Now ‘Militant Tendency’ backs Corbyn as leader of ‘a new Labour party’
THE successors to the Militant Tendency have backed Jeremy Corbyn’s bid to be Labour leader.
The Socialist Party – the new name for the group purged by Neil Kinnock in the 1980s – said it ‘wished him well’.
Earlier this week the organisation denied claims that it was one of the parties attempting to infiltrate Labour to ensure the election of a hard-Left leader amenable to their views.
But the militants pointed out that the new Labour election process, which allows people to pay £3 for a vote in the contest, was making it possible for them to get their views across.
A statement on the Socialist Party website said: ‘The Socialist Party (formerly the Militant Tendency) wishes Jeremy Corbyn well in the Labour leadership election. If he is victorious it would be a real step forward and, in effect, the formation of a new party.’
And today a rattled Andy Burnham will admit that his Left-wing rival is breaking through in the Labour leadership race because politicians are seen as ‘identikit’.
He will blame the ‘timidity’ of the Labour Party for the fact that Mr Corbyn has taken the lead in polling and in nominations from local party branches.
Labour has l ost support because its leaders gained the reputation of ‘speaking in soundbites, sticking to the script and looking like they don’t believe a word they are saying’, the Westminster shadow health secretary will admit.
In his speech in Leeds this evening, which is taking place despite a supposed summer truce between the candidates, Mr Burnham will go on to say that today’s Labour Party could not have created the NHS because it wouldn’t have the courage to do it.
And he will criticise colleagues – such as Blairite candidate Liz Kendall, who has said a Corbyn leadership would bring disaster to the party.
‘This week marks the 70th anniversary of the election of the Attlee Government,’ he will say. ‘You would think that would be cause for joyous celebration, but I mark it with a sad realisation that the modern Labour Party could not have created the NHS.
‘It has become frightened by its own shadow and does not have the courage or capacity to do it.
‘It has become a purveyor of retail politics, trading in the devalued currency of policy gimmicks designed to grab a quick headline but which don’t change the world.
‘It is in this context that we need to judge the current leadership race and ask why Jeremy Corbyn is having such an impact.’
Mr Burnham was originally seen as frontrunner in the leadership race, but last week a shock poll showed Mr Corbyn as on course for victory.
THE Conservative Party must not become complacent about its future amid predictions that Labour could be out of power for a generation, David Cameron has warned. He said: ‘No one should rest on their laurels.’