Jesus H Christ. Is this what it comes down to? A smarmy post-Tribunite nonentity swathed in unrealistic ambition, versus Chauncey Gardener? It is close to pointless wondering who to support between these political titans, Owen Smith or Jeremy Corbyn.
If Smith wins, which I doubt very, very, much, he is no more adept to change the nature of the party than is Corbyn. He has not the nous, balls or means to challenge the activist base and thus recapture those Labour votes which, since 2005, have been winnowing away to Ukip, or the Tories, or to nowhere. Nor even that much support within the PLP.
There are two big issues upon which Labour has lost its votes: immigration and welfare. Smith, from what we’ve seen so far, is no more likely to recapture those who think we have accepted too much immigration, and pay too much money to the feckless, than is Corbyn – ideologically or pragmatically. I think if I bother to vote, assuming mine will still be counted, it would be for Jezza. Why spoil a laugh, when it is in full flight?
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