Yes, He's only gone and appointed John McDonnell Shadow Chancellor
Classic McDonnell quote.
"It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle. It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA."
I must say I'm impressed by the stiff upper lip being displayed by the PB Tories in the face of their obvious terror of Jezbollah, it's something that brings a tear to the eye.
But will there be enough time for Labour to pull itself together afterwards, and for this ludicrous interregnum to be forgotten by the electorate and take advantage of the new leader's honeymoon?
Labour must be hoping so. But you can't fatten a pig on market day.
The thought I am having is that Corbyn knows he won't survive, so he is going to use this opportunity to put out as many of his (crazy) ideas as possible to hope that some gain traction.
There really should be a book on what Labour MPs are going to be first to resign the whip. I mean I know we are talking about a group of people who supported Gordon Brown blindly and then thought Ed was a good idea but there must be limits.
I doubt it. These are MPs we are talking about, folk who, with the very rare exceptions, are content to say anything to anyone for the sake of £60+K a year plus expenses. I would offer a modest wager that there will be no defections from Labour in the next 12 months.
As Corbyn isn't even trying, what's the point of defecting? This will all be done in a year.
I imagine a lot of the Useful Idiots are getting a terrible sinking feeling right now.
the restoration of progressive income tax of 60% on incomes above £100,000 ... For those at the top it means ending the bonuses and limiting high salaries to no more than 20 times the lowest paid in any company or organisation.
For all others it means replacing the minimum wage with a living wage and a living pension and living welfare benefits, reducing the working week to 35 hours, closing the gender pay gap, controlling rents and energy prices, and restoring rights at work" http://www.johnmcdonnell.org.uk/2012/05/radical-alternative-to-austerity.html
I must say I'm impressed by the stiff upper lip being displayed by the PB Tories in the face of their obvious terror of Jezbollah, it's something that brings a tear to the eye.
Yes, it's tough to maintain discipline under heavy fire, but we're doing our best.
the restoration of progressive income tax of 60% on incomes above £100,000 ... For those at the top it means ending the bonuses and limiting high salaries to no more than 20 times the lowest paid in any company or organisation.
For all others it means replacing the minimum wage with a living wage and a living pension and living welfare benefits, reducing the working week to 35 hours, closing the gender pay gap, controlling rents and energy prices, and restoring rights at work" http://www.johnmcdonnell.org.uk/2012/05/radical-alternative-to-austerity.html
I'm sure Osborne's Living Wage isn't what McDonnell quite had in mind, but Labour have been outflanked on that front.
The Land Value Tax is something that a lot of "neo-liberal" economists think would be a good idea - it would have a much lower deadweight loss than taxes on income, sales or profits.
One of the bigger radical things to look out for is "people's quantitative easing" or some other such piece of neo-chartalism.
the restoration of progressive income tax of 60% on incomes above £100,000 ... For those at the top it means ending the bonuses and limiting high salaries to no more than 20 times the lowest paid in any company or organisation.
For all others it means replacing the minimum wage with a living wage and a living pension and living welfare benefits, reducing the working week to 35 hours, closing the gender pay gap, controlling rents and energy prices, and restoring rights at work" http://www.johnmcdonnell.org.uk/2012/05/radical-alternative-to-austerity.html
"Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every politician around the world instead of taking pride in the size of their armed forces did what the people of Costa Rica have done and abolished the army and took pride in the fact that they don’t have an army, and that their country is near the top of the global peace index. Surely that is the way we should be going forward.”"
You don't have to look to some banana republic to find this.
Iceland has no military budget and no Armed Forced.
It's also in NATO and is therefore defended by, well, us. The quid pro quo is that we can use its territory (including its air space) for NATO purposes.
the restoration of progressive income tax of 60% on incomes above £100,000 ... For those at the top it means ending the bonuses and limiting high salaries to no more than 20 times the lowest paid in any company or organisation.
For all others it means replacing the minimum wage with a living wage and a living pension and living welfare benefits, reducing the working week to 35 hours, closing the gender pay gap, controlling rents and energy prices, and restoring rights at work" http://www.johnmcdonnell.org.uk/2012/05/radical-alternative-to-austerity.html
It's nuts.
What's the difference between a living wage and living benefits? (in monetary terms)
There's no point getting rid of him because another leadership election would give the same result. Labour are truly in the mire.
Would it? MPs might actually use their veto next time.
Forget about your dream of installing a right-winger as Labour leader, Corbyn as sitting Leader can run automatically without the need of endorsements.
