In 2015, Jeremy Corbyn was elected by Labour with a promise for kinder gentler politics.
I have no doubt that he meant that, however not all those who support him have followed this mantra. Many have decided to be civil, but sadly there has been a lot of abuse and hatred on social media over issues such as Israel as well as those who are termed Blairites. Many MP’s have also been slated for the same loyalty that Jeremy Corbyn showed when he was a backbencher.
Now debate and disagreements are important to any political party, after all, not everyone is going to agree on everything. But the important thing is to debate issues in a civil manner. The electorate does not vote for divided parties that cannot discuss matters calmly. And why should the electorate do so. If members of a party cannot try in a reasonable manner, to convince others with the party of differences, or accept that the party is going to include a broad church of view, now are those members going to convince voters who have not voted Labour before to do so.
Additionally, the formation of the Independent Group of MP’S this month demonstrates that. Those who were in Labour feel that they have been bullied and one faced deselection. While the stance of Labour on Brexit as well as the issue of how too many supporters have engaged in antisemitic abuse have also been factors, too many members and supporters of Labour have responded to this with yet more abuse and others have in effect been complicit by not challenging that abuse. Labour members and supporters need to remember the call of Jeremy Corbyn for Kinder Gentler Politics and work together without hatred and acrimony. And if any members think that others have started to be abusive, just remember the quote from Mrs Obama so that the party can agree to disagree and work for the nation which so desperately needs a government For The Many.
