Roughly a year ago I write an article in the Guardian criticising Jeremy Corbyn and his leadership of the Labour Party.
I was deeply disappointed by his team's Brexit campaign.
What I had seen was, I thought, shambolic from press relations onwards.
Policy was not forthcoming.
I had lost confidence. I was far from alone.
What I could not have anticipated was a speech as good as this:
Jeremy Corbyn has grown into the role of Labour leader in ways I could not have anticipated. I owe him an apology. It turns out I was wrong. He can do the job. That's why I signed a letter to the Observer yesterday.
I make it clear that this does not mean I think Labour have everything right. The manifesto has weaknesses. The tax policy is not all I would want, for a start. The economic policy still pays too much regard to neoliberal thinking. But it's better than the anything the Tories are offering. And it's ample enough to persuade me that voting Labour will be the right thing to do in many cases.
That said, if a vote for another party would help stop a Tory get elected and so prevent the harm to the well being of so many people in this country I would vote tactically, even if I am not greatly persuaded by the LibDems. If, however, a Green candidate had a hope I would vote for them. My attitude north of the birder is well known. I understand why people vote SNP.
By saying so I make clear my politics is not tribal and I wish Labour's was not. That, in my opinion, is its greatest weakness.
But let me be clear: it has a plausible leader. I did not expect Jeremy to become that. I was wrong. And I apologise. I underestimated him.
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I decided long ago that I would be voting Labour at the next election; through the attemtped Blairite coup against Corbyn, through the incessant barrage of right wing newspaper poison pen editorials.
We must stop the Tories, I want a Labour victory.
Or a hung parliament, where Labour works with the SNP & LibDems to thwart the folly of Brexit and terminate Tory austerity.
I voted for corbyn in both elections saw him on the campaign trail we the members knew how good he was, but he media wanted him out so did the labour plp. However the members stuck by him as we knew we had a good one here. This guy has run a great campaign, May is terrible and hiding all the time, yet the polls say she is in the lead, this is madness, two terrorists attacks on her watch and she has done nothing but say its not numbers that are needed. It is a mess, corbyn has risen to every occasion and has increased his stature. If he does not win on Thursday, it will be a shame but in my view corbyn will be the winner of this election, May is a dead duck PM, not unless she gets a landslide, if not then she will be gone in a few months. What will happen after this election is the labour PLP will have to get behind corbyn and help him win the next election. He has done this well with out the PLP with the media against him, imagine how well he could of done if they were all behind him. He has done a fantastic job
Surely no need to apologise: the justified criticisms must surely have been taken to heart by Jeremy and effected a change and improvement within him. The criticism made him more self aware and more responsive to his potential supporters’ worries. So the criticism was to his advantage. No criticism, and perhaps he would have not been able to give that speech in the form that gains your respect.
Media onslaught and criticism is proof enough Jeremy Corbyn’s really is stronger than May, Corbyn’s sticking to his principles all these years proof too that he is more stable. I am absolutely voting for him on Thursday.
Spot on mate.
Thank you for looking again at Jeremy Corbyn. No-one thinks he is perfect, but his steadfast principles and refusal to answer in sound bites makes him by far the best leader that Labour or any other major UK party has had in many years.
Richard – all respect to you for this honest and forthright post. I never stopped enjoying your posts and at times despaired that there wasn’t a more direct between you and the Leadership. Right now if feels powerful progressive voices are coalescing around an unstoppable platform.
Agree. Often use information about finance from Tax Research [I’m captainbeefheart BTL on Comment is Free]. Was disappointed last year, but we all make errors of judgement at times in our lives.
Me too. Very pleasantly surprised. And lets not forget to thank the PLP for staging their Mock Exam last year, giving Corbyn some really useful practice at staying cool under pressure & fending off dog-whistle flack.
Brilliant! I do think those that had such strong criticism, though, do need to apologise like Richard has, as it lays bare that the basis for criticism was often superficial (or at least redeamable with a decent team).
