Alright. Think the 'period of refection' is just about finished for me. Go in the name of God and let the rebuilding start for a proper opposition. At a time of dreadful politicians, Corbyn has nothing that appeals to the majority of the public. A really crap leader
But there's more than just a useless leader. The widespread cowardice of the Labour Party had brought us here. The time to be strong was in the run-up to the 2016 referendum before English nationalism ran out of control
Labour should have campaigned strongly to remain - not on the basis that the EU was great but because the Leave campaign played to populist nationalism
Labour MPs were saying the didn't want to alienate northern voters. Instead they should have been pointing out that the migrant crisis was not what you couldn't get a doctor's appointment. The reason was austerity
Immigrants have not caused people to feel poorer. Austerity has. The roots of dissatisfaction and increasing poverty are in the policies of first the coalition and then the Conservative Government.
Farage and co used the EU as a cipher for xenophobia and Labour indulged them. So every subsequent battle has been fought on Farage's ground. Is it any wonder they Labour lost big? The real fight was almost half a decade ago. But Labour didn't have the balls to take it on
Johnson appropriated Farage's territory. But it was easy for him. Populism and nationalism had become mainstream by the time he replaced May. Labour just blindly and stupidly continued on a losing path
And guess what? Let's tread some more water, have a 'period of reflection' and carry on as normal. Corbyn's speech last night was appalling. Sneery, self-pitying and without a shred of contrition. You know what it reminded me of? Hodgson after the Iceland game. No self awareness
And if you nodded along with Corbyn's 'blame the media' narrative last night then you're deluded. Blame anyone else. He's the truth: Labour under Corbyn let nationalism and xenophobia take centre stage in British politics and society.
History will judge Corbyn as badly as it judges Johnson. And the Labour MPs who were too scared to confront the growing nastiness in our culture. And the ex-MPs who hid in the mayoralties waiting to pick up the post-Corbyn pieces and let this play out
Labour need to start again. And quickly. Grim times are coming. Tented villages are growing in our cities, the bigot feel empowered. We need real opposition who can at least give a voice for those on the margins.
