1 more labour MP and 3 conservative MPs quit their respective parties to join the 7 other labour MPs
What are their policies? Why are they calling themselves a group and not a party? (The second part is a leading question, apologies)
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MartinII · 70-79, M
Nine out of 10 are at odds with their party on a wide range of issues, but the one thing they have in common is opposition to Brexit. I think there are two reasons they are not calling it a party at present. First, they don’t have any agreed policies and second they don’t have a supporting organisation, or anyone to fund it. Of course that may change quickly.
The tenth, Joan Ryan, is quite different and in my opinion more interesting. She has resigned from the Labour Party solely on the grounds of the Labour leadership’s anti-semitism and opposition to the state of Israel (opposition to its existence, not just its government’s policies). She is quite right to link those two things.
The tenth, Joan Ryan, is quite different and in my opinion more interesting. She has resigned from the Labour Party solely on the grounds of the Labour leadership’s anti-semitism and opposition to the state of Israel (opposition to its existence, not just its government’s policies). She is quite right to link those two things.
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MartinII · 70-79, M
@gol979 She’s saying both, and by implication that the two go together, which I think is right. While I differentiate between the two terms, I’m arguing that the two are really the same thing in substance. If someone is anti-Zionist (in the full sense of opposing the existence of the state of Israel) then I think that makes them intrinsically anti-semitic.
MartinII · 70-79, M
@Burnley123 Fair points. My own linguistic preference is to avoid the word racist when I can. I think it’s become a catch-all pejorative term which is used to cover a multitude of sins, and some things which are not sins at all.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
I canvassed of Jo Ryan in her (highly-marginal) constituency in the last election. So did a lot of people on the Labour left. We overlooked her militantly pro-Israel policies because we wanted Labour MPs to get elected.
Admittedly, we were doing this in part to help Jeremy but it sucks that we put in time and effort to support someone who stood on our manifesto and they then leave the party in less than two years.
People who leave a party within their term should mandatorily have to stand for re-election. They got elected on the party ticket. Five years ago, there were two MPs who left the Tories for UKIP. Both of them sought re-election immediately and they both won. I think these guys all know that they couldn't win an election on their own.
Admittedly, we were doing this in part to help Jeremy but it sucks that we put in time and effort to support someone who stood on our manifesto and they then leave the party in less than two years.
People who leave a party within their term should mandatorily have to stand for re-election. They got elected on the party ticket. Five years ago, there were two MPs who left the Tories for UKIP. Both of them sought re-election immediately and they both won. I think these guys all know that they couldn't win an election on their own.
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@Burnley123 While I sympathise with your point, the system says that you vote for the person, so you get them warts and all. If it is a consolation, you were actually voting against the conservatives from the sound of it and in electing her you did prevent one more from letting a seat.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@whowasthatmaskedman Yes it was tory Labour. I'm still pissed off though. Lol
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@Burnley123 Of course.. As you should be. Stay pi$$ed off until you get to vote next time. Its the only way they will learn
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
They don't like Corbyn and they don't like Brexit. They have no policies and won't release their funding but we can guestimate that they will be centre-right on economic policy and a bit socially liberal. That place represents by about fifty percent of the media but about 5% of the public.
They claim to represent a new politics but they are basically a re-hashed Blairite Camaroonism.
They claim to represent a new politics but they are basically a re-hashed Blairite Camaroonism.
thatscottishguy · 26-30, M
thatscottishguy · 26-30, M
Nyloncapes · 61-69, M
@thatscottishguy so true I would be as well, wait till the local and by elections come around , and they start knocking on people's door. Hope they knock on mine,
NoSugar · 22-25, F
right now a "it cannot possibly get any worse" policy is very promising