Owen Jones @OwenJones84 As well as half Shadow Cabinet being women, women should surely make up half of the big four ministries (PM / Chancellor / Foreign / Home)
Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 8m8 minutes ago Well, one thing's proved tonight. @OwenJones84 is definitely NOT running the Corbyn leadership..
the restoration of progressive income tax of 60% on incomes above £100,000 ... For those at the top it means ending the bonuses and limiting high salaries to no more than 20 times the lowest paid in any company or organisation.
For all others it means replacing the minimum wage with a living wage and a living pension and living welfare benefits, reducing the working week to 35 hours, closing the gender pay gap, controlling rents and energy prices, and restoring rights at work" http://www.johnmcdonnell.org.uk/2012/05/radical-alternative-to-austerity.html
It's nuts.
We'll be fair it would solve too much immigration at a stroke.
Matthew Goodwin @GoodwinMJ It's almost as if someone, somewhere, is messing with us all. 'The Tories are going to have a pop at us about security. I know! McDonnell!'
But will there be enough time for Labour to pull itself together afterwards, and for this ludicrous interregnum to be forgotten by the electorate and take advantage of the new leader's honeymoon?
Labour must be hoping so. But you can't fatten a pig on market day.
How do they get rid of all the hard left members who have either joined or will be joining over the next few weeks?
Where is the mass of moderates who are going to join up to out vote them?
There's no point getting rid of him because another leadership election would give the same result. Labour are truly in the mire.
Would it? MPs might actually use their veto next time.
Forget about your dream of installing a right-winger as Labour leader, Corbyn as sitting Leader can run automatically without the need of endorsements.
If he's forced to resign, then he won't (whether permitted to or not).
The Land Value Tax is something that a lot of "neo-liberal" economists think would be a good idea - it would have a much lower deadweight loss than taxes on income, sales or profits.
Yes... but it should replace one or two (or indeed, several) existing taxes. The Loony Party (formerly Labour) would just pile it on top of our existing taxes.
Could be a genius move by Jezza actually because if (when) the PLP come for him he can turn round and say... OK, remove me if you want, but do you really want McDonnell to replace me as leader?
"Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every politician around the world instead of taking pride in the size of their armed forces did what the people of Costa Rica have done and abolished the army and took pride in the fact that they don’t have an army, and that their country is near the top of the global peace index. Surely that is the way we should be going forward.”"
You don't have to look to some banana republic to find this.
Iceland has no military budget and no Armed Forced.
Correct, it just relies on NATO. Denmark are currently doing the honours I believe with half a squadron of fighters policing Iceland's air space.
Having no military and no defence budget but inviting other people to pay for one's defence is an interesting position, but not one that would find favour generally. Do you think Scotland might try it?
"Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every politician around the world instead of taking pride in the size of their armed forces did what the people of Costa Rica have done and abolished the army and took pride in the fact that they don’t have an army, and that their country is near the top of the global peace index. Surely that is the way we should be going forward.”"
You don't have to look to some banana republic to find this.
Iceland has no military budget and no Armed Forced.
It's also in NATO and is therefore defended by, well, us. The quid pro quo is that we can use its territory (including its air space) for NATO purposes.
If you look at the history of Iceland, it is basically ruled/invaded by whoever wants to on a rotating basis....
"It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle. It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA."
I must say I'm impressed by the stiff upper lip being displayed by the PB Tories in the face of their obvious terror of Jezbollah, it's something that brings a tear to the eye.
But will there be enough time for Labour to pull itself together afterwards, and for this ludicrous interregnum to be forgotten by the electorate and take advantage of the new leader's honeymoon?
Labour must be hoping so. But you can't fatten a pig on market day.
How do they get rid of all the hard left members who have either joined or will be joining over the next few weeks?
Where is the mass of moderates who are going to join up to out vote them?
The MPs won't nominate a hard-left candidate a second time.
Stating the obvious here but Britain really needs a PR voting system so that there's an actual opposition when the biggest opposition party gets into a funny mood.
The thought I am having is that Corbyn knows he won't survive, so he is going to use this opportunity to put out as many of his (crazy) ideas as possible to hope that some gain traction.
So, to get this straight, this is the inclusive, broad-church, all-wings-of-the-party, unifying shadow cabinet which was promised, right?
It's got Andy Burnham in it. So it automatically includes everything from every wing.
But, really, f*** me. This is the logical corollary of electing Corbyn, and I reconciled myself and my betfair book to that fact some time ago. But seeing it in action is something else.
But will there be enough time for Labour to pull itself together afterwards, and for this ludicrous interregnum to be forgotten by the electorate and take advantage of the new leader's honeymoon?
