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Ken Livingstone's 'grotesque analogies' unite the national press Ken Livingstone's 'grotesque analogies' unite the national press
(35 minutes later)
Has Ken Livingstone lost the plot? Can he not see that what he said about Hitler and Zionism was utterly barmy? Does he not realise that his remarks were an historical nonsense?Has Ken Livingstone lost the plot? Can he not see that what he said about Hitler and Zionism was utterly barmy? Does he not realise that his remarks were an historical nonsense?
It is no wonder, except possibly to him and a lunatic Labour fringe, that the national press of all political persuasions has turned on him.It is no wonder, except possibly to him and a lunatic Labour fringe, that the national press of all political persuasions has turned on him.
The headlines, articles and editorials in Friday’s newspapers were unusually united in their condemnation of a politician whose clumsy attempts to quell allegations of antisemitism within Labour have had the opposite effect.The headlines, articles and editorials in Friday’s newspapers were unusually united in their condemnation of a politician whose clumsy attempts to quell allegations of antisemitism within Labour have had the opposite effect.
As the Guardian said: “With singular crassness, instead of clearing the air yesterday, Mr Livingstone encouraged the accusation.”As the Guardian said: “With singular crassness, instead of clearing the air yesterday, Mr Livingstone encouraged the accusation.”
Instead of helping his party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, he has sunk him into what the Daily Mirror called “a toxic swamp”. Rather than helping his party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, he has sunk him into what the Daily Mirror called “a toxic swamp”.
“Bizarrely”, said the Independent’s political editor, Andrew Grice, Livingstone “leapt to the defence” of the suspended MP Naz Shah - for suggesting that Jews be transported to America - “when she was no longer defending herself.”“Bizarrely”, said the Independent’s political editor, Andrew Grice, Livingstone “leapt to the defence” of the suspended MP Naz Shah - for suggesting that Jews be transported to America - “when she was no longer defending herself.”
The Times viewed Livingstone’s “grotesque analogies” and “demagoguery” as symptomatic of Corbyn’s “calamitous leadership”.The Times viewed Livingstone’s “grotesque analogies” and “demagoguery” as symptomatic of Corbyn’s “calamitous leadership”.
For the Daily Telegraph, Livingstone’s “idiotic remarks” were a “gross inaccuracy” but “indicative of a philosophy that has been validated by Mr Corbyn’s election as leader of the Labour party.”For the Daily Telegraph, Livingstone’s “idiotic remarks” were a “gross inaccuracy” but “indicative of a philosophy that has been validated by Mr Corbyn’s election as leader of the Labour party.”
That view was echoed by the Daily Mail, which scorned Livingstone’s “absurd claim that Hitler was a Zionist” and thought Corbyn had failed to understand that it was “monstrously and deliberately offensive.”That view was echoed by the Daily Mail, which scorned Livingstone’s “absurd claim that Hitler was a Zionist” and thought Corbyn had failed to understand that it was “monstrously and deliberately offensive.”
Ditto the Daily Express: “There is a poisonous bigotry within Labour and its leader is not taking the action necessary to get rid of it. Ditto the Daily Express: “There is a poisonous bigotry within Labour and its leader is not taking the action necessary to get rid of it.”
And the Sun, dancing delightedly on Labour’s political grave with an editorial headlined “Red and buried”, viewed Corbyn’s reaction to Livingstone’s “repugnant Hitler outburst” as pitiful.And the Sun, dancing delightedly on Labour’s political grave with an editorial headlined “Red and buried”, viewed Corbyn’s reaction to Livingstone’s “repugnant Hitler outburst” as pitiful.
This unity across the national newspaper board is very unusual indeed. Corbyn and his main media aide, Seumas Milne, should heed the message it sends.This unity across the national newspaper board is very unusual indeed. Corbyn and his main media aide, Seumas Milne, should heed the message it sends.
Leaving aside the rightwing press reaction, they should note the reaction of papers generally favourable to Labour. The remarks by London’s former mayor have tainted both Corbyn and his party.Leaving aside the rightwing press reaction, they should note the reaction of papers generally favourable to Labour. The remarks by London’s former mayor have tainted both Corbyn and his party.
The Mirror, in accepting that “Corbyn doesn’t have a racist bone in his body”, said he must be aware that “the charge of antisemitism is undermining his position and tarnishing the party.”The Mirror, in accepting that “Corbyn doesn’t have a racist bone in his body”, said he must be aware that “the charge of antisemitism is undermining his position and tarnishing the party.”
The Guardian believes that there is “an ill-advised temptation to shrug off” complaints about antisemitism on the left. It continued:The Guardian believes that there is “an ill-advised temptation to shrug off” complaints about antisemitism on the left. It continued:
“Mr Corbyn is not an antisemite, and his enemies should not cheapen that charge by suggesting he is. There is, however, a question - put even by some sympathisers - as to whether there has been a selective hesitancy in condemning failings on the part of others. ..“Mr Corbyn is not an antisemite, and his enemies should not cheapen that charge by suggesting he is. There is, however, a question - put even by some sympathisers - as to whether there has been a selective hesitancy in condemning failings on the part of others. ..
He must now go beyond the routine denunciations and demonstrate that he - and his Labour party - is as instinctively attuned to this perennial virus as to every other form of racism.”He must now go beyond the routine denunciations and demonstrate that he - and his Labour party - is as instinctively attuned to this perennial virus as to every other form of racism.”
The Times may be no friend of Labour but who can disagree with its argument that its “corroded state... is a catastrophe for the party and a colossal hindrance to its electoral prospects”?The Times may be no friend of Labour but who can disagree with its argument that its “corroded state... is a catastrophe for the party and a colossal hindrance to its electoral prospects”?
And Labour should note this as well...And Labour should note this as well...
Party members would do well to read Robert Shrimsley’s heartfelt piece in the Financial Times. He told how he had been planning to vote for Sadiq Khan in the London mayoral election for “many good reasons.”Party members would do well to read Robert Shrimsley’s heartfelt piece in the Financial Times. He told how he had been planning to vote for Sadiq Khan in the London mayoral election for “many good reasons.”
But, he wrote, “a vote for Mr Khan is a vote for Labour, and at the moment the Labour leadership has shown itself to be a party that is at best indifferent to antisemitism and at worst hostile to the Jewish community.”But, he wrote, “a vote for Mr Khan is a vote for Labour, and at the moment the Labour leadership has shown itself to be a party that is at best indifferent to antisemitism and at worst hostile to the Jewish community.”
His lengthy analysis concludes with this telling sentence:His lengthy analysis concludes with this telling sentence:
“I, like many British Jews, now feel as I imagine the gay community must have done when Margaret Thatcher passed the homophobic section 28 — that one of the two main parties has turned against me.”“I, like many British Jews, now feel as I imagine the gay community must have done when Margaret Thatcher passed the homophobic section 28 — that one of the two main parties has turned against me.”