Speaker by Various Artists

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Speaker: A Disorderly Brexit

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  • Tom Semmens,

    The PLP plotters seriously sem to think they can get a legitimate result by going to court to keep Corbyn off the ballot, by trying to stack the voting rolls in their favour, by constantly smearing their opponents as anti-semites, by playing the poor little rich kid victim whenever they are criticised and by trying to arrogate to themselves the name and assets of the Labour party… basically every dirty, undemocratic trick they can think of in their ongoing tantrum of entitlement thawted. The Blairite PLP in the UK is now officiallly completely insane, they’ve gone troppo in the heat of the luxury resort that is Westminster la la land. The UK Labour party is heading for it’s greatest internal crisis since since Ramsay MacDonald’s great act of treachery in 1931.

    It seems the hard right of Labour is determined to force the issue and would welcome a schism in the belief that taking the bulk of the PLP and securing the funding of elite donors like Assem Allam, owner of Hull City football club and an admirier of Blair is a viable political option. They would be the very definition of an establishment elite cadre party representing nothing except exisiting to corruptly manipulate the electoral system to deny popular change. Given the rise of UKIP and the nature of FPP elections it seems the right of Labour would rather split the Labour vote and see UKIP or Tory candidates come through than see a socialist Labour party.In effect, if they are going down, they are going to try and take all of Labour with them. Then they’ll head off to well paid jobs as consultants, directors and PR people.

    They are stark raving mad both in method and purpose.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to John Farrell,

    So, what is your point, Marc C?

    Oh, good. It's not just me, then.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Marc C, in reply to nzlemming,

    Haha, did you not read my response above?

    Well, maybe it is due to views like yours, and the implied claim of being infallible, that the Brits did in their majority vote exactly as they did in that EU referendum.

    Auckland • Since Oct 2012 • 437 posts Report Reply

  • Marc C, in reply to nzlemming,

    Further to the above, I know people in Europe, having run family farms or businesses for two generations, now stuffed, facing bankruptcy, this partly due to "globalisation" and EU alignment of economic policies, they are at their end, some close to nervous breakdown. We have farmers in New Zealand faced with huge debt, having gone into dairy, now more or less bankrupt, we have immense shakeups on a global scale, also affecting ordinary workers, not benefiting.

    And then we get certain "idealistic" people with tertiary degrees, with privilege, in charge so to say, tell us how "stupid" we are when we question things, maybe take a walk and do some reflecting, the EU is screwed, the world is screwed, and nobody commenting here has the answers, I dare say even Andrew Little failed again for Labour today, to announce some fancy housing program to be realised with the help of usually profit focused, self interested developers.

    The time is ripe for some real revolution, many out here had enough, and some high minded academic commentary by the always know better people does to many only sound like endless arrogance, being out of touch, thank you.

    Privilege sucks, I dare say.

    Auckland • Since Oct 2012 • 437 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Marc C,

    ...nobody commenting here has the answers...

    I guess not. Time for Russell to close down PAS then?

    Or maybe not, while there's still the possibilty that some of us derive value from the free and frank exchange of information and opinions in a relatively troll-free environment.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Dennis Frank,

    A British citizen & academic living here has been disconcerted by folks here being puzzled by his support for brexit, and explains it as our media bias portraying the separatist majority as being sick in the head.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11672585

    He goes on to explain his concerns about the EU, citing lack of democratic accountability, laws made by bureaucrats, lack of a social contract, diplomacy by threats, and an organised attempt to misrepresent opponents of immigration as racists.

    All entirely sensible. He hasn't pointed out that our media are merely doing what they are told in support of the globalist neoliberal agenda. Their retention of their jobs depends on conforming to the wishes of their corporate owners. Even TVNZ now makes no pretence whatsoever about performing a public service, ensuring their dwinding viewers are force-fed increasingly puerile drivel as pretend news & current afffairs.

    New Zealand • Since Jun 2016 • 292 posts Report Reply

  • linger, in reply to Dennis Frank,

    There are certainly legitimate enough concerns about the direction of the EU, but the decision to leave doesn’t seem to address any of them.

