Although Owen Jones was once Jeremy Corbyn’s main cheerleader, in recent months his relationship with the Labour leader has cooled as his former Guardian colleague Seumas Milne has usurped him in Corbyn’s trusted circle.
Still, Jones is now at least on good terms with other members of the party. Today the Guardian columnist has interviewed the outspoken Corbyn rebel Jess Phillips for his YouTube channel. During the friendly exchange, Phillips — who previously told Diane Abbott to ‘f— off’ after they clashed over Corbyn’s shadow cabinet appointments — discusses Corbyn’s pros and cons. Phillips also promises to ‘knife Jeremy Corbyn in the front’ rather than the back, should it become clear to her that he is not up to being leader.
Unfortunately for Corbyn, she adds that while she is happy to support him and make the most of his positive attributes, she does need to have ‘something to work with’ in order to do this. As for his cons? Well, she reminds Corbyn of his shortcomings on a regular basis:
JP: I would do whatever I could to make Jeremy Corbyn more electable but you know, you’ve got to give me something to work with mate.
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