Read In The Event of a Corbyn Victory

Labour's identity crisis

It is almost exactly two weeks until the Labour leadership contest is over. The party will either have a new leader or re-elect a leader that has lost the confidence of his MPs. Polling suggests that Jeremy Corbyn will be voted back in as leader although there are reports to the contrary from parts of the opposing side. If Corbyn is re-elected, it will be a major moment for the party and for me personally.

I have never been convinced of the Corbyn effect, even after attending a rally in his first leadership election, which is why I have strongly backed his challenger Owen Smith. Labour under Corbyn has never led in the polls, Labour under Corbyn endured the worst council elections for an opposition in 30 years and Labour under Corbyn has moved away from myself (and judging by the polls a large number of electorate) in some key policy areas. This is why I have backed Owen Smith and the wider PLP in their lack of confidence in, and challenge to, the current leader.

Background Details

I have been asked a few times through social media about what I might do after a Corbyn victory and I wanted to write about what I think I will do and explain my reasoning. First, I want to produce a little background to this and state that having been raised in a pro Labour household (and currently pro Corbyn household) I have been a lifelong supporter of the party. I have been eligable to vote in two general elections and in both I gave my vote to Labour. I thought I would always vote Labour. Corbyn has changed that.

Corbyn's stance on the economy, immigration, the EU and his poor leadership of a party means that should Labour enter a general election with Corbyn as leader I could not in good conscience vote for the party I used to feel represented me best. I say, used to, because the policies and beliefs that Corbyn has shown in the EU referendum and in the following leadership election have moved the party away from my views and my views have in fact been shouted down by other supporters of the party. This has led me to feel that I am no longer represented by Labour.

My Reasoning

Fight for your right to Brexit

I would like to stay in the EU or at the least the single market, I fear what would happen if we do not. It has become clear Corbyn does not feel the same. He is not fighting, or examining, the exit from the EU nearly enough.

I am pro-immigration but in reasonable numbers, I would be happy with the numbers remaining around 200,000 or 300,000 as they are now. What Corbyn has stated is that he would place no upper limit on immigration, which will alienate a large number of even Labour’s voters.

I am pro investment in the economy, I don’t for one second believe austerity is the answer. I do however believe in clearing the deficit, albeit at a slower pace over a decade or two. Corbyn announced an unfunded £500bn investment plan during the leadership campaign which is great but would massively increase the deficit. It also wilfully ignores that Labour did not gain the trust of the public over the economy in 2015 running on a much more sensible budget. 

Corbyn has left his cabinet unsupported and without instruction for much of his tenure, see multiple accounts from former and currently serving cabinet members., even the London mayor. His opposition to the government has been weak, his performances at PMQ’s poor and will not count out deselections. The fact he loses confidence of 80% of his own party, the people needed to form effective government and sell the party to the public, and does not resign is disrespectful to the party. I couldn’t honestly say I trust Corbyn to be Prime Minister of this country.

I am also a realist. I, like many others in the electorate I am sure, want to see reasonable, realistic and funded ideas. Some of Corbyn’s goals and ‘policies’ have been frankly pie in the sky. Talking about world peace and how Britain will inspire many other countries to give up nuclear weapons is not realistic. Revealing a £500bn figure without details of where the money will come from or where it will go. Explaining that the abuse the Labour Party has suffered will end because he ‘doesn’t condone it’ is not good enough. I have attended an Owen Smith press conference and heard concrete details, a plan and funded policies, which is what I expect from my politicians.

What Next?

For all the above reasons and a couple more, I don’t feel represented by Labour any longer and is why I couldn’t rightfully call myself a supporter of the party after his re-election. I also would not feel comfortable challenging some of these views with some supporters of the party as I would be shouted down and called names or told to leave. It has been difficult facing up to this because as I mentioned already I have always felt well represented by Labour and thought myself likely to always vote for the party.

It also makes it difficult to admit that I will consider other parties that now more closely represent my views. The Liberal Democrats strong stance on the EU is very appealing, as is their centre left stance on some issues. It would in all honesty be a reluctant change but in the light of a Corbyn victory it is a change that I have to consider. I fear for the party that I have always supported, as shown in Thursday’s by-election in Sheffield, the extra members and the rallies are not translating to any kind of support outside the party.

It has been a difficult few weeks, having felt well represented by the Labour Party for the entirety of my political life and seeing that eroded away. I am sure there are those on the opposite to me who have never felt so connected to a mainstream party however Labour has, for the most part, always been a centre left, democratic socialist party but that identity feels like it is being lost to me.  

I will be hoping for a surprise when the election results are revealed and that Owen Smith will give Labour a bounce in the polls that it much needs. I hope also that I won’t be left without a party properly representing me. I fear that neither will come true and fear that many others, like me, will not back a Corbyn led Labour at the next general election.