,
5 tweets,
1 min read
Read on Twitter
The problem with this arg is that there is a strong correlation in the electorate between imm, nationalism (economic & otherwise) and Euroscepticism
There are nationalist Eurosceptic voters, but they are anti-imm
There are pro-imm voters, but they are nationalist and Eurosceptic.
There are nationalist Eurosceptic voters, but they are anti-imm
There are pro-imm voters, but they are nationalist and Eurosceptic.
A platform of pro-immigration Eurosceptic economic nationalism is thus giving Labour a position held by virtually no voters.
A similar problem occurs with Corbyn's unusual stance of supporting much more liberal asylum policy while opposing economic immigration
A similar problem occurs with Corbyn's unusual stance of supporting much more liberal asylum policy while opposing economic immigration
Some of the contradiction could be resolved by partisanship and relative salience. But only if salience of EU falls for social liberals who would support this stance from Lab on immigration (which it might in time, though not in the near term I suspect).
Within the more core Labour partisan electorate and activist base wld be interesting to see if voters and activists would be willing to shift their positions to fit party leadership stances if these were the ones taken. Interesting test of power of elites to influence voters.
Grr. Last line on first tweet should read "There are pro-imm voters, but they *aren't* nationalist and Eurosceptic." Sorry for any confusion.
