Labour and Germany 1930-33

Polly Toynbee concludes that a no-deal "disaster" "would see the Tories render themselves unelectable for a generation", but if this is all part of Labour`s long-term objective, it is likely to go horribly wrong (A government of national unity can deliver us from no-deal, 06/08/19).

Corbyn`s plan appears now to be to win a vote of no-confidence in Johnson, and force a general election. His campaign would be based on promising to "reopen talks with the EU", presumably with the forlorn hope of a softer Brexit being arranged, with jobs, investment and trade all hunky-dory! The right wing media will have a field day!

   If the election takes place after 31st October, as Cummings plans, Labour will face the wrath of the electorate for not standing up for remain earlier; consequently the anti-Tory vote will be divided, and Johnson could well stay in power. Has no one in Corbyn`s top team studied Germany`s history between 1930 and 1933?

With Labour, to misquote Matthew d`Ancona, "masquerading" as an opposition party, seemingly ignorant of the particularly relevant political lesson history has taught us, that the right thrives when the left is divided, and refusing to adopt a remain position, chances of victory in  any forthcoming election appear slim. There is little point in deselecting MPs to "open the door for more diverse, younger, working-class MPs" when the party`s leadership`s main tactic appears to be suggesting more talks with the EU over a softer Brexit deal (Trigger ballots,not the general election, focus Labour MPs` minds, 05/08/19)Imagine what the right wing media would make of that, come campaign time!

   At least John McDowell has the right idea. By questioning the position of the new chancellor with claims that Javid profited "from the greed which fuelled the financial crisis", and demanding his tax returns be published, McDowell is getting attention focused on the total unsuitability of Johnson`s cabinet to run the country (Javid`s City career "makes him dubious choice for chancellor", 05/08/19). A late summer campaign on why the Tories have done next to nothing about tax avoidance over nearly ten years in power would make a welcome change from Labour`s obvious Brexit problem!

Emily Thornberry is too late with her assessment that the Labour party "would be off our bloody rockers" ("We`d be off our rockers" not to seize chance of referendum, 01/08/19). Corbyn`s plan appears now to be to win a vote of no-confidence in Johnson, and force a general election. His campaign would be based on being against a no-deal Brexit, promising instead to "reopen talks with the EU", presumably with the forlorn hope of a softer Brexit being arranged, and jobs, investment and trade hunky-dory! Are these tactics designed to win an election? The right wing media will have a field day!

         Millions of us, like Thornberry, would prefer an acknowledgement that lies were told in the 2016 referendum, and the full consequences of Brexit were never fully understood or explained; remain, the only sensible option, has to be in the Labour manifesto, alongside left wing policies to drive down inequality and ensure investment is no longer a southern preserve. 

        With Corbyn pledging yet more talks with the EU, the anti-Tory vote would be split many ways, and success handed on a plate to Johnson. There are intelligent, knowledgeable people in Corbyn`s leadership team. Could I respectfully suggest they refer back to the history of Germany, 1930-33? 

Corbyn might well have "spent an awful lot of time listening to people with divergent views", but it`s a shame no one mentioned the possibility of the anti-Tory vote being split (Corbyn "raring to go" as Labour gears up for election battle but declines to come out for remain, 29/07/19). What is the point of "gearing up" for an election, and having excellent policies "about reducing inequality in Britain", when on the key issue of Brexit there is still obfuscation? Surely there is enough polling evidence to suggest that Labour`s lack of clarity does not go down well with the electorate?

      Trying to appease pro-Leave Labour voters with "a Labour-negotiated deal" will do nothing to satisfy the millions of Labour voters dead set against leaving the EU, and gift votes to the nationalist and remain-supporting parties, split the anti-Tory vote, and could even give Johnson a majority as a result. History should have taught Labour`s leadership team the danger of deliberately dividing the left vote, when faced with far-right opponents!