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Corbyn holds out 'hand of friendship' to opponents, urging them to get behind the party - live Corbyn holds out 'hand of friendship' to opponents - as it happened
(about 20 hours later)
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Afternoon summaryAfternoon summary
That’s all from me for today - my colleague Chris Johnson will be picking up the liveblog shortly to report May’s meeting with Hollande.That’s all from me for today - my colleague Chris Johnson will be picking up the liveblog shortly to report May’s meeting with Hollande.
Thanks for the comments.Thanks for the comments.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.02pm BSTat 5.02pm BST
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Channel 4 News’ Michael Crick says it might be a mistake for Jeremy Corbyn to criticise the pharmaceutical industry.Channel 4 News’ Michael Crick says it might be a mistake for Jeremy Corbyn to criticise the pharmaceutical industry.
Jeremy Corbyn should be careful what he says about the pharmaceutical industry. It employs 1000s of Unite members https://t.co/p10rSKz64cJeremy Corbyn should be careful what he says about the pharmaceutical industry. It employs 1000s of Unite members https://t.co/p10rSKz64c
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This is from the Times columnist Janice Turner.This is from the Times columnist Janice Turner.
I just bumped into Angela Eagle. She says police have advised her not to do her constituency surgeries for her own safety. What a disgrace.I just bumped into Angela Eagle. She says police have advised her not to do her constituency surgeries for her own safety. What a disgrace.
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A Labour leadership contest reading listA Labour leadership contest reading list
Here is a Labour leadership contest reading list.Here is a Labour leadership contest reading list.
Claims that Corbyn “embarrassed his critics” by losing council seats are facile, even on their own terms; there was a 3% swing towards the Tories compared with when the seats were last fought, in 2012. Just because some pundits thought Labour might lose 200 seats, it doesn’t mean that “only” losing eighteen becomes a good result.Claims that Corbyn “embarrassed his critics” by losing council seats are facile, even on their own terms; there was a 3% swing towards the Tories compared with when the seats were last fought, in 2012. Just because some pundits thought Labour might lose 200 seats, it doesn’t mean that “only” losing eighteen becomes a good result.
But what can we take from this? Can local election results tell us anything about General Election prospects? Well, yes they can, actually. Matt Singh has demonstrated the following relationship ...But what can we take from this? Can local election results tell us anything about General Election prospects? Well, yes they can, actually. Matt Singh has demonstrated the following relationship ...
That 1% Labour lead in May’s elections translates to the Conservatives having a 10–12% advantage at the next General Election.That 1% Labour lead in May’s elections translates to the Conservatives having a 10–12% advantage at the next General Election.
May’s results were desperately poor. They point to an increased Conservative majority.May’s results were desperately poor. They point to an increased Conservative majority.
But there’s something I do know. One lesson of Corbyn’s victory last year, the rise of Trump and the vote for Brexit is that those who talk about “electability” know much less about the future than they pretend. As Adam Kotsko said, “electability” is “a purely speculative property.” All statements about the future must be heavily discounted. When pundits blather about “electability” they tell us little about Corbyn, but plenty about their own overconfidence, failure to learn from past mistakes and under-appreciation of the importance of complexity and obliquity.But there’s something I do know. One lesson of Corbyn’s victory last year, the rise of Trump and the vote for Brexit is that those who talk about “electability” know much less about the future than they pretend. As Adam Kotsko said, “electability” is “a purely speculative property.” All statements about the future must be heavily discounted. When pundits blather about “electability” they tell us little about Corbyn, but plenty about their own overconfidence, failure to learn from past mistakes and under-appreciation of the importance of complexity and obliquity.
But there’s something I do know. One lesson of Corbyn’s victory last year, the rise of Trump and the vote for Brexit is that those who talk about “electability” know much less about the future than they pretend. As Adam Kotsko said, “electability” is “a purely speculative property.” All statements about the future must be heavily discounted. When pundits blather about “electability” they tell us little about Corbyn, but plenty about their own overconfidence, failure to learn from past mistakes and under-appreciation of the importance of complexity and obliquity.But there’s something I do know. One lesson of Corbyn’s victory last year, the rise of Trump and the vote for Brexit is that those who talk about “electability” know much less about the future than they pretend. As Adam Kotsko said, “electability” is “a purely speculative property.” All statements about the future must be heavily discounted. When pundits blather about “electability” they tell us little about Corbyn, but plenty about their own overconfidence, failure to learn from past mistakes and under-appreciation of the importance of complexity and obliquity.