Some people are still annoyed by his Brexit campaign, but it needs to be reiterated that he was more involved than Theresa May in many ways, and probably put a better case forward based on his previous opposition to the EU. I think many didn’t believe him at the time, but more than 40 years has gone by, and the the world, and the EU, are different beasts now. Now that we are out though, we should perhaps reiterate that there are distinct negatives in EU democracy and national sovereignty which were contiunually blamed by Westminster for all sorts of ills. Let’s hope that our parliament now stands up and takes responsibility, and in particular the PLP.
I’d decided to vote for our local Green candidate, as this is one of those constituencies where a great white shark (if it was wearing a Tory rosette) would win with an over 50% vote.
Corbyn has shown himself to have more national leadership qualities than I’ve previously credited him with. But the LibDems usually come second here – and I’m havering.
So do I still vote for Tim (you see, I know our Green candidate personally!). Or do I go with the Labour Party, with whom I have always has cordial relations. Or should I trash my previous vow never to vote LibDem again, and vote for the only candidate who comes within a snowball’s chance in hell of unseating Alan Mak.
I am voting tactically
With a peg on my nose
I think whether to vote Green or not comes down to whether you believe there are enough students in your constituency to vote Labour in. If a Lib Dem candidate is in the margin of error then I’d vote for them but if the feeling is that the Tory will win by a country mile then just vote for who you actually believe in.
The Greens have at least four seats where they stand a good chance of winning. Brighton Pavillion, Bristol West, Isle of Weight and Sheffield Central. No chance of letting in a Tory in any of them. In fact Greens have stood down in over 20 marginal Tory seats with no reciprocal arrangement forthcomming. Molly Scott Cato in Bristol West is a Green Economist and currentle an MEP for the South West.
Accelerating climate change is not going to go away and the Corbyn manifesto is particularly unconvincing in this area.
Any steps forward under aCorbyn led government will be swept aside by a following Tory Government…to stop this we urgently need PR. Would Corbyn and his NEC allow it is the clinching question.
Richard
I put my hands up as well. I was very disappointed to say the least with Labour during the Brexit campaign and was terrified that Labour would be wiped out at this election. They seemed rudderless and directionless. I have made my feelings clear on this blog. Their GE campaign however has exceeded all expectation and Corbyn has grown in stature with every passing week. May has been a disaster as a campaigner.
I have hope this week.
So do I
But I know what Thursday 10pm feels like
Well done Richard. I have been a firm supporter of Jeremy for many years owing to his Human Rights stand, the fact that he has always worked for a peaceful world, supported the vulnerable and his honesty. You have done a great job in educating people like me about economics and like you I feel that Labour’s economic policies are affected too much by neoliberal thinking. At the same time I knew that if Jeremy and John moved too far from, the still accepted, policies of the last 40 years the media and the publics view would win the argument. The credit card and bankrupting the country scenarios are set in people’s minds and it will take time, education and for the public to have media access to economists before it changes. I am hopeful that this will happen eventually. I would vote for any party that would mean 1 less Tory MP and I am ever hopeful that the Green Party and Labour will eventually become one party. Standing a Labour candidate in Brighton Pavilion shames me and the party I belong to.
I sincerely hope Caroline wins
Not just because she’a a friend and co-author on a number of occassions
But because she’s one of the best politicians we’ve got
Labour Party and Green Party can never become one. Labour defines itself as anti-tory. Greens see social justice and the environment as inextricably linked. Labour swallowed the Cooperative Party whole…and i see little or nothing of their influence in Labours profile. Swallow The Green Party and you will see a massive dumbing down of their analysis. Labour seem to think they can operate like corporate giant Amazon and it is arrogant in the extreme. Bring about Proportional Representation and at that point mutual strengths can be brought to bear.
Well said. I shall be leaving the Labour Party next week, whatever happens, and will demand that they adopt PR as a central policy, cooperate with the Greens by alternating standing aside, drop the nuclear weapons policy and generally go Green. And I will not forgive them for fighting Lucas, that is such a crime.
It takes a big person to admit when he or she is wrong, to say sorry, something so few are capable of doing. My respect for you is only increased by what you’ve written.
