Thread by @centrist_phone

We're going to hear a lot of crowing from centrists.

"Corbyn WAS the problem"

Their analysis is only partially correct - and not for the reasons they think.

Labour members should arm themselves with the facts, and logic, to win the fight for the soul of their party.

1/10

The centrist argument essentially goes like this:

"Corbyn was unpopular, therefore 'Corbynism' is unpopular. The solution is a return to centrism."

But like every centrist argument of the last five years, this 'analysis' collapses under even the most basic scrutiny.

2/10

By 'Corbynism' centrists mean 'left wing economic policies'.

And yet, all evidence shows that left-wing economic policies are very popular - see data from YouGov below.

Centrists are using the election defeat to change Labour's economic policies.

Don't fall for it.

3/10

Onto Corbyn himself.

Centrists are correct in saying he was unpopular.

They are not, however, correct in saying this was the main reason for the election defeat

This chart below will be shown many times. And it does, at first glance, support the centrist position.

4/10

However, dig a little deeper, and the data shows that 47% of people identifying Corbyn did so for Brexit-related reasons.

"Too remain"
"Taking both sides"
"Wants another ref"

Among Lab -> Con defectors, who lost Lab the election, 75% of them defected due to Brexit.

5/10

Like all good deceptions, there is a kernal of truth in the centrist argument.

Corbyn WAS unpopular.

But this wasn't the primary reason for the defeat, and is certainly not a rejection of left-wing economics.

It's also important to recognise WHY Corbyn was unpopular.

6/10

As I covered in the attached thread, since 2017 there has been a coordinated mass disinformation campaign targeting Corbyn. Mainly on FB.

Until this is countered, ANY Labour leader offering popular left-wing policies will be undermined in this way.

https://twitter.com/centrist_phone/status/1205457810026385408

7/10

Accounting for the above factors, of the Labour defectors who led this defeat;

75% defected due to Brexit or Brexit-related issues
25% defected due to a dislike of Corbyn

Don't believe the lies from the centrists and right-wingers that socialism was the problem.

8/10

Labour members can assure themselves of the following:

1) Left-wing economic policies are popular

2) The centrists beloved second referendum position probably cost Labour the election

3) ANY Labour leader will face the under-the-radar disinformation campaign Corbyn did

9/10

Today, I joined the Labour party.

I urge all who believe in decency and fairness to do the same.

I will vote for a leader who promotes a left-wing economic agenda, and who has the inner resolve to do whatever it takes to win.

Don't believe the Centrist lies.

END

Correction - it's 43% identifying Brexit-related reasons for not liking Corbyn.

The overall analysis and the conclusions drawn remain unchanged. Corbyn was an issue, and Brexit was an issue, but even within the reasons why Corbyn was an issue, Brexit looms large

Source: Yougov