The political reason for making what seems to be a very naive comment is that it plays into the suspicion of many of his supporters that big business is always bad and doesn’t help society, whether that be by employing a lot of people, or, in the case for big pharma, responding to demand for drugs by researching and producing drugs. Big pharma is one of those dirty bogeymen that it is easy to set up as The Enemy, without really thinking through what the implications of taking out that Enemy might be.The political reason for making what seems to be a very naive comment is that it plays into the suspicion of many of his supporters that big business is always bad and doesn’t help society, whether that be by employing a lot of people, or, in the case for big pharma, responding to demand for drugs by researching and producing drugs. Big pharma is one of those dirty bogeymen that it is easy to set up as The Enemy, without really thinking through what the implications of taking out that Enemy might be.
Kinnock could purge Militant because it was a tiny, nutty Trotskyite sect; Momentum is basically the biggest single organisation in today’s Labour movement: idealisitc, motivated and digi-native. Smith and the Parliamentary Labour Party don’t stand a chance.Kinnock could purge Militant because it was a tiny, nutty Trotskyite sect; Momentum is basically the biggest single organisation in today’s Labour movement: idealisitc, motivated and digi-native. Smith and the Parliamentary Labour Party don’t stand a chance.
A socialist to his core, Smith is in that fine Labour tradition and he has lost no time in setting out what his Labour leadership and his Labour government will look like. He knows the mistakes made in the past long before he was elected – that’s why he has said every Labour policy has to be tested against this benchmark: “Is it going to reduce inequalities in wealth, in power, in outcomes and opportunities, or is it not?”A socialist to his core, Smith is in that fine Labour tradition and he has lost no time in setting out what his Labour leadership and his Labour government will look like. He knows the mistakes made in the past long before he was elected – that’s why he has said every Labour policy has to be tested against this benchmark: “Is it going to reduce inequalities in wealth, in power, in outcomes and opportunities, or is it not?”
First, eliminate his negatives. He is doing this rather neatly. He has challenged the assertion that he is a Blairite—the standard Corbynista abuse for anyone who disagrees with the High Sparrow is that they are a Tory, or worse a Blairite—by praising Corbyn. Smith said: “Jeremy is owed a debt of gratitude for helping Labour to rediscover its radical roots.” But he cleverly balanced that by adding: “but we do need a new generation of Labour men and women to take this party forward, to get us ready for government once more. We’ve been on the sidelines for too long.” Not so much Blair-lite as Corbyn-plus.First, eliminate his negatives. He is doing this rather neatly. He has challenged the assertion that he is a Blairite—the standard Corbynista abuse for anyone who disagrees with the High Sparrow is that they are a Tory, or worse a Blairite—by praising Corbyn. Smith said: “Jeremy is owed a debt of gratitude for helping Labour to rediscover its radical roots.” But he cleverly balanced that by adding: “but we do need a new generation of Labour men and women to take this party forward, to get us ready for government once more. We’ve been on the sidelines for too long.” Not so much Blair-lite as Corbyn-plus.
Second, accentuate his positives. Which he has done by offering policies from the get-go. So far he has promised: the restoration of wage councils, a £200bn investment plan, a War Powers Act so that parliament can properly consider military action and, most importantly, he has floated the possibility of a second referendum on Brexit. This last has been done cleverly. Smith has said that we were right to trust the public to vote in the first referendum, so we can trust them to sign off the deal with a second one. The decision is more serious than buying a pig in a poke, after all.Second, accentuate his positives. Which he has done by offering policies from the get-go. So far he has promised: the restoration of wage councils, a £200bn investment plan, a War Powers Act so that parliament can properly consider military action and, most importantly, he has floated the possibility of a second referendum on Brexit. This last has been done cleverly. Smith has said that we were right to trust the public to vote in the first referendum, so we can trust them to sign off the deal with a second one. The decision is more serious than buying a pig in a poke, after all.
