to connect Corbyn with Farage and UKIP, because both guys, coming from Left and Right, represent a vast amount of people who are sick and tired of the platitudes of the political class of the last two decades, in particular T Bliar and Eton's Cameron.

In addition, there is Marine Le Pen in France and a few others around Europe who are preparing to pull down the pillars of the EU temple. Like all aspirants to office, Corbyn is not eveyone's cup of tea (that is, you will always be able to find something you disagree with in what you know about his politics.) But like Farage he will stir up the sh*t and inspire people to go out and VOTE, and get rid of the privileged banking fraternity that has run UK and soon USA into the ground.

If he can actually get rid of the nuclear deterrent (ha ha) and re-nationalize the railways (ever travelled on the private crap?), he will be a national hero, another Nelson.

[ggold]

It is correct to connect Corbyn with Farage and UKIP, because both guys, coming from Left and Right, represent a vast amount of people who are sick and tired of the platitudes of the political class of the last two decades, in particular T Bliar and Eton's Cameron.

In addition, there is Marine Le Pen in France and a few others around Europe who are preparing to pull down the pillars of the EU temple. Like all aspirants to office, Corbyn is not eveyone's cup of tea (that is, you will always be able to find something you disagree with in what you know about his politics.) But like Farage he will stir up the sh*t and inspire people to go out and VOTE, and get rid of the privileged banking fraternity that has run UK and soon USA into the ground.

If he can actually get rid of the nuclear deterrent (ha ha) and re-nationalize the railways (ever travelled on the private crap?), he will be a national hero, another Nelson.

I very much doubt Corbyn has mass appeal! he only got 250,000 votes from labour party members, That is hardly mass appeal. But he will stir it up, enough to make sure enough people vote against his regressive policies come election time.

I think the connection between Corbyn and Farage is that it will push people to vote UKIP rather than labour. Corbyn is for the EU he would not have a referendum.

Labour will be the new libdems a minor third party with no real influence. He may even end up splitting the labour party as some shadow ministers are set to resign from the shadow cabinet.

The more communist his cabinet the less electable they become. IMO

[Pimay1]

"Miliband was trying to come up with populist reforms, whereas what Corbyn is offering is the genuine thing: thorough-going socialist reform," he said. "We'll have to see if the British public has the appetite for that. We might be surprised."

Here is a man who experienced socialist reform first hand.

If I were this Russian lackey being introduced by this illiterate nitwit, I'd want to pack up and go home right away....

Never mind the message, let's just shoot the messenger shall we?

[billd766]

This is the man who described Hamas and Hezbollah as " my friends " and bemoan Bin laden death as 'a tragedy',,

good luck to you

UK with a such a mutter as a PM if he gets elected..... in any case he's not much worse than the out going Milliband who

himself was a hard lefty...

Yep. He wants to re-nationalize the railways (who remembers what shit BR were?) and the utilities for starters; weaken the % required for a union strike vote thus handing power to the militant few; give up the British nuclear deterrent; hand over the Falklands to the Argies; increase taxes so his party can decide what to do with your money; allow more refugees in regardless of where they come from or why; ensure terrorist's human rights are fully respected (and sod the victims); and has never previously held any office having spent 32 years as a rebel back bench MP.

Easy to see why he was elected. The 300 or so who paid GBP 3 to "register" and of whom 85% voted for him gives a clue how well the left organized this.

Gerry Adams, former(?) IRA terrorist has welcomed his election, heralding him as a friend. Nicola Sturgeon, the liar who really wants to just keep having divisive referendums until she gets one with a result she likes (and then will probably try and ban them for ever more), is offering to work with him to fight austerity and give up Nuclear weapons. (A chancer who needs to do something quick before her Scottish governments crap performance is really examined).

The state of UK politics. We haven't got a credible opposition to the Conservatives (pals of the Big Banks and international finance) so let's elect a leader for Labor stuck in a time warp from the 70's and 80's. The Liberals have all but disappeared up their own <deleted>. Sturgeon and Salmond couldn't run a chip shop but will screw Scotland for their own vanity and keep forever trying to be the tail wagging the dog.

All of this must be making UKIP feel warm - many will look to them as a vote of frustration, much the same as many in Scotland voted SNP.

Just imagine if this clown ever did get elected PM - with socialists in Germany and France at the helm with him of the EU?

As a member of UKIP, you are correct. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I would think Big Dave does to as the only viable opposition at the next election will be UKIP and that will give him some sleepless nights.

[dunroaming]

Completely understand why so many people voted for Corbyn. A true non-politician. A man with principles and a belief in doing the right thing. Much of which means that he has no chance whatsoever in being elected in Britain. I think this was a massive "we are sick of the snivelling, lying, corrupt politicians who have completely screwed up the country".

Truth is socialism just doesn't work in a capitalist country like England. Blair knew that so dumped all the traditional socialist principles and swept to victory. The rise in Corbynism is a huge protest vote but unfortunately will not end well.

[TeaMonkey]

24 things that Jeremy Corbyn believes

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34209478

[RuamRudy]

This is the man who described Hamas and Hezbollah as " my friends " and bemoan Bin laden death as 'a tragedy',,

good luck to you

UK with a such a mutter as a PM if he gets elected..... in any case he's not much worse than the out going Milliband who

himself was a hard lefty...