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Alfie,

    The New Labour faction is desperately trying to pull off their coup against Corbyn. At the moment their best hope is enforcing a ruling that he'll require the support of 51 sitting MPs to even appear on the ballot paper. This is a bizarre coup, not least because Corbyn’s main policies align perfectly with core Labour party policy.

    Opposing Corbyn is Angela Eagle. She backed the Iraq War, voted to bomb Syria, is pro-Trident and abstained on the vote proposing cruel Tory welfare cuts. She's about as far right as you can get whilst masquerading under a Labour banner.

    It goes to show that with each passing day, Tony Blair's New Labour doctrine is looking increasingly like a product of its time. Just like "Cool Britannia". The turning point was most certainly the Second Iraq War.

    Closer to home, one of its holdouts - a semi-regular pundit on TV & the Web - had the cheek to insinuate that champagne socialists were responsible for UK Labour turning its back on the working class, allowing Brexit to happen and that all Brexit voters were insular bigots. What said pundit was really describing was the aforementioned New Labour.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Who?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    So the NEC has voted to allow Corbyn to stand in the leadership election. I wouldn't be surprised if, in the absence of another non-Blairite, he wins again.

    I wonder what the Blairites will do then - a flounce would almost certainly be terminal, but they might do it anyway.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    Who?

    Here's a clue: the pundit is a she, and isn't a big fan of Jeremy Corbyn. Here's a selection of her words on Brexit, and Google can tell you the rest. To me it came across as Blairite blame-shifting.

    The trouble occurs when progressive parties become the property of Pioneers (middle class liberals). Pioneers don't just disagree with the working class base, they disapprove. They are less likely than others in the potential support base to understand that someone could comprehend the facts yet reasonably disagree with them.

    The Remain campaign in Britain was at its least successful when it was run by and for the Pioneers. Fifty six per cent of voters said concerns about immigration contributed to their voting choices in the past election, but they felt it was a subject you shouldn't talk about. They trust Boris Johnson, who fronted the Brexit campaign, not because they agree with him, but because they think Boris is "prepared to say unpalatable truths".

    Settlers and Prospectors link immigration to changing demographics at local schools and access to health services. Pioneers make a progressive case for immigration that misses these concerns and drives Settlers and Prospectors to support right-wing populists.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • David Hood, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    So the NEC has voted to allow Corbyn to stand in the leadership election.

    Reported though, after a couple of pro-Corbyn committee members had left at the end of the meeting, the committee then held a surprise vote on a off agenda item of setting a 6 month stand-down for new members of Labour to be able to vote- So no-one who has joined the party since February can vote.

    As people in a union will be able to vote in the contest if they join before August 8th, apparently union membership signup sites have been collapsing under the strain.

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the absence of another non-Blairite, he wins again.

    I wonder what the Blairites will do then – a flounce would almost certainly be terminal, but they might do it anyway.

    The Labour MPs involved with the coup have all stated that they couldn't work with Corbyn. Assuming the situation arises where Corbyn is re-elected (probably with an increased majority of the membership vote), then surely it behoves the Blairite MPs to stand down.

    As for the Blarite Angela Eagle who is standing against Corbyn, her own constituency (Wallasey in Merseyside) Labour party last week passed a motion of support for Corbyn. The people have spoken and where does that leave her?

    There was an excellent Ben Jennings cartoon in the Guardian the other day. I'll post that below as in-line images aren't an option.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    Attachment

    Ben Jennings in the Guardian -- Eagle serves to Corbyn

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Dennis Frank,

    Presuming nobody here has the answers to bad global trends, the behaviour of the control system & inadequacies of economics & democracy, is only natural because blogs are created by commentators - not solution providers!

    It's still possible that the interweb may produce an arena designed to foster collaboration in evolving positive alternatives. Switching from a stance of perpetual cluelessness, cowardice & subservience to one of enterprise, expertise & lateral-thinking is the way to start that shift in blogosphere culture.

    Since mainstreamers are driven by the market, and democracy is designed to produce lowest-common-denominator outputs, the political left & right are driven to compete in a race to the bottom. To catalyse a shift away from this status quo of mediocrity, folks dedicated to creating a better culture are required.

