Bitter split may end with anti-Corbyn MPs finding home with Lib Dems
THE last time Labour imploded I was living in New York so I watched the drama from 3,000 miles away.
Now I’m seeing Labour disintegrate close up and it is an altogether more gruesome, bloody and t ragic spectacle.
Three decades ago ex- Labour Cabinet ministers Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Shirley Williams and Bill Rodgers peeled off to form the centreleft SDP.
The White House was jolly keen on the SDP, not least because Labour in those days wanted to de p o r t US nukes f rom Britain and give ours P45s.
Jeremy Corbyn would like to do much t he same today, so once again the White House might be happy to see Labour split.
For t he 172 MPs who voted against their leader this presents practical problems.
Jezza would keep Labour’s name, money, administration and offices. And new New Labour would be homeless.
The answer is to hook up with the Lib Dems and use their money, admin and offices. Both former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown and current one Tim Farron have floated the possibility.
The Lib Dems have a well-organised party structure but only eight MPs rattling around inside it.
Such a merger would be like crossing a labrador with a poodle to create a labradoodle. This new party c ould c al l LabourdoodleDems.
But that’s such a mouthful I imagine the name would soon reduce to the Diddlydums. Unions wanted a deal with rebel Labour MPs so Jeremy could stay.
Deputy leader Tom Watson wanted a deal with the unions but only if Jeremy
went. Those it s el f t he were irreconcilable positions. Which was why both sides gave up yesterday.
Leadership challenger Angela Eagle has her running shoes on but might lose, given Jeremy’s popularity with Labour members. That would bring the Diddlydums a little bit nearer.
It’s not enough for Corbers to have the party onside. To function in a parliamentary democracy he also needs the confidence of MPs.
So Labour’s conference in September could be another gruesome, bloody and tragic spectacle.
By then Corbyn may be gone. But if he’s still here then it’s the MPs who will go and the Diddlydums will become Her Majesty’s official Opposition. For the Yankees that would be
doodle dandy.