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I have struggled with this piece from @OwenJones84 for a couple of days now. It is well argued, to some it may even be convincing and, as is usual with Owen's work, it is well written. So what is the problem? theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
First to say that I was a Labour Party member. Chair of both branch and CLP, campaigner and a councillor for 14 years. I also don't have a problem with many of Jeremy Corbyn's policies. I left Labour entirely over the approach to Brexit.
At a Guardian organised debate, Corbyn said "I don’t think we can go on having policy made by the leader, shadow cabinet, or parliamentary Labour party. It’s got to go much wider. Party members need to be more enfranchised". theguardian.com/politics/2015/…
At the 2018 conference, using the party's rules and structures, the membership stated its view. In the words of the Guardian, "Labour delegates vote overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit motion backing second referendum as option" theguardian.com/politics/blog/…
There is little indication from Mr Corbyn, despite his leadership election promises and the conference resolution, that he is willing to follow Labour policy on a people's vote. The signals coming from his office are that he wants to continue to facilitate Brexit.
Owen's defence of Mr Corbyn centres on Labour not having the numbers. Owen says "the Tories have a parliamentary majority, courtesy of the DUP, and Tory MPs – wherever they stand on the Brexit divide – prioritise stopping a party split over the nation’s interests".
This is true for a confidence vote - the option that Mr Corbyn wants to pursue. But this does not stop Mr Corbyn and his shadow ministers constantly campaigning for it. "That's what we want", they say, "There was a conference motion".
The "doesn't have the votes" contention simply isn't true for other things though. Mrs. May's Government has, after all, just gone down to a historic defeat of her flagship policy on Brexit - by a majority of 230. It just shows that it is more than possible.
But yes, Owen, this is a Tory policy - but there are rebels to be convinced, and Corbyn has not done the convincing. There are ways out, but Corbyn has not made the case. He doesn't have the numbers, but he does have a voice and he isn't using it.
So why does Corbyn shoulder some blame? I expect Tories to favour policies that favour the rich. I expect Labour to make the other case. This Labour party hasn't. It has facilitated this right-wing coup. Corbyn hasn't even campaigned. He tweeted yesterday - about busses.
In short, I expect more from Labour. They were my party. They stood for supporting the most vulnerable, for social cohesion, for public services and for internationalism. On this destructive issue, they have not opposed, they have facilitated. I feel let down.
