Why Corbyn compromised on brexit
As a backbencher he was free to proffer unapologetically revolutionary diatribes against the EU. As LOTO, he must find a way to actually realise change from within the very system he seeks to overhaul. 1/
As a backbencher he was free to proffer unapologetically revolutionary diatribes against the EU. As LOTO, he must find a way to actually realise change from within the very system he seeks to overhaul. 1/
From 'What Marx Really Meant':
"We are confronted with the question of man's freedom to make his own history within a system of economic necessity. The status & implications of membership of a group or class set limits within which the individual is compelled to work. 2/
"We are confronted with the question of man's freedom to make his own history within a system of economic necessity. The status & implications of membership of a group or class set limits within which the individual is compelled to work. 2/
All action is in the last resort individual action, but the individual who occupies a defined place within an established social system can act effectively either to uphold or change it only if he acts appropriately in relation to the objective conditions. 3/
This means, in social matters, acting in association with others who are similarly placed, or whose circumstances, even if they differ, are such as to afford a basis for co-operative action. 4/
It is of course always possible for an individual to dissociate himself from those who are similarly placed with himself, and to act in opposition to his own group or class....5/
... But even in this case, he will be able to act effectively only if he transfers his allegiance to some other group or class, within which he can find like minded collaborators. In any Society of men, collaboration is the prerequisite of effective social activity. 6/
There has never been a human Society in which each individual acted by himself, without group loyalty or collaboration. Such a Society can be imagined by mad philosophers or laissez-faire economists; but it's quite out of the question that a real Society of men could be thus." 7/
G. D. H. Cole, 1934.
Basically, you can't unilaterally tear down the walls of the building we're all living in. We may not like how it's built, but in order to get planning permission to make it better, we need to be on good terms with the landlord, the council & tenants. 8/
Basically, you can't unilaterally tear down the walls of the building we're all living in. We may not like how it's built, but in order to get planning permission to make it better, we need to be on good terms with the landlord, the council & tenants. 8/
Pure, unadulterated theory & political integrity isn't enough to get stuff done. We live under capitalism, and every sinew of the system is straining to resist change, to resist a Corbyn gov. If he is ever going to get into a position of power, he needs to play the system. 9/
If he'd tried to impose his preference from day 1 (let's say some sort of 'hard brexit') not only would he have lost the support of a much larger % of the Labour movement than he risks by NOT advocating 'no-deal' (which, remember, not even Farage wanted in 2016)... 10/
He would not now be in a position of influence. This supposedly weak & ineffectual man is somehow being credited with the prevention of the govs plan. A proper socialist has managed to corral an inherited centrist PLP enough to bring the Tory party to the brink of collapse. 11/
He's done this by predicting the route & position that could conceivably command a majority in this europhile house. A softer brexit that gives vital freedoms but maintains enough parity that it could be endorsed by a House bitterly opposed to leaving the EU. 12/
Magic Grandpa's greatest trick was convincing parl he didn't exist. This life long critic of the EU knew that he alone, from across the aisle, surrounded by sabateurs, could not dictate the outcome. So he has maintained a damage limitation strategy. 13/
1. Pick a middle lane
2. Try not to piss too many people off
3. Wait for the Tories to implode
This has been Corbyns strategy all along. He set out his stall further than he knew his PLP would endorse & at the last minute has made concessions that keep him in the game. 14/
2. Try not to piss too many people off
3. Wait for the Tories to implode
This has been Corbyns strategy all along. He set out his stall further than he knew his PLP would endorse & at the last minute has made concessions that keep him in the game. 14/
The Tory & centrist plan of how to delegitimise Corbyn has always been to blame him for a 2nd referendum; to undermine his support amongst the leave voting Northern working class. He held off as long as practicably possible. 15/
By belatedly adopting a confirmatory vote (but only after a GE, with a sensible, honestly negotiated Labour deal as the leave option) Corbyn has found a way to reset Brexit on what is as close to his terms as he could realistically have hoped for. 16/
It will have the silver lining of achieving a public mandate for a specific version of leave, thereby preventing parliament from making the argument "that's not what the people voted for". There could be no more political obfuscation to leaving the EU. It'd be done & dusted. 17/
It'd be better if we could simply run on a platform of enacting leave but with our deal instead of Mays BRINO or Johnsons deregulation demolition job, but that would see Labour haemorrhage remain votes to the Lib Dems. Offering an inclusive resolution mitigates against that. 18/
And given the fact Corbyn currently has less than 20% genuine socialists in his inherited Blairite PLP, he's had to utilise shadow ministers that do not endorse his anti-EU position. Given the environment Corbyn walked into, that he's still on track after 4yrs is amazing. 19/
There is simply no precedent for the scale of subterfuge & propaganda against a LOTO that has been levied at Corbyn. It is a measure of his threat to the global capitalist order. He has shifted the narrative. We must not let perfect be the enemy of progress. 20/
Even at this late stage there may yet be unpredictable twists. JC is clear that he will not punish Labour MPs who vote for the Tory Withdrawal Agreement. This tallies with what some consider Labour's clearest route to an election victory - let the WA pass, then amend the PD. 21/
If Johnsons WA is to have a chance of passing, it is likely to be via a Customs Union amendment. This would destroy the Tory party. A 2nd ref amendment would be best avoided for both main parties but Corbyn is positioned to have to support one in order to halt a Tory deal. 22/
And if the Tories had to curate a 2nd referendum, with 'their' leave option including a customs union, it would also destroy the Tory party. There will be collateral for both sides, Corbyns job is to make sure its worse for the Tories. 23/
He can't control the shape of a deal until he's in No 10. And he can't get to No. 10 without votes from both leave and remain voters. So offering a confirmatory vote seems a logical way to bookend this whole shit show. The delays were caused by the Tory gov on purpose. 24/
They need to rely on the perceived impatience & tunnel visioned obsession of leave voters, its their only trump card. If Corbyn removes that in any way, it is game on. He hasn't waited 35 years for this chance to throw it away at the last minute. That man's got a plan. 25/
