Don’t believe the polls! Labour can win this election in four weeks
With the general election weeks away and the most volatile electorate in modern political history gearing up for a pre- Christmas snap poll, what to expect for a result seems almost impossible. But with Corbyn in campaign mode, a tough battle looks set to commence
At this present time, Labour’s approvability ranking seems dismal with a recent Westminster intention poll showing the Tories having an average eight-point lead over the opposition. In regards to leadership and prime ministerial credentials, voters supposedly would rather Boris Johnson than Jeremy Corbyn as leader of their country. Although prospects may seem dire right now, lest we forget the surprise performance from Corbyn’s Labour in 2017.
Once this latest election was called, Corbyn-affiliated pressure group Momentum appealed for fifty thousand pounds in donations within a forty-eight-hour window. To their surprise, they instead received over hundred thousand pounds in their first twelve hours. Furthermore, with reselection battles under way in Labour seats across the nation, the leftist faction of the broad-church party has surged parliamentary candidate-wise compared to a more centrist tone that was once on offer. This is certainly a win for Labour’s fundamental shift to the left under Corbyn’s tenure as leader, dismantling the formerly lauded moderate legacy of Tony Blair.
For Labour to win over this mobilised and febrile battleground in December, the party must look beyond Brexit and uncover the Tories’ total ineptitude in governing for the masses. With low taxes for the rich, a desolated welfare state, extremely underfunded local councils and the NHS being eyed up by U.S corporations, Corbyn has a lot to talk about. His campaign to completely overhaul the country’s economy to make a fairer and equitable society would gain traction in areas stricken by a housing crisis and stagnating wages. His pledge to eradicate the system that only benefits the rich could energise voters absolutely exhausted with nine years of austerity.
The Labour party’s radical and transformative domestic agenda could enlighten a disillusioned and anti-establishment electorate. This election isn’t just about Brexit, although that’s what the government is labelling it as. Although Corbyn has faced excoriation for his Brexit stance, his platform is the sole option for allowing remain and a rejuvenated Brexit deal to be on the ballot in a people-powered second referendum. Johnson has been sympathetic to a no-deal catastrophic exit whilst the Liberal Democrats under Jo Swinson have stood for complete revocation of article 50. To placate an incredibly divided referendum result, Corbyn is trying to deliver for everyone.
Two years ago, Labour were in a far worse place than they are now. Corbyn trailed behind a “strong and stable” Theresa May by 20 percentage points. This did little to help poll predictions, however, as he managed to win over 30 more seats and strip May off her majority. The Conservatives, being led into an electoral warzone by a leader gone rogue in Boris Johnson, must fear a Labour revival in weeks’ time.
The country must hold on tight for an exhilarating campaign trail where the winner will be completely undecided until the 13th December. If one believes in having a government that’s in favour for the many and not the few, then give Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party a chance to prosper.
