John McDonnell’s U-turn on backing the government’s fiscal charter is just the sort of inconsistent positioning some in Labour fear will destroy the party’s reputation under Jeremy Corbyn. No one from the shadow treasury team was willing to speak on the Today programme about the U-turn so it was left to seasoned media performer Diane Abbott, now the shadow international development secretary, to defend the party’s position. In a rather bizarre interview, Abbott claimed that Labour was not in a shambles:
‘No, no, no, I think we’re in the right position to oppose Osborne’s mismanagement of the economy’.
Before declining to explain why McDonnell has changed his mind on backing the charter:
‘He will be explaining that to the House of Commons tomorrow so you will have long to wait to find out.’
Abbott went on to say Labour ‘shouldn’t get caught up in a process story’ but reiterated ‘we are in the right position now, it’s a position most of the PLP is comfortable and I think all party members.
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