Labour must be hoping so. But you can't fatten a pig on market day.
How do they get rid of all the hard left members who have either joined or will be joining over the next few weeks?
Where is the mass of moderates who are going to join up to out vote them?
The MPs won't nominate a hard-left candidate a second time.
What makes you think the rules will give MPs that privilege next time?
I don't really know McDonell other than the IRA comments, is he really that bad? It's hard to believe he could be worse than Corbyn after being told how bad Corbyn is supposed to be.
Owen Jones @OwenJones84 As well as half Shadow Cabinet being women, women should surely make up half of the big four ministries (PM / Chancellor / Foreign / Home)
Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 8m8 minutes ago Well, one thing's proved tonight. @OwenJones84 is definitely NOT running the Corbyn leadership..
About the difficulties of the top 4, Benn was already on Foreign, Corbyn already Leader, Burnham needed to be accommodated, so that's already 3 out of 4 being men.
I have only heard of john McDonnell because people on here kept saying he might be shadow chancellor if corbyn won... So how come everyone's acting surprised now he is?
I don't really know McDonell other than the IRA comments, is he really that bad? It's hard to believe he could be worse than Corbyn after being told how bad Corbyn is supposed to be.
But, really, f*** me. This is the logical corollary of electing Corbyn, and I reconciled myself and my betfair book to that fact some time ago. But seeing it in action is something else.
This is right. There is no appointment which Jeremy Corbyn can make, no matter how crazy and unthinkable, which outdoes in craziness the Labour Party's appointment of Jeremy Corbyn as its leader.
@stephenpollard: Just to repeat: it was the Corbyn camp who described the position as 'Minister for Jews'. They actually thought it would be welcomed.
Any evidence for this? Or just hysterical nonsense from an extreme right-winger? There really is some gullible cretins on the right when they read something that confirms their lunatic prejudices.
"It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle. It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA."
Why do these people never give credit for the other lot? - Johnny Adair (for example) worked very hard at drug dealing, murder, torture, arson etc as well. It seems rude to deny him his place in scumdom..
I have only heard of john McDonnell because people on here kept saying he might be shadow chancellor if corbyn won... So how come everyone's acting surprised now he is?
Reports earlier this evening 'on twitter' I believe that others had said they wouldn't serve if McDonnel was appointed to that position, and so an assumption he would go elsewhere.
But will there be enough time for Labour to pull itself together afterwards, and for this ludicrous interregnum to be forgotten by the electorate and take advantage of the new leader's honeymoon?
Labour must be hoping so. But you can't fatten a pig on market day.
How do they get rid of all the hard left members who have either joined or will be joining over the next few weeks?
Where is the mass of moderates who are going to join up to out vote them?
The MPs won't nominate a hard-left candidate a second time.
What makes you think the rules will give MPs that privilege next time?
But, really, f*** me. This is the logical corollary of electing Corbyn, and I reconciled myself and my betfair book to that fact some time ago. But seeing it in action is something else.
This is right. There is no appointment which Jeremy Corbyn can make, no matter how crazy and unthinkable, which outdoes in craziness the Labour Party's appointment of Jeremy Corbyn as its leader.
Appointing Jihadi John as Foreign Minister and Gerry Adams as Northern Ireland Minister?
"It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle. It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA."
I have only heard of john McDonnell because people on here kept saying he might be shadow chancellor if corbyn won... So how come everyone's acting surprised now he is?
Umunna was ok to stay in the shadow cabinet if Corbyn nationalised energy companies, ratched up taxes, ended spending restraint, printed money to fund government spending, brought in maximum salaries and took the banks back without compensation to owners. But campaigning to leave the EU, THAT would be anti-business.
What a joke the Blairites are. The EU is like a religion to them.
The Land Value Tax is something that a lot of "neo-liberal" economists think would be a good idea - it would have a much lower deadweight loss than taxes on income, sales or profits.
Yes... but it should replace one or two (or indeed, several) existing taxes. The Loony Party (formerly Labour) would just pile it on top of our existing taxes.
When I am in one of my optimistic moods, I wonder whether Osborne might - when he's feeling radical - go for this kind of thing. The Mirrlees Review was cautiously positive about it.
@stephenpollard: Just to repeat: it was the Corbyn camp who described the position as 'Minister for Jews'. They actually thought it would be welcomed.
Any evidence for this? Or just hysterical nonsense from an extreme right-winger? There really is some gullible cretins on the right when they read something that confirms their lunatic prejudices.
