The future of Labour depends on the left
The Labour party’s left turn under Jeremy Corbyn has provided a strategic and robust substitute for a decade of Tory decay and incivility. For it to succeed post-Corbyn, Labour must continue on their quest for the most left-wing government the U.K has seen.
It is easy to disavow one’s self with Corbynomics and socialist leaders because they have failed to usurp the party, before Corbyn’s victory, since 1945 under Clement Attlee. The 1997–2010 Labour government moved the party’s traditional stance towards a centrist tone, erasing the long-held association with clause IV (a tenet from the party constitution to adopt common ownership) and its emancipatory politics towards the working-class. The repercussions, although positive for leftist ideologues, allowed hard-left parliamentarians to rally behind a future socialist party and end the party’s reputation of being conservative with a small “c”.
Under Tony Blair, there was a continuation of Thatcher proposals in regard to free-market capitalism and big business, an unjust and filthy war in the Middle East and the financial reckoning under the 2008 economic crash. Although Blair delivered three consecutive election wins, he has become notable recently as one of the most unpopular prime ministers of a generation. Since his resignation and his successor Gordon Brown’s electoral defeat in 2010, the Labour party has rid itself of its centrist influence and witnessed a revival from its hard-left circle once considered a fringe group.
A socialist alternative to a bloodletting and demagogic Conservative government has come at such a fitting time. With almost a decade of austerity cuts causing severe underfunding to public services and institutions, a rise in homelessness and a tax system that solely benefits the rich; it is time a Corbynista-led Labour party strikes back.
There have been rumours swirling that Corbyn will concede defeat and step down as leader of the opposition if he fails to win enough votes for a government in the election set for the 12th December. Although his departure may be timely, a successor so aligned with his manifesto must step up to the plate. Under Corbyn’s Labour the party achieved its highest vote share since 2001 and its closest result with the Tories since 1974. Furthermore, the Labour party membership has surged to 500,000+ in numbers, with an estimated 60% approval rating for Corbyn among the rank-and-file. All this has been unaccounted for under a hostile media campaign that has consistently denigrated and excoriated a Labour leader like no other. The same can be said for Attlee, ridiculed by the press for his lack of leadership credentials, although managed to govern and transform the economy for the masses under post-war misery. Due to the media’s anti-Corbyn editorials, his party trails behind the Conservatives in recent election polls, although closing the gap in poll numbers looks set to happen over the next six weeks.
If the Labour party wants to continue on its trailblazing fight for equality and liberation for the under-class, it must look no further than Corbyn’s inner wing. With its members yet to elect a female leader, the likes of shadow business secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, and her confidante in Laura Pidcock, could gather enough momentum for the party to choose them as future socialist leaders. Their captivating speaking engagements and grassroots campaigning hasn’t gone unnoticed with their constituents in the north. Large swathes of northern seats are being heavily targeted by Tory strategists due to Brexit frustrations in this election, a stark warning to Labour to not lose their traditional heartlands.
To avoid another hurling to the centre-ground, thereby complicit in the liberal elitism of the Liberal Democrats and the debunked and revolving door of Change U.K, Labour can counteract from the left. Corbyn may enter the shadows in the not too distant future, but his legacy will remain under the vital leadership of his socialist colleagues in waiting. With his political positioning and 2017 manifesto undoubtedly popular amongst the electorate, there should be no dispute as to why a Long-Bailey held government should enforce this in public office in years to come.