This has the merit, as do all his main promises, of concerning a fight over the future rather than a fight over the past. It is not just that as a new MP (first elected in 2010) Smith has no baggage, but that he is free to take the best of the past and to shape a better future. Radicalism is his central claim and it is his greatest hope for victory. The many Labour members in London and the south east who were disillusioned by Corbyn’s lacklustre EU referendum campaign still want radical change. Owen Smith overtook Angela Eagle by painting her as the past— the establishment candidate, in effect. Now he must continue his insurgency. It is the only route to victory.This has the merit, as do all his main promises, of concerning a fight over the future rather than a fight over the past. It is not just that as a new MP (first elected in 2010) Smith has no baggage, but that he is free to take the best of the past and to shape a better future. Radicalism is his central claim and it is his greatest hope for victory. The many Labour members in London and the south east who were disillusioned by Corbyn’s lacklustre EU referendum campaign still want radical change. Owen Smith overtook Angela Eagle by painting her as the past— the establishment candidate, in effect. Now he must continue his insurgency. It is the only route to victory.
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And, while we are doing Labour Twitter rebuttals, here is the Labour MP Ian Austin responding to Diane Abbott’s claim this morning that Labour MPs were partly to blame for Jeremy Corbyn underperforming at PMQs. (See 8.31am.)And, while we are doing Labour Twitter rebuttals, here is the Labour MP Ian Austin responding to Diane Abbott’s claim this morning that Labour MPs were partly to blame for Jeremy Corbyn underperforming at PMQs. (See 8.31am.)
Deluded Diane says Corbyn's useless at PMQs because MPs don't back him! It's surely actually the other way round. https://t.co/ObtI4DNl80Deluded Diane says Corbyn's useless at PMQs because MPs don't back him! It's surely actually the other way round. https://t.co/ObtI4DNl80
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In his speech this morning Jeremy Corbyn spoke about how Labour had won votes in the House of Lords over the last 10 months as evidence of how he was making the party strong. (See 10.44pm.)In his speech this morning Jeremy Corbyn spoke about how Labour had won votes in the House of Lords over the last 10 months as evidence of how he was making the party strong. (See 10.44pm.)
Maggie Jones, a shadow environment minister in the Lords, says Corbyn should not be trying to take the credit for those government defeats.Maggie Jones, a shadow environment minister in the Lords, says Corbyn should not be trying to take the credit for those government defeats.
Labour Lords Leader @LadyBasildon message to Corbyn - stop taking credit for our victories over Govt - you weren't involved @BuzzFeedUKPolLabour Lords Leader @LadyBasildon message to Corbyn - stop taking credit for our victories over Govt - you weren't involved @BuzzFeedUKPol
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Jeremy Corbyn is on Newsnight tonight.Jeremy Corbyn is on Newsnight tonight.
Setting up for @EvanHD interview for #Newsnight with Jeremy Corbyn - what should we ask? pic.twitter.com/0bINTgNVYfSetting up for @EvanHD interview for #Newsnight with Jeremy Corbyn - what should we ask? pic.twitter.com/0bINTgNVYf
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These are from the BBC’s Norman Smith.These are from the BBC’s Norman Smith.
Team Corbyn say Labour leader not threatening Labour MPs with de-selection but setting out existing party procedures for re-selection.Team Corbyn say Labour leader not threatening Labour MPs with de-selection but setting out existing party procedures for re-selection.
To de-select or not to de-select ? Mr Corbyn's critics think that is exactly what he is threatening them with - whatever Team Corbyn say.To de-select or not to de-select ? Mr Corbyn's critics think that is exactly what he is threatening them with - whatever Team Corbyn say.
Am told the number of registered supporters in Labour leadership contest likely to be nearer 140,000 - not 183000Am told the number of registered supporters in Labour leadership contest likely to be nearer 140,000 - not 183000
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Campaigners have lodged a complaint with police over alleged incitement to racial and religious hatred by former Ukip leader Nigel Farage and Leave.EU during the referendum, the Press Association reports.Campaigners have lodged a complaint with police over alleged incitement to racial and religious hatred by former Ukip leader Nigel Farage and Leave.EU during the referendum, the Press Association reports.
The complaint, backed by almost 40,000 names on an online petition, was handed in to police in north London on Wednesday and given a crime reference number.The complaint, backed by almost 40,000 names on an online petition, was handed in to police in north London on Wednesday and given a crime reference number.
Campaign organiser Zack Newman launched the petition in response to a controversial poster used in the referendum campaign.Campaign organiser Zack Newman launched the petition in response to a controversial poster used in the referendum campaign.
It was launched by Farage in the final days of the referendum and depicted a column of migrants walking through the European countryside under the slogan Breaking Point.It was launched by Farage in the final days of the referendum and depicted a column of migrants walking through the European countryside under the slogan Breaking Point.
