Labour leadership not up to the task
At present Labour are well ahead in the polls, though much must be put down to the suicidal, self-destructive element within the leadership of the Tory Party which has, of course, been well documented.
Yet we are still waiting to see what alternatives Labour has to offer, some sort of positive identity, rather than merely talking of distancing themselves from the left. The latter in any case has led to much division which could well lead to its downfall. Jeremy Corbyn losing his whip has not helped in this respect.
As many to the left suspected, Keir Starmer appears to be offering a platform for the Blairites. His support for the awarding of Tony Blair a knighthood has not only drawn the most vehement criticism from within the party but almost universally from the public at large and more particularly from those who lost a member of the family, forces or otherwise, who were deployed in Iraq. Many of the latter we know from the media at large are absolutely devastated.
And let’s not forget that Corbyn, despite much criticism at the time, was totally opposed to going to war in Iraq.
Despite Starmer’s forensic technical competence in debate and such he lacks a great deal in terms of personality, certainly no charisma, such that it’s very apparent that the Party is obliged, time and again, to defend him in this respect.
They can only go so far for it’s not possible to infuse him with a new personality, less gloomy and forlorn in outlook as he always looks as though, metaphorically speaking, he could do with a pair of jump leads being attached to spark him into vibrant action.
Angela Rayner is far more animated but is not taken sufficiently seriously by the public in general and I think it would help if she should come across less preoccupied with appearance.
Finally, I must thank Dr Luke Evans, Conservative MP, for his most positive reply in addressing a recent concern of mine. An interesting compliment no doubt since it emanates from one of socialist persuasion!
David Abbott