I am wrong too often for me to have any concern about it. We all are. We should all get over it.
The important point is when I say sorry I mean it
And I always do
Seconded.
Thanks Richard.
I remember when the second contest between Smith and Corbyn took place there were a few ding-dongs on this site as we we all got rather passionate about things. I think I got a little tetchy with you at that time as I was staunchly behind Corbyn. We all wanted the same thing though -a shift from neo-liberalism and an end to this 40 -year ‘laboratory experiment’ that blights lives.
I think you’re offering an apology is a sign of your integrity here and I applaud it, not because I feel I was ‘right’ as I had no idea that Corbyn would become what he has -I simply saw Corbyn as the start of a much longer process of de-neo-liberalising Labour. I have to confess, that over the last year or so, I have become very frustrated with Labour and Corbyn at PMQ’s and the neo-liberal framing of fiscal policy and almost gave up my membership.
But what has happened is testimony to how persistence (you know a bit about that, Richard!) and bucking trends and the Overton Window can produce apparently unforeseeable results. many in the Labour Party have had to eat their words as the mild persistence of this man has shone through the media hegemony of distortion.
I agree that this speech you post is one of the most impressive and courageous, particularly the way Corbyn has appropriated May’s expression ‘difficult conversation’ and turned it around to point out the terrible hypocrisy behind her words. Hopefully this will resonate as will the incredible work of the NHS in saving lives with staff, many off duty, rushing back to work, including poorly paid nurses.
For me Corbyn has, maybe partly unwittingly achieved this:
1. The first significant challenge to the austerity paradigm in 40 years.
2. The ending of the spun image of a leader based on soundbites and power-dressing -May has been shown up to be the spun, PR’ed vacuous tailor’s dummy. That is no mean feat and may signal a vast cultural shift.
3.A possibly new way of looking at foreign policy after decades of hubris-ridden interference with other countries for geo-political ends.
I am ready for disappointment on June 8th as it seems that the older generation want to white-knuckle what they have and are scared of change and don’t seem to want better things for the younger generation. BUT- there is a chance of an historic change if the young and ‘can’t-be-arsed’ sector vote in large numbers. But even if labour lose, the Tories are shaken and will have to tread carefully knowing the ground they stand on is trembling.
I too am ready for disappointment: heaven’s I am sued to that now
But I do think something has changed, and that I welcome
I feel much more is possible now – and that if May returns she will face a nightmare
Even I had a bit of a wobble before the election was called. I know the father of one of the new MPs who felt obliged to resign from the shadow cabinet after the Article 50 vote. She talked about the chaos in the leadership office which was freezing out those outside the magic circle. The problem has always been that the experienced MPs just deserted Corbyn and behaved appallingly. It’s great to see him, at his age, learning so much in a short time. I’m trying to quell my optimism about the result but the change in attitudes, particularly of the young, will last and develop, I’m sure. If Corbyn is not PM he knows he will have to stay until the rules are changed on nominations for leadership – this will happen, we hope, at the conference. (The manipulation by the anti-Corbyn faction last year was despicable.)
i do hope that the those on the economic panel have the same feels and re-form,they can help Labour and therefore the economy going forward .i think without realising it mainly because Corbyn had and still has other problems,were more influential than they thought they were being .
Rejoice,the prodigal son returns. A Labour win is not a destination, it is the start of a journey. Of course we can all see things in Labour that we would like improved. These we should pursue in a democratic way. JC and JM have promised to extend this democratic process. When we are fortunate enough to have a courageous leader, the courageous citizen too has to step up to the plate.
Thank you Richard. I have despaired over the past two years over the Labour Party’s ability to shoot itself in the foot, both from the right and the left (which is my natural home). But I have kept faith with Corbyn through thick and thin, despite his obvious issues at party management. I am so impressed with his campaign. The only improvement I would wish for is that he would listen to you, and have the courage to take on the economic issues with the same passion for truth he has shown over other issues. That you are speaking out for him is truly heartening.
