Chris Leslie, Labour's Shadow Chancellor, appeared on Today this morning to join the chorus of anti-Jeremy Corbyn voices among the Labour mainstream. But aside from confirming that he wouldn't serve in a Corbyn shadow cabinet (along with a reported eight other current shadow cabinet ministers) he attempted to go beyond negative campaigning and explain why he felt a Corbyn victory would be wrong for principled reasons, as well as electoral pragmatism.
“And I think the point is now... some of those solutions, the policies offered on the hard left are not all that they’re cracked up to be. In fact, they risk hurting some of the most poor, the most vulnerable, those on the lowest incomes,” Leslie said.
His appearance has sparked a Twitter backlash from Corbynites using the hashtag #ifjeremycorbynwins. Usually, Twitter is an extremely poor guide to public opinion, but in the case of Corbyn's supporters—many of them young, politically engaged lefties—it may be more representative. Taking a look at the hashtag therefore gives an interesting insight into how Corbyn's supporters view his chances—and how seriously they take the opinions of those warning against his victory.
Some question Corbyn's "unelectability"
And, as in any swell of Corbynite opinion, there was plenty of what seems to be a defining aim: for Labour to become a "proper opposition:"
“And I think the point is now... some of those solutions, the policies offered on the hard left are not all that they’re cracked up to be. In fact, they risk hurting some of the most poor, the most vulnerable, those on the lowest incomes,” Leslie said.
His appearance has sparked a Twitter backlash from Corbynites using the hashtag #ifjeremycorbynwins. Usually, Twitter is an extremely poor guide to public opinion, but in the case of Corbyn's supporters—many of them young, politically engaged lefties—it may be more representative. Taking a look at the hashtag therefore gives an interesting insight into how Corbyn's supporters view his chances—and how seriously they take the opinions of those warning against his victory.
Some question Corbyn's "unelectability"
#IfJeremyCorbynWins we'll have a party capable of a majority that voters of the SNP and Green parties will be able to vote for.
— Christian Hurry (@HurryMrHurry) August 3, 2015
#IfJeremyCorbynWins Labour will be become a very different party altogether, not chasing the Tories tails but setting its own agenda — Carolyn (@tweetycakes78) August 3, 2015
Many ridiculed what they saw as over-the-top predictions by opponents in recent weeks:1) Jeremy Corbyn is unelectable 2) If you do elect him the sky will fall in How does that work exactly? #rightwinglogic#IfJeremyCorbynWins
— tash (@tashLDN) July 27, 2015
Giant spiders will take over. #IfJeremyCorbynWinspic.twitter.com/BvmVrj4dkn — Ste (@steh987) August 3, 2015
"I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords" #IfJeremyCorbynWinspic.twitter.com/GzKKDXLtzf
— Sean David Thomas (@seandavidthomas) August 3, 2015
#IfJeremyCorbynWins expect opinions, policies, stances, votes in parliament etc and other bizarre novelties. — JE (@JohnEdginton) August 3, 2015
And, as in any swell of Corbynite opinion, there was plenty of what seems to be a defining aim: for Labour to become a "proper opposition:"
#IfJeremyCorbynWins Labour might start to oppose the Tories. That could work. https://t.co/wyVFNQAxj6
— Alan Knox (@alanknox) August 3, 2015
#IfJeremyCorbynWins someone might say this pic.twitter.com/2Vo9bMEVrY
— Marcus Chown (@marcuschown) August 3, 2015
#IfJeremyCorbynWins then PMQ's is going to be great stuff. Society v Sneering.
— James Wren (@PeoplePensPaper) August 3, 2015