Yep. He wants to re-nationalize the railways (who remembers what shit BR were?) and the utilities for starters; weaken the % required for a union strike vote thus handing power to the militant few; give up the British nuclear deterrent; hand over the Falklands to the Argies; increase taxes so his party can decide what to do with your money; allow more refugees in regardless of where they come from or why; ensure terrorist's human rights are fully respected (and sod the victims); and has never previously held any office having spent 32 years as a rebel back bench MP.

Easy to see why he was elected. The 300 or so who paid GBP 3 to "register" and of whom 85% voted for him gives a clue how well the left organized this.

Gerry Adams, former(?) IRA terrorist has welcomed his election, heralding him as a friend. Nicola Sturgeon, the liar who really wants to just keep having divisive referendums until she gets one with a result she likes (and then will probably try and ban them for ever more), is offering to work with him to fight austerity and give up Nuclear weapons. (A chancer who needs to do something quick before her Scottish governments crap performance is really examined).

The state of UK politics. We haven't got a credible opposition to the Conservatives (pals of the Big Banks and international finance) so let's elect a leader for Lab or stuck in a time warp from the 70's and 80's. The Liberals have all but disappeared up their own <deleted>. Sturgeon and Salmond couldn't run a chip shop but will screw Scotland for their own vanity and keep forever trying to be the tail wagging the dog.

All of this must be making UKIP feel warm - many will look to them as a vote of frustration, much the same as many in Scotland voted SNP.

Just imagine if this clown ever did get elected PM - with socialists in Germany and France at the helm with him of the EU?

The most recent data available shows that Scotland has posted its 11th successive quarter of expansion at the start of 2015. I don't know about chip shops, but they are doing a decent job of running the country despite the shackles imposed by the nasty party.

Thankfully recent polls put the desire for independence at 53% and climbing so we may get there sooner than we could ever have hoped for this time last year.

[RuamRudy]

24 things that Jeremy Corbyn believes

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34209478

I would struggle to find fault with any of those proposals.

[vogie]

This is the man who described Hamas and Hezbollah as " my friends " and bemoan Bin laden death as 'a tragedy',,

good luck to you

UK with a such a mutter as a PM if he gets elected..... in any case he's not much worse than the out going Milliband who

himself was a hard lefty...

Yep. He wants to re-nationalize the railways (who remembers what shit BR were?) and the utilities for starters; weaken the % required for a union strike vote thus handing power to the militant few; give up the British nuclear deterrent; hand over the Falklands to the Argies; increase taxes so his party can decide what to do with your money; allow more refugees in regardless of where they come from or why; ensure terrorist's human rights are fully respected (and sod the victims); and has never previously held any office having spent 32 years as a rebel back bench MP.

Easy to see why he was elected. The 300 or so who paid GBP 3 to "register" and of whom 85% voted for him gives a clue how well the left organized this.

Gerry Adams, former(?) IRA terrorist has welcomed his election, heralding him as a friend. Nicola Sturgeon, the liar who really wants to just keep having divisive referendums until she gets one with a result she likes (and then will probably try and ban them for ever more), is offering to work with him to fight austerity and give up Nuclear weapons. (A chancer who needs to do something quick before her Scottish governments crap performance is really examined).

The state of UK politics. We haven't got a credible opposition to the Conservatives (pals of the Big Banks and international finance) so let's elect a leader for Lab or stuck in a time warp from the 70's and 80's. The Liberals have all but disappeared up their own <deleted>. Sturgeon and Salmond couldn't run a chip shop but will screw Scotland for their own vanity and keep forever trying to be the tail wagging the dog.

All of this must be making UKIP feel warm - many will look to them as a vote of frustration, much the same as many in Scotland voted SNP.

Just imagine if this clown ever did get elected PM - with socialists in Germany and France at the helm with him of the EU?

The most recent data available shows that Scotland has posted its 11th successive quarter of expansion at the start of 2015. I don't know about chip shops, but they are doing a decent job of running the country despite the shackles imposed by the nasty party.

Thankfully recent polls put the desire for independence at 53% and climbing so we may get there sooner than we could ever have hoped for this time last year.

In the referendum I really wanted Scotland to remain in the union, but now I'm sick of the whinging from north of the border, the sooner you go the better.

[Jip99]

I believe that this 'election' result will further splinter the left wing of the party and Corbyn will become an attractive voice for the far left (and perhaps members of the Socialist Workers party).

RIP Labour.

[katana]

In the run up to the election, the Tory press will destroy him like they did to Kinnock and Michael Foot.

[blazes]

Michael Foot was beaten by the Falklands victory. Before the Falklands, Thatcher had the worst polling of any British prime minister in history. After Falklands, she never looked back.

It was not "leftism" that beat Labour in 83. After all, Kinnock, who lost heavily in 87, was "right wing".

[MAJIC]

Thats blown labour chances of ever getting into government with him at the helm.

Yep ! as if Labour hadn't enough problems they went and shot themselves in the foot,actually the similarity with Michael Foot is staggering!