Corbyn and McDonnell are politicians. Richard is not. He was part of John’s LEAP. Several of the other members were disappointed that they had not been invited to participate in policy making. But Andrew Fisher (who headed LEAP) has been in charge of the manifesto and he has skillfully translated all that accumulated knowledge into policies which are not easy for the tories to discredit (except for LVT, which would have been far better kept under wraps – since when did people vote for a tax?). I know of at least one LEAP member who felt excluded but is now delighted with the outcome because all his contribution has been used.
Hi Richard, I have read a lot of your posts and all are really good. This one, for me as a person who rejoined Labour in 2015 because of Jeremy, is especially good. JC is a good man, a strong man with a true moral compass and we so need Leaders like him in this world. Thank you also for the alternative economics you articulate. It is great that I can use your work to try and persuade people that there is an alternative to this current economic madness. Keep up the good work, my friend. For the many, not the few!
Well said. Respect for admitting you were wrong.
It takes a big man. Well done, and welcome!
Richard
I agree with your comments above. I too will be voting Labour in a Tory safe seat (sorry Greens but seeing a real Labour Party begin to emerge needs to be encouraged).
Consider that you are a good leader yourself. You set a fine example to us all.
And a good leader knows how to follow too.
Your post is in keeping with your character and does you credit. It is consistent with who you say you are (“when the facts change…” etc.,).
Thanks.
Thank you
From the exposure both he and May have had over the past few weeks it’s clear he is seen in a significantly more positive light compared to her vacuity, deceitfulness and lack of warmth. He (on behalf of the Labour Party) at least offers a positive strategy to improve the state of the nation, whereas the message from Downing Street is negative and reactionary. It’s bewildering (to me) that she still seems to appeal to so many millions of voters, in much the same way that it’s still a puzzle as to how Trump garnered almost 60 million votes. It says more about the voters than who they voyed for.
Nevertheless, I still maintain Corbyn is not such a good political leader. His stumbling on the nuclear question has been politically naive and will have cost him thousands of swing-voters. Considering it’s one of his long-term passions you’d have thought he would have worked out a quick, confident response to his critics. He’s had 34 years to think about it. And not being able to quote the manifesto’s figure for his Party’s childcare pledge was equally damaging. I could go on … like putting forward Diane Abbott as an official spokesperson, knowing she has ‘form’ and how emotional she is.
General Elections are tough, challenging events with a lot at stake for the country. And this one is especially critical. If Corbyn was a more professional leader it should have been a shoo-in for Labour. In fact, if he had performed better sooner it’s unlikely May would even have called it. He’s an experienced enough campaigner to know the rules of the game. On Thursday the Tories won’t win – Labour will loose; a tragedy I still hold Corbyn largely responsible for.
Just for the record, I’ve already voted Green in a constituency where, like havantaclu, the incumbent Tory has an overwhelming majority. And I agree with you Richard regarding Caroline Lucas – one of the best politicians in the country.
You are being too hard on Corbyn re Trident. He has been boxed into an uncomfortable contradictory stance by the PLP. If he becomes PM he will have the power to progress a proper defence review (Thornberry was doing this when she was Shadow Defence) which would result in the scrapping of Trident. And he’ll be able to push that Griffiths woman to the backbenches.
You were not wrong to criticise Corbyn before, and you are not wrong to change your opinion now in response to his reformation. We may never know who or what brought about the change but Corbyn has been like a different man in this election campaign, to the point that I really wish he could win. Meanwhile the Tories have run a campaign so bad that you could almost believe they want to throw the election! Perhaps having realised what a disaster their austerity policies and Brexit plans will lead to, they have decided they don’t want to be in power to take the blame for what follows.
I applaud you for your apology. And I understand your concerns re Brexit performance, however, I don’t think any of the parties had a clue about what to campaign about and because support on both sides was cross-party and not by order of the mighty whip, I disregarded everyone’s politics and just listened to the arguments on both sides. And by the end of it I was none the wiser. It was ill thought out, rushed, confusing, and had no clue what the actual results of Brexit would produce. That was not Corbyns fault, nor the sole responsibility of the Labour Party. That’s just how it was. “Say anything because we don’t really know what would happen regardless.”
