Feeble

[poliphilo]

There's a crisis in the NHS and the Labour party should be all over it- giving the government a really hard time. And it's not. If Labour can't stand up- loud and proud- for the NHS- which is its creation and close to the heart of what it's supposed to be all about- then what on earth is it for?

Instead Corbyn has been banging on about a wage cap for the very rich- a noble cause- but not- right now- a burning issue. It's like there's a  World Cup match in progress and everyone is glued to their sets and Corbyn is out in the yard bouncing a ball against the wall and going, "Look at me, Ma,  I just scored again!"

I supported Corbyn. I like and admire him. I don't think Labour's current feebleness is all his fault. Not at all. But wouldn't it be nice to have an opposition that- well- did some opposing?

Comments

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

He just doesn't seem to be able to prioritise. This is not the first time he's been going on about something that, while important, is not the current top priority.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

But of course he's not getting support from his colleagues. It can't be easy standing there facing Theresa May, knowing that most of the people behind you are wishing you'd eff and die.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

But if he followed the news and made some rousing speeches about how he'd tackle the current Burning Issue Problem, then he might just rally his troops behind him.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think the basic problem is he's not really leadership material. He's too mild, too scrupulous. He doesn't have the ability to get up on a stage and connect with his audience.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

It is so sad to see the opposition not being effective and we do need a strong opposition.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Our system is predicated on there being two parties facing one another at sword's length- both eager for office and capable of assuming it- and right now we don't have that at all.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

And yet neither do with have a more European model of shifting alliances, compromise and negotiation between a larger number of parties. Right now our politics is badly broken.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We're in limbo. We're waiting to see what form Brexit will take, also waiting for a resolution of the Scottish question. I don't see a strong new politics emerging until we know the nature and extent of the nation to be governed.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Did I dream him spending the whole of Prime Minister's Questions this week talking about the NHS?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Oh perhaps he did. In which case I owe him an apology.

And I thought I'd been paying attention. :(

But...

Labour should be setting the agenda here- and they aren't. They should be making a noise the media can't ignore. I was listening to a Labour spokesperson talking about the NHS on the news today and he was being affable and talking managerial jargon and it was hard to keep listening because it was so tepid and boring.