As an ex party member I have some sympathy with the seven MPs, I left, as did many I know, because it simply wasn't the party I'd joined over 30 years before, locally it was a complete mess and to me had completely lost its way - a situation that has only deteriorated over some years since. Yes, you can always say they have self interest at heart - although with the knowledge that these rebellions and 'new' parties are like shooting stars a bright bang and then nothing - it's doubtful. Corbyn is just dreadful, not bright, and having his strings pulled, and reneging on his promise to support the member's views, although singularly dragging his feet over their conference decision on a second vote and who knows what he really thinks about Brexit? There is a party within a party - and I remember the last time this happened with the Militant mob, who were not as dangerous as Momentum, the difference then was the party had a Leader in Neil Kinnock - who led - remember that conference speech?Labour should be streets ahead in the polls given the dire straits that the Tories are in, that they're not speaks volumes, that many people who have steadfastly supported the party over many years now no longer can bring themselves to vote for them surely tells them something?It could be that these seven people are displaying some integrity and courage - and there's not a lot of that in British politics - time will tell.
Vanessa Smith ● 2595d