We none of us really knew what we were actually voting for or against. And what was offered was reneged upon immediately afterwards. And those offering it ran for the hills dumping the responsibility on the shoulders of those left behind. Which is what I suspect the Tories are trying to do now – throw the election and hand responsibility over to what they see as the Court Jester, who in all fairness would probably do a far better job of negotiating, as he’s reasonable and fair and not going in all guns blazing with threats and with toys all lined up to throw out of the pram.
Bear in mind that during that time also, his own party was trying to crucify and overthrow him separately from all this. And he’s still standing. And growing in strength. The petty tricks of the PLP were an embarrassment and I’m glad to see now with the media coverage having to be seen to be impartial that he’s getting a fair hearing and people can see how decent a human being he is, and how strong his beliefs actually are. Politicians with integrity are a rare breed. And I’ll vote labour even though I do not like my safe-seated incumbent, because the bigger picture of a cohesive and integrated society is a place I want to live.
This is great news Richard. I hope Jeremy doesn’t bear a grudge at all you’ve said about him and McDonnell before and we can make Lord Murphy a thing.
I think few things have been said back
And let me be clear: I am not looking for anything at all
As much as Jeremy hates the honours system, until he can fix it, that would be a great idea;o) If only…
That’s good. The biggest apology should come from the Parliamentary Labour Party. Even during this campaign my local Labour MP ridiculed Corbyn [in private discussions between Greens and Labour]. Now is the time for the PLP to make up rather than hedge on the GE outcome. I can’t see that happening before the 8th.
I still think the Tories will win; I hope I’m wrong. On the election trail so many swing voters have been poisoned by the MSM, they pick up Telegraph style catch phrases that are echoed on the doorstep. Whilst Greens have had a good welcome on the doorstep with an array of [new] ideas we have fallen back because a sizeable section of the electorate know the desperate need to oust that gang intent on inflicting social violence on the poorest and least able to defend themselves. The best outcome would be for an Alliance and force through proportional voting and a progressive programme. Some Labour MPs already support the single transferable voting system as they have learnt a hard lesson from the SNP phenomena.
I totally appreciate the apology made here. There are people with considerable influence trying to destroy a decent persons reputation and our hope of a government of social justice with a really alternative economic approach. I was disappointed when you raised criticims of Mr Corbyn publicly not because you criticised but because I felt it went too far. I beleived given any sort of chance he would develop into the excellent leader that (partly thanks to the slightly less manipulated coverage we get during the election period) he very definitely is at the moment.
Seeing the sincerity in your apology is a fantastic boost. People, like yourself, who write so clearly to help us understand possible alternatives to austerity economics are really wonderful. I really appreciate your writing and am especially pleased to see that you now wish to support Mr Corbyn (quite rightly not uncritically) as either Prime Minister in a few days time or as an outstanding opponent to a hugely weakened Tory Gov’t if we don’t quite get over the finish line this week. Either way we are stronger being as united as possible. I have made many worse mistakes myself but there is real dignity in the way you have said ‘sorry folks I may have been a bit hasty in my judgement here’. I will continue to read and enjoy your take on the political / economic scene. Thank you for the effort you put into it.
Jude
Thanks. Appreciated. But I’m just another guy trying to do my bit. I am a little surprised by some of the flattery this morning. I just bash out what I think, largely to work it out myself. That’s all. If it helps I appreciate it. That’s enough for me.
Best
Richard
Helpful article. Your honesty is appreciated. I had not liked your previous negative comment about Corbyn etc. when Owen Smith was trying to get elected to the Labour Leadership (If I remember correctly) but appreciate that he has been able to grow into the role and demonstrate leadership potential. Thanks!
There’s a tiny typo in line 5 (para 5) where you talk about being ‘for from alone’, Richard. It took me several attempts to unravel and halted the flow of the reading. That’s all.
Cheers,
Marcus
Corrected now
Thanks
Sadly the Labour-right invented and fuelled ‘Corbyn weakness’ and hindered him massively with an establishment media giving them the platform to to it.
