Jeremy Corbyn hasn’t had the easiest of tenures as Labour leader, he has faced attacks from every conceivable direction. Some have been deserved and some have not. But recently it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is almost an untenable position. The media attacks from certain outlets have been largely unwarranted, however, when they have been warranted large numbers of his hardened supporters have attacked the media regardless of whether they are right or wrong.
The latest edition in the Leadership saga has increased pressure because top aide, Simon Fletcher, has quit.
Citing a lack of direction within Labour.
The leader who doesn’t lead?
Fletcher was one of Corbyn’s closest aides and due to a lack of direction from Labour, he has resigned from his post. Recently, his allies and aides have tried to reinvent his image as a left populist to combat the growing threat from UKIP and the increasingly right leaning Conservatives, but this slowly proving in vain as polls suggest that Labour are quickly slipping. Fletcher’s resignation increases the pressure on Corbyn’s leadership.
Credit to Corbyn for continuing to work hard in the face of increasing adversity but unfortunately this is becoming a slow and painful death. Voted in with the largest mandate ever as Labour leader despite derisions from a large chunk of media outlets and opponents.
But since Brexit Labour itself hasn’t been seen as effective opposition by many. The resignation comes after a tumultuous few weeks for Corbyn.
Several resignations from his front bench after failing to get concessions on the Brexit vote, including Clive Lewis and Rachel Maskell, and a massive drop in the polls has led to widespread criticism from close allies.
Fletcher himself was an unusual ally within Corbyn’s cabal because he commanded the respect from all factions of the party.
Fletcher and the future
He earned his reputation of a clever pragmatist working as Ken Livingstone’s Chief of Staff, looking after the capital when Livingstone was out of office. He left frontline politics after Boris Johnson succeeded Livingstone as London Mayor, until 2013 when Ed Miliband asked him to liaise with the leader’s office and trade unions.
The future is much like Brexit with Labour, whilst everyone has a vague idea of what the direction is, no-one quite knows what the plan is and how it will affect the UK. The man himself isn’t inherently bad and whilst the world votes for Trump and Brexit, seen as anti-establishment even though they are not. Most people miss that Corbyn is the most anti-establishment politician, and he has the voting record to prove it.
But he is not a leader, he is a great campaigner and activist. He is a valuable asset to Labour but not for frontline politics where a great deal of pragmatism is required. Whilst his policies are largely in the right direction, there seems to be an inability to promote them properly and amateur PR mistakes have cost him. Perhaps it is time for someone such as Clive Lewis or Rebecca Long-Bailey, who have been touted as potential leaders, to step up?