    So long as individualism & narcissism prevail, people will prefer to do their own thing rather than work together on a solution trajectory. Only those ready, willing & able to co-create a better way forward for all are likely to shift our political & economic paradigms: they also need a social context in which to operate. Recruiting a philanthropist to fund such teamwork and venue seems the best strategy to get started.

    New Zealand • Since Jun 2016 • 292 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Dennis Frank,

    blogs are created by commentators – not solution providers!

    I'm not convinced that the two are mutually exclusive...
    ...and it does remind of Private Eye's regular 'Solutions' section - highlighting and lampooning this favoured piece of corporate-speak.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    …and it does remind of Private Eye’s regular ‘Solutions’ section

    Nicely put, Ian. I had thought about asking for an English translation but wrote off the idea as possibly being too sarcastic.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    The UK's new, unelected PM has appointed Boris the Clown as her new foreign secretary. Talk about distain for the electorate.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Alfie,

    The UK's new, unelected PM has appointed Boris the Clown as her new foreign secretary. Talk about distain for the electorate.

    There's a theory floating about that she deliberately put him there so that when he inevitably stuffs it up completely she can shuffle him off into obscurity in disgrace. Not sure how much weight I give it, but liike I say, it's being tabled.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    May's radical cabinet cleanout has certainly shocked a lot of people. Writing in the Guardian, Polly Toynbee describes it as a "brutal clear-out of the Cameron era". Her depiction of Osborne is sublime.

    With a hiss of sulphur George Osborne exits stage right, never again his smirking budgets to pound the half of the nation relying on housing benefit or tax credits. He had to go – not just for serial failure, but in the culture change sweeping away the Cameron clique: Notting Hill and public school replaced with grammar-school grafters.

    The biggest surprise has to be the appointment of Bullingdon old boy Boris as foreign secretary. This man has already insulted a huge swathe of the world's leaders, is pro-Israel and flying in the face of existing UK policy, believes the UK should be fighting alongside Assad and Putin. Yep... that's gonna go well.

    Consider for a moment that this appointment also places BoJo in charge of MI6. Now that's a scary thought.

    One area where Britain has always led the world is satire -- this from John Crace.

    Time for a breather and some lunch. Theresa switched on the news to find that, in his first address to Foreign Office staff, Boris Johnson had promised to re-colonise Africa and pose naked as Mr November for President Putin’s 2017 calendar. Maybe it hadn’t been quite such a good appointment after all.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Moz, in reply to Alfie,

    Britain has always led the world is satire

    I thought for a second you were accusing May of satire with the appointment. The idea of Trump and Boris having a diplomatic meeting is definitely satirical.

    Stross also has a take with Case Nightmare Blond

    Sydney, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 1233 posts Report Reply

  • David Hood,

    It is fortunate the new British Foriegn minister has Turkish ancestry, it would make him much more credible if he is sent to mediate the coup.

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to David Hood,

    Especially as he has insulted the Turkish President in his 'award winning poetry' - http://www.rferl.org/content/turkish-silence-on-boris-johnson-insulting-erdogan/27857878.html

    Even though his ancestor was briefly part of the Ottoman Turkish government I suspect the well-upholstered Boris is merely an almost six-foot stool...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Attachment

    Even though his ancestor was briefly part of the Ottoman Turkish government I suspect the well-upholstered Boris is merely an almost six-foot stool…

    Love your work Ian.

    This Matt Kenyon graphic accompanying Jonathan Freedland's Guardian story -- "With Boris Johnson in charge of diplomacy, Britain has insulted the world" -- sums up the Bojo situation perfectly.

    It's been a helluva few days. Brexit and the Bojo fiasco, Trump creeping ahead of Hillary in US polls, bitter UK Labour Party infighting, a new variation on lone-wolf terrorism resulting in mass deaths in Nice and now a military coup underway in Turkey. It feels like Western stability is going to hell in a handbasket.

    Honestly, if you have any interest in European and world politics, it feels like the western world as we know it is crashing down in a big heap at the moment.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • John Farrell, in reply to Alfie,

    Ah, but we're as far away from there as we could get.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report Reply

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