Behind it all is their connections to US corporatism and Israel government agenda – the same connections as Tory ideology.
Unfortunately Labour factionalism has to he faced up to. While Corbyn convincingly stands up to neoliberals, the media imbalance means some compromise has to be made on what/how/when to message some on some issues. That is why McDonnell’s team will I am sure agree with you about how they present fiscal policy is ‘household’ on the budget promise, but mindful a staged process against the grain will prevail.
Good words, Richard. Bottom line is you are a good intelligent man seeking good intelligent solutions and that in itself will be infectious and lead to the right outcome. And you have always provided sound common sense in abundance and well explained.
Meant to add your interesting insight meant you have remained a go-to read for many Corbyn supporters all the while.
Thanks
“The tax policy is not all I would want, for a start. The economic policy still pays too much regard to neoliberal thinking…”
It’s a weakness, yet it is one that I think has almost certainly been forced upon Labour by a dominant narrative that will not be dispelled easily or quickly.
Particularly in the last month or so, I have had many discussions and exchanges with people who have a typical “household budget” view of government finance–obsessed with tackling the debt and eventually running a balanced budget or surplus.
No matter how polite and how patient I’ve been, how much I’ve appealed to evidence and reason, and regardless of the short and educational videos I’ve linked (they typically go unwatched or are dismissed as nonsensical)–I’ve not made a dent in even one person’s understanding or perception of the operational realities of government finance and of basic macroeconomics.
Maybe I’m a terrible communicator, or I’ve been talking to the most obstinate people possible–but it seems to indicate a real problem.
And then there are the journalists who continually ask for “costing” and numbers and how certain policies are to be paid for, which necessarily demands a pound for pound balancing against supposed tax revenues.
It’s just far more expedient to say they’ll tax the rich more to balance the extra spending commitments. I think–and hope–if they were to win and form a government, they would not be shackled by their own manifesto commitments and do things even better.
P.S. Very good of you to apologise.
I accept the problems
But they will have to be addressed
Sorry to be grumpy in the face of a generous apology, but isn’t it rather late, especially given the harm that your withdrawal of support did to Corbyn and to Labour’s chances in this election? I never understood how you could stomp away from the best chance ever for your views and beliefs to find political expression, simply because the machinery wasn’t already in place.
I did not think he was the best chance ever
I still do not have that messianic view
I do think he’s upped his game enormously
But I say that without self interest
You imply I have and that’s not the case
Such an implication of self-regard or self-interest was never in my mind and I am sorry if it appeared so. I would no more impute that to you than to myself, who share the aims and interests. My disappointment arises from the harm your huge vote of no-confidence did to the chances of getting equality issues, tax justice and other such otherwise elite-unfriendly (superficially, not in reality) matters into an actual government agenda. I still think Corbyn is the best chance ever for that to happen.
Well said, Sally. Had to see how that damage can be repaired; any ideas?
Chapeau Richard – I had some doubts about Corbyn as well – but he now looks prime ministerial – & has integrity.
BTW: Labour should use this against the Tories – almost as if Corbyn had a crystal ball
https://twitter.com/EL4JC/status/867741555674796034/video/1
I sincerely respect people who admit they are wrong from time to time. I also completely agree that progressive alliances are much needed along with a commitment to electoral reform. However, I also believe that the way the current media tries to dismantle dissenting ideologies through character assassination is a serious and ongoing issue.
What is often seen as flaw, slip-up or human error are more often than not just examples of what happens to a human being if their language, behaviour, actions are subjected to the most scrupulous search for blemish. This apparent error-proneness which we attributed to Miliband and Brown before Corbyn is nothing more than a greater intensified search for errors and is absolutely not proof that they are comparatively flawed to their counterparts. This I believe. We must ensure politics maintains an emphasis on policies over polish and be stubborn in defense of those who share our values. Especially when they show themselves to be human.
I have to say, Richard, that, in addition to the deserved thanks that you are receiving here from Corbyn supporters, that perhaps you also owe thanks to those of us who stood by him – including people like myself who paid £25 last year simply for the privilege of being able to vote in the second Leadership election.
