As a Labour member and supporter, I feel a certain schadenfreude watching the newly-formed Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) take the fight to the Tories. The CDO – set up in response to falling rates of Conservative party membership – appears to be a Tory version of Momentum. It’s certainly making the same mistakes.
In the early days, Momentum was a force for good within the Labour party: I remember seeing its members flooding the streets of Ilford North to ensure the election of Wes Streeting, who was hardly from their wing of the party. It was a movement that attracted idealistic people who shared Labour’s values – not just the Trotskyists of old.
When Corbyn eventually had to move on, Momentum found that it couldn’t
But the movement – which now carps from the sidelines and has no influence on Labour politics or policy – is a shadow of its once powerful self.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in