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Conservatives see a chance ‘to discredit socialist thinking once and for all’ Conservatives see a chance ‘to discredit socialist thinking once and for all’
(2 days later)
For the Conservatives, Jeremy Corbyn might seem like a political gift and an easy target.For the Conservatives, Jeremy Corbyn might seem like a political gift and an easy target.
But behind the scenes there has been lengthy debate in the Tory party over how to take on Corbyn, given the new anti-politics mood at large and a suspicion that nothing at all can safely be predicted these days.But behind the scenes there has been lengthy debate in the Tory party over how to take on Corbyn, given the new anti-politics mood at large and a suspicion that nothing at all can safely be predicted these days.
How to attack Labour under Corbyn was the top item at a meeting of the political cabinet on Tuesday.How to attack Labour under Corbyn was the top item at a meeting of the political cabinet on Tuesday.
David Cameron and George Osborne know that, despite the temptation to lampoon him, they must play the ball, not the man, at least in the short term.David Cameron and George Osborne know that, despite the temptation to lampoon him, they must play the ball, not the man, at least in the short term.
Corbyn won a mandate from an electorate of more than 550,000 Labour members and supporters. In the Tory high command, they suspect that the forces that delivered him as Labour leader may not be confined entirely to the left but could be part of a wider questioning of politics and politicians that is happening on sections of the middle ground, too.Corbyn won a mandate from an electorate of more than 550,000 Labour members and supporters. In the Tory high command, they suspect that the forces that delivered him as Labour leader may not be confined entirely to the left but could be part of a wider questioning of politics and politicians that is happening on sections of the middle ground, too.
“We will have to beat him with clear intellectual arguments, not personal abuse” says Alan Duncan, a former party vice-chairman. “It is a chance for us to discredit socialist thinking for good.”“We will have to beat him with clear intellectual arguments, not personal abuse” says Alan Duncan, a former party vice-chairman. “It is a chance for us to discredit socialist thinking for good.”
Some Tory MPs say that their party should lay off Corbyn altogether and, as one put it, “ actively preserve him, as he will be our greatest asset”. Cameron and Osborne agree only in part. They have decided on a strategy which is to depersonalise the debate, while trying to appeal to working people as well as middle-class voters on the issue of economic security.Some Tory MPs say that their party should lay off Corbyn altogether and, as one put it, “ actively preserve him, as he will be our greatest asset”. Cameron and Osborne agree only in part. They have decided on a strategy which is to depersonalise the debate, while trying to appeal to working people as well as middle-class voters on the issue of economic security.
Corbyn cannot simply be attacked personally; he must be confronted politically, tooCorbyn cannot simply be attacked personally; he must be confronted politically, too
The political cabinet decided that the Tories would play heavily on the idea that they offer hard-working people a better future through lower taxes, a higher minimum wage, more jobs and better public services, while a left-wing agenda would deliver insecurity through higher spending, higher taxes and more borrowing.The political cabinet decided that the Tories would play heavily on the idea that they offer hard-working people a better future through lower taxes, a higher minimum wage, more jobs and better public services, while a left-wing agenda would deliver insecurity through higher spending, higher taxes and more borrowing.
One senior Tory minister said the challenge was wider and the party had to re-engage with arguments it thought it had won several decades ago. “There is a danger in us just assuming that most people think Corbyn is wrong. We have to be careful not to dismiss what has happened. We have to rediscover and revisit the language we used in the 1980s and make the case for markets, privatisation and low taxes. We have to take on the wider arguments.”One senior Tory minister said the challenge was wider and the party had to re-engage with arguments it thought it had won several decades ago. “There is a danger in us just assuming that most people think Corbyn is wrong. We have to be careful not to dismiss what has happened. We have to rediscover and revisit the language we used in the 1980s and make the case for markets, privatisation and low taxes. We have to take on the wider arguments.”
The first test for Cameron and Tory MPs will be Corbyn’s first appearance on Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Questions. Will they cheer and jeer him, as they did Ed Miliband?The first test for Cameron and Tory MPs will be Corbyn’s first appearance on Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Questions. Will they cheer and jeer him, as they did Ed Miliband?
Paul Goodman, a former Tory MP and now editor of ConservativeHome, said that, if his party simply paints him as a leftwing lunatic, this could play into his hands. “Corbyn cannot simply be attacked personally; he must be confronted politically, too. Ideas matter, and his prospectus could gain traction unless counter-momentum is built up for the Conservative case. Which means making the argument for centre-right policies on homes, schools and jobs that further one nation and social justice.”Paul Goodman, a former Tory MP and now editor of ConservativeHome, said that, if his party simply paints him as a leftwing lunatic, this could play into his hands. “Corbyn cannot simply be attacked personally; he must be confronted politically, too. Ideas matter, and his prospectus could gain traction unless counter-momentum is built up for the Conservative case. Which means making the argument for centre-right policies on homes, schools and jobs that further one nation and social justice.”
Another commentator and former Tory MP, Iain Dale, said: “On a personal level, Jeremy Corbyn is one of the nicest people you will meet. Tory strategists would be well advised to lay off him and let voters make up their own minds as to whether he’s up to the job. Any attacks should be left until nearer the next election – and be based on policy, not personality.” Another commentator and former Tory candidate, Iain Dale, said: “On a personal level, Jeremy Corbyn is one of the nicest people you will meet. Tory strategists would be well advised to lay off him and let voters make up their own minds as to whether he’s up to the job. Any attacks should be left until nearer the next election – and be based on policy, not personality.”