Without us, you’d be watching Teresa May wiping the floor with Owen Smith.
There would be no left-of-centre Labour manifesto for you to vote for this week.
No million-strong force of newly-registered young people ready to vote in this election.
And no prospect for an end to Tory neo-liberalism in Britain.
You’re welcome.
Don’t be so sour. Richard is apologising.
I admit I did not detect the sourness
Let’s keep the goodwill going
Commendable and admirable apology. With regards to his leadership I guess there was always points of critique, heaven knows I had some and still do, but such points of reservation always seemed to dull in force because I just did not see a plausible alternative at the time to carry a Labour anti-austerity agenda forward. Which has proven to be in the end, because if he had been removed then I don’t think that manifesto that has fared relatively well in this campaign would have saw the light of day.
A year ago Corbyn was still having to fight the naysayers in his own party. Combine with that the old left’s distrust of the monolithic, inflexible and largely undemocratic Brussels bureaucracy, and coherence was impossible.
Today Corbyn is fighting for the UK, a country damaged, almost beyond repair, by Tory and neo-liberal policies.
Dear Mr Murphy,
As someone who has supported Corbyn from day one and fought bitterly for his right to lead the People’s Party, like many others on the Left, we too have questioned Jeremy’s leadership qualities and responses to certain issues. Indeed, we value ‘constructive criticism’ and will continue to prod Corbyn when necessary. As such, glad you have seen the light and please, please, never offer ‘unconditional support’ to any political leader. He’s regained your respect and should be proud of that fact after an uneasy start as Party leader in September 2015.
Further, and unintentionally, the Bitterites and Blairites within the PLP did the Labour Party a great service by challenging Corbyn’s leadership in July last year, a result of which, was Corbyn upping his game, whilst we his supporters, engaged in new tactics to strengthen his internal support and get his message over via new social media channels.
Welcome back, but never be afraid to be critical as we do live in a democracy and Labour is a democratic Party.
What does the good book say…. “better a sinner that repenteth…” or something like that!!!
Thanks John for your honesty and welcome to the club that believes that Jeremy Corbyn will be a Prime Minister for us all.
John?
Ummm – ooops! Sorry Richard!!!
Note to self: try to ensure you get the writer’s name right before posting comments – it’s only polite!
Grovel, grovel, sorry!!!! I really meant what I wrote and I do thank you.
Don’t worry!!!
The person who said “never apologise, never explain” was wrong. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is to apologise, and admit you got it wrong when the world changes around you. It’s called learning. We all sometimes admit that we got it wrong in private. It takes guts to do so in public. Well done you.
I’m a Labour supporter, but live in a strong Con area. So I might vote tactically. But my brain says even if Labour will lose in my area I should still vote Labour, to show the strength of the opposition to Conservatives. I guess this is why so many people say they will make their mind up on the day …
There will be many facing a dilemma when they get that stubby pencil in their hands
Richard, I hope post-election that you will be offering your services to John McDonnell. There will be an economic mountain for Labour to climb after this election, and we need every financial wizard’s help to balance the economy to serve the many. I’m an OAP who only joined the Labour Party after seeing how the PLP treated their newly elected leader. Our trust in him has been more than repaid. I’ve already voted by post and am hoping for an outright Labour majority next Thursday. Your article will have helped to get us there. Thank you.
John has my number
I’m not seeking to impose myself on anyone
And I am not asking
Hi Richard, I respect and often quote your opinions and the information on this site in my online postings. So I was really disappointed when you attacked Corbyn. I am delighted to see this apology. It has cheered me up. Fingers crossed for a Labour victory – and if we can’t expect that then at least for a hung parliament. Keep up the good work.
An apology is nice but a bit late in the day maybe to help us remove this terrible Government. We have worked very hard to get where we are; many of us Suspended or Expelled in the process. It has been far from easy. Apart from this ‘apology’; what will you be doing in future to help the Socialist movement in the UK?
