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Any right-wing challenge to Corbyn’s leadership, from Watson or whoever, should be resisted. But if a challenge is launched, the siege narrative of defending against a “coup” will not help the left.
Owen Smith’s 2016 challenge could reasonably be described as the parliamentary party attempting a coup against the membership, which was overwhelmingly supportive of Corbyn and amongst which the PLP had little to no organisational or political base.
The scenario now is one in which LOTO, under the direction of unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats, has charted a political course on the key issue of the day which at best triangulates and at worse runs counter to the views of a large section of the rank-and-file membership.
In that context, appealing to the siege mentality of “defend Corbyn against this small, unrepresentative clique of coup plotters” rings pretty hollow and could actually significantly benefit the right.
If such a challenge does emerge, Corbyn will have to confront it politically. That means a shift on Brexit; a commitment to properly empower the rank-and-file and ensure the political direction is set from below; and enthusing activists with genuinely radical ideas.
I’m fairly certain Corbyn would survive any challenge, but it’s far from being as cut-and-dried as it was in 2016, and anyone on the left who thinks the star hasn’t faded at all is deluding themselves.