Quite a few other journalists, right and left are confirming the same story
So, to get this straight, this is the inclusive, broad-church, all-wings-of-the-party, unifying shadow cabinet which was promised, right?
It's got Andy Burnham in it. So it automatically includes everything from every wing.
But, really, f*** me. This is the logical corollary of electing Corbyn, and I reconciled myself and my betfair book to that fact some time ago. But seeing it in action is something else.
That Burnham joke made me laugh a lot. It's funny because it's true. Poor Reek.
Surely all this has doubled David Cameron's majority with DUP support and also even if there are no defections the number of labour mps disaffected may well abstain or even vote against Corbyn
Corbyn is really taking the piss with the Parliamentary Labour Party. He probably doesn't like them too much. His Compass group of saddos probably spent many, many meetings slagging everyone else off.
It's a bit like the bullied geeks taking over the asylum. I know I'm mixing my metaphors, but you get my point.
Comments
Jezza is telling us very clearly he doesn't really want to be leader.
And it's hard to see him lasting a year now.
But will there be enough time for Labour to pull itself together afterwards, and for this ludicrous interregnum to be forgotten by the electorate and take advantage of the new leader's honeymoon?
Labour must be hoping so. But you can't fatten a pig on market day.
@paulwaugh: Quite amazing that the Tories now have more women in the top four offices of state roles than Labour shadows.
The thought I am having is that Corbyn knows he won't survive, so he is going to use this opportunity to put out as many of his (crazy) ideas as possible to hope that some gain traction.
Either that or everyone sane turned him down.
I imagine a lot of the Useful Idiots are getting a terrible sinking feeling right now.
The Land Value Tax is something that a lot of "neo-liberal" economists think would be a good idea - it would have a much lower deadweight loss than taxes on income, sales or profits.
One of the bigger radical things to look out for is "people's quantitative easing" or some other such piece of neo-chartalism.
Mike Gapes on being told the identity of the new shadow chancellor on Radio Four: "Are you sure?"
Maybe my brain will be better placed to process all this in the morning.
(PS. I'd love to see Tony Blair's face when he hears this news - just for the lolz)
As well as half Shadow Cabinet being women, women should surely make up half of the big four ministries (PM / Chancellor / Foreign / Home)
Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 8m8 minutes ago
Well, one thing's proved tonight. @OwenJones84 is definitely NOT running the Corbyn leadership..
It's almost as if someone, somewhere, is messing with us all. 'The Tories are going to have a pop at us about security. I know! McDonnell!'
How do they get rid of all the hard left members who have either joined or will be joining over the next few weeks?
Where is the mass of moderates who are going to join up to out vote them?
EXCL Michael Dugher is new shadow culture, media and sport secretary, PoliticsHome can also reveal.
Perhaps they still will.
Having no military and no defence budget but inviting other people to pay for one's defence is an interesting position, but not one that would find favour generally. Do you think Scotland might try it?
This is like a fantasy British Socialist team manager game on the PS4.
"It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle. It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA."
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/may/30/northernireland.devolution
The left is eating itself. Tis a beautiful thing to see.
Corbyn has taken just a day to show that everything the non-deluded thought about him is true.
Also I'd not rule out someone like Mandelson or even Tony Blair himself, starting their own party (National Democrats or something...)
@danielrhamilton
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell: "I wish I could go back to the 80s and assassinate Margaret Thatcher".
But, really, f*** me. This is the logical corollary of electing Corbyn, and I reconciled myself and my betfair book to that fact some time ago. But seeing it in action is something else.
Both caused my chin to drop to the floor.
"Mr McDonnell, MP for The Hayes and Harlington, said he would be glad to "go back to the 1980s and assassinate Thatcher"."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/7808953/John-McDonnell-says-he-would-like-to-assassinate-Margaret-Thatcher.html
There really is some gullible cretins on the right when they read something that confirms their lunatic prejudices.
This is just superb.
I think Corbyn and his allies are going to galvanise a lot of supporters. Of the other parties.
So - the next thing to happen!
Is Corbyn actually a Conservative agent within the Labour Party?
What a joke the Blairites are. The EU is like a religion to them.
http://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/mirrleesreview/design/ch16.pdf
It's a horror show. It's like a toddler has found an open gun cabinet.....
David Jack
@DJack_Journo
@patrick_kidd @kayaburgess @KateMaltby White people love to divide and rule
https://twitter.com/DianaJohnsonMP/status/643180094383628288
It's a bit like the bullied geeks taking over the asylum. I know I'm mixing my metaphors, but you get my point.