I write this blog
Jeremy Corbyn has demonstrated his ability to listen to criticism and adjust positively where it was justified. Can’t exactly say the same of the ‘Strong and Stable’ lady
I think we have all been taken by surprise just how good he has turned out to be. I hoped for him to bring his ideas and policies into action and he has had the guts to put forward a manifesto which rejects to current course we are on and better still, the presentational skills to back it up. Whatever happens on Thursday, it is clear the public like these policies and they will not be capable of rejection by other members of the labour party. I am going to head out with leaflets and do the best I can to get Labour in and a change for the better in this country. I may be tribal but that is only because the policies of the Conservatives are in themselves meant to preference a very small segment of society.
I have never lost faith in this man. He is what our country needs if the hard working people in this country are to have any kind of future. Having worked in Social Services I have a great awareness of what damage the Tory austerity cuts can do to people.
What kind of world do you want to live in? Theresa’s version or Jeremy’s – I know which one I want, and which one I want my grandchildren to grow up in.
Pray God be on our side come Thursday.Nobody is perfect.Not even Jeremy Corbyn. He has learned much on his journey since putting himself forward to lead this country. He has listened to the people and responded well.He will continue to learn. The people have been given their voice at last. We will grow together. It is right to have different opinions. Jeremy knows that.One thing is certain, this country can never go back to what it was before the election was sprung on us. Events since then have brought people together of all nationalities and creeds. We must build on that now.
The stars are aligning.
Let’s not forget: without Corbynomics (more properly, Murphynomics), we would not be standing so close to an historic Socialist victory.
I don’t think an apology is required here, though it’s typical of our generous and self-effacing host to think otherwise.
I’m pretty certain that Corbyn will have learnt much from the constructive criticism offered by Prof Murphy, and clearly he has acted upon it. Having taken economic guidance from that source, why would he not?
The key point is solidarity. I’m pretty sure now that Corbyn will win in England and Wales, and that we will have a Coalition of Hope between Labour and the SNP. The government should have access to the country’s leading public intellectual, economist and tax expert.
We all know who that is, even if the person in question is too modest to admit it! (Another fine quality).
Corbyn-Sturgeon-Murphy …. it’s a dream team.
I am not destined for active politics as far as I know
But thanks
I don’t think you can avoid it.
Not in the sense of active campaigning, however you’re already the leading economic and tax adviser to the progressive side of the body politic (and I suspect the Tories and UKIP study your blog as well).
The truth is that you need politicians to act on your extraordinary insights, and politicians need you to provide the intellectual foundation of their offer to the public.
If (when!) we have a Socialist victory, you will inevitably be a key member of the wider governmental apparatus.
That’s flattering
But count in many others
Like Ann Pettifor, Steve Keen and Simon Wren-Lewis and many others in that Observer letter yesterday
And on tax Prem Sikka and John Christensen, of course
I am by no means alone
Every leader needs critical voices that are constructive. I hope that your commentary continues in the same vain and JC completes the renewal of Labour
Despite being a Corbyn supporter since the first leadership hustings, I have always respected your views: even your criticisms of Corbyn are rationally made and well thought through. Many of us voted for him knowing his flaws, or indeed because of them. It is his values, his honesty, his principled and consistent stance that initially drew me to him. I voted for Tom Watson as deputy because I thought they would make a good team: idealism and pragmatism make a good mix in my view. It seems Corbyn has adapted his approach anyway.
Had Labour pulled together and we’d not had the coup I think we would be well on our way to a better Britain, possibly a better world. But better late than never. Well done for being as rational as ever
I just hope you haven’t left it too late Richard. You journalists have responsibilities, didn’t you know?
Am I a journalist?
A blogger maybe.
It’s a bit late for an apology. You like many others turned your back and joined the throng of haters, and now it is all too little too late. Now we have to face five years of unremitting destruction of services and the big Naylor Report sellout of NHS property.
For the record I have never been a member of the Labour Party and did not write Corbynomics for him
Nor did I join ‘haters’
I criticised
And as I said, he has risen to the challenges
I am pleased, but think your criticism assumes things of me that are not true