What better judge of a person than their peers?
For decades, Labour Party MPs & members tried to keep Corbyn as far from the levers of power as possible, as demonstrated by Shadow Cabinet & NEC elections.
On his 1st try in 1986, Corbyn got 31 votes, coming 3rd from last. 1/8
For decades, Labour Party MPs & members tried to keep Corbyn as far from the levers of power as possible, as demonstrated by Shadow Cabinet & NEC elections.
On his 1st try in 1986, Corbyn got 31 votes, coming 3rd from last. 1/8
He was up to the heady heights of 39 votes (7th from bottom) in 1987. 22 votes behind newcomer Tony Blair, but less than half of the 88 for Gordon Brown the rising star of the Party. 2/8
Back on usual form in 1988, coming last with 31 votes.
Gordon Brown topping the list with 155 votes, this time joined by Blair in the Shadow Cabinet with 111 votes. 3/8
Gordon Brown topping the list with 155 votes, this time joined by Blair in the Shadow Cabinet with 111 votes. 3/8
He tried again in 1994, again receiving only 31 votes, but only 4th bottom this time. 4/8
And a final time in 1996, coming last again with 37 votes.
So according to those who knew him best, Corbyn was one of the most disliked & least trusted or respected Labour MPs of the 1980s and 1990s (let alone under Blair/Brown). 5/8
So according to those who knew him best, Corbyn was one of the most disliked & least trusted or respected Labour MPs of the 1980s and 1990s (let alone under Blair/Brown). 5/8
He didn't just try out for the shadow cabinet, he also stood unsuccessfully for election to the NEC.
While he wasn't bottom of the list, he was significantly off the pace, for example David Blunkett was elected with 480,000 votes, Corbyn got 29,000 in 1991. 6/8
While he wasn't bottom of the list, he was significantly off the pace, for example David Blunkett was elected with 480,000 votes, Corbyn got 29,000 in 1991. 6/8
He stood for the NEC again in 1992, dropping down to 22,000 votes, John Prescott received 446,000 & Ken Livingstone 145,000. 7/8
He was unsuccessful again in 1995 (22,457) and in 1996 25,529 as always much closer to the bottom than the top.
For decades the Labour Party kept Corbyn far from power, now it's been taken over by the Communist Party of Britain & people want to make him PM.
Don't do it. 8/8
For decades the Labour Party kept Corbyn far from power, now it's been taken over by the Communist Party of Britain & people want to make him PM.
Don't do it. 8/8
What of John McDonnell? I stumbled upon this about the left-wing dominated 1985 NEC elections:
Dennis Skinner 512,000
Tony Benn 503,000
Michael Meacher 480,000
Eric Heffer 414,000
John McDonnell 18,000 ha
Dennis Skinner 512,000
Tony Benn 503,000
Michael Meacher 480,000
Eric Heffer 414,000
John McDonnell 18,000 ha
