Thread by @swardley

This is what true leadership looks like. Understanding the issues and keeping focused on the common weal. @jeremycorbyn does Labour proud - theguardian.com/politics/2018/… ... a Clement Attlee of our time.

X : But @jeremycorbyn is ignoring Labour members.
Me : Hmmm, you mean Jeremy Corbyn is sticking to party policy agreed at the party conference. That's what leaders do. What they don't do is change policy on a whim just because you or some other members don't like what was agreed.

X : His stated policy of forcing, winning an election, then negotiating a “better deal” makes him look delusional
Me : Only if you think that the most important thing is Brexit rather than being secondary to more important social issues.

X : Brexit will harm the poor.
Me : I don't know how to explain this. There are many people (and we're probably talking between 100k to 1M) terrified of benefit sanctions, to the point of sleepless nights and continual fear. They live on the edge of a precipice ...

... I haven't seen the figures in terms of death toll caused by poverty (including suicide, homelessness etc)- it'll be horrendous. Poverty is a disease of society and UK has been in the grips of an epidemic for a decade or more. There are bigger issues than brexit.

X : We should just revoke article 50 and concentrate on social issues.
Me : Do you not understand the reason why in the referendum people came "flooding off the estates", many voting for the first time? Do you honestly think that just going back to the status quo will help?

... it's ok to revoke article 50 but you have to do this with a message of hope i.e. simultaneously declare a massive wealth fund to address inequality e.g. 10% one off wealth tax on all properties over £1M, 10% wealth tax on UK richest 50, 10% wealth tax on all share ownership.

... it's not ok to return to status quo, to go back to ignoring the left behind, to say "we will deal with it" at some unspecified time in the future. If you really want to get everyone on your side in a remain argument, you need to be demanding a major redistribution of wealth.

X : have you outlined your argument as to why the social issues are the EU's fault?
Me : I don't say it is. I don't like the neoliberal heart of the EC but that's something else. What you're failing to understand is why people voted to leave ...

... It's no coincidence that the most deprived areas voted leave. You can ridicule those people all you like for being stupid, uneducated or whatever slander makes you feel righteous. They voted because they had the right to and they wanted to express how they felt.

I had friends that were truly worried that if they went and voted leave that their benefits would be cut off because of some Gov agency monitoring. You'd be amazed at how the stress of poverty creates and breeds irrational fears ...

... they voted because they felt that by leaving they would no longer be ignored. Well, we had be ignoring them for decades under the auspices of the EU. They wanted that sense of control which was all wrapped up in terms like democracy, sovereignty etc.

... what they got was not solidarity, a coming together, a better understanding of their plight but 2.5 years of more austerity and being told they're stupid, racist, ignorant, xenophobes and how they were wrong and we should hold the vote again.

... of course, most of my friends in that world don't inhabit twitter. They'd be horrified if they did ... actually, that's probably the wrong word ... angry is more likely. It's a different bubble here.

X : Do you believe not leaving would cause riots?
Me : I've no idea what will happen. I know that hopelessness and anger aren't a good mix. Just remember, it's bigger than brexit and some perceive many have already died - blogs.bmj.com/bmjopen/2017/1… ... you need to give people hope.

X : Isn't wealth redistribution a temporary fix?
Me : When I say a major redistribution of wealth, I do mean a wealth fund focused on creating opportunities for the poorest and tackling the social pressures created by poverty. Not simply dolling some cash about.

X : What do you think about universal basic income?
Me : I've been in favour of this for almost 30 years. However, I view it as part of the solution. There are many other issues related to opportunity, the pressures of poverty and redistribution mechanisms.

X : Why do you prefer WTO?
Me : I view there is potential but I also see EEA docked to EFTA as a good compromise. I've no issue with compromise as long as we bring those who most need it. If Parliament revokes article 50 then fine but create that wealth fund and give people hope.

X : I thought you were all about democracy?
Me : I am. I will always take more. But I'm also in favour of sustainability. Give me a choice of keeping the status quo but raising hundreds of billions for a wealth fund to tackle inequality then sustainability wins.

X : Do you think we should have a peoples vote?
Me : No. I think Parliament should have a vote on the Withdrawal Agreement as soon as possible. Then Parliament should decide on what are the next steps.