The complaint asks police to investigate whether comments made by Mr Farage and others in the Leave.EU camp were “systematically and purposefully designed to incite and stir up fear and intolerance of immigrants in order to procure votes”.The complaint asks police to investigate whether comments made by Mr Farage and others in the Leave.EU camp were “systematically and purposefully designed to incite and stir up fear and intolerance of immigrants in order to procure votes”.
A Ukip spokesman said: “If a generation of ‘clicktivists’ want to wallow in their own outrage, that is their right. Fortunately, fair-minded people will see through their attempts to silence free speech.”A Ukip spokesman said: “If a generation of ‘clicktivists’ want to wallow in their own outrage, that is their right. Fortunately, fair-minded people will see through their attempts to silence free speech.”
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Steven MorrisSteven Morris
Support for Jeremy Corbyn from Tyrone O’Sullivan, a fourth-generation south Wales miner who led a workers’ buy-out of Tower Colliery to save it from closure.Support for Jeremy Corbyn from Tyrone O’Sullivan, a fourth-generation south Wales miner who led a workers’ buy-out of Tower Colliery to save it from closure.
I’ve been close to Jeremy since the miners’ strike. Knowing the man, knowing his abilities and his education, it was a dream come true for me when be became leader. His ideas and values are more necessary here in south Wales than probably anywhere else in the country. He wants victory for Labour, but only under our terms - for a change.I’ve been close to Jeremy since the miners’ strike. Knowing the man, knowing his abilities and his education, it was a dream come true for me when be became leader. His ideas and values are more necessary here in south Wales than probably anywhere else in the country. He wants victory for Labour, but only under our terms - for a change.
O’Sullivan, a lifelong Labour member, says he has nothing personally against Owen Smith but is embarrassed that a fellow Welshman is standing against Corbyn.O’Sullivan, a lifelong Labour member, says he has nothing personally against Owen Smith but is embarrassed that a fellow Welshman is standing against Corbyn.
I feel embarrassed as a Welshman that he hasn’t got the sense to see he’s being used as a stalking horse. If Jeremy dropped out tomorrow there would be 10 other names in front of him to be leader. He would be 11th. For him to come out like this against a true socialist, I thought he would have more sense. Jeremy is the only true socialist we’ve had as leader for 20 or 30 years.I feel embarrassed as a Welshman that he hasn’t got the sense to see he’s being used as a stalking horse. If Jeremy dropped out tomorrow there would be 10 other names in front of him to be leader. He would be 11th. For him to come out like this against a true socialist, I thought he would have more sense. Jeremy is the only true socialist we’ve had as leader for 20 or 30 years.
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At his campaign launch, in response to a question about Owen Smith, Jeremy Corbyn said it was wrong for medical research to be “farmed out to big pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer”. (See 1.01pm.) The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has responded with a statement suggesting it thinks Corbyn does not understand how medical research works. It said:At his campaign launch, in response to a question about Owen Smith, Jeremy Corbyn said it was wrong for medical research to be “farmed out to big pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer”. (See 1.01pm.) The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has responded with a statement suggesting it thinks Corbyn does not understand how medical research works. It said:
The pharmaceutical industry invests more than £88bn a year into research and development in order to bring new medicines and vaccines to patients to fight disease. These new medicines include treatments for diabetes, cancer and cures for Hepatitis C, transforming the lives of patients and their families. In the UK this equates to £4.1bn per year of investment in R&D, with the [Medical Research Council] also contributing £770m and research charities £1.3bn. Clearly the taxpayer could not replace the world-wide investment made by industry in researching new medicines. Collaboration between industry researchers, academics and clinicians in the development of medicines for patient benefit is hugely important.The pharmaceutical industry invests more than £88bn a year into research and development in order to bring new medicines and vaccines to patients to fight disease. These new medicines include treatments for diabetes, cancer and cures for Hepatitis C, transforming the lives of patients and their families. In the UK this equates to £4.1bn per year of investment in R&D, with the [Medical Research Council] also contributing £770m and research charities £1.3bn. Clearly the taxpayer could not replace the world-wide investment made by industry in researching new medicines. Collaboration between industry researchers, academics and clinicians in the development of medicines for patient benefit is hugely important.
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A spokesman for the Owen Smith campaign has questioned Jeremy Corbyn’s account of the circumstances leading up to Smith’s resignation from the shadow cabinet. (See 1.23pm.) The spokesman said that Smith went to see Corbyn with Lisa Nandy, John Healey, Nia Griffith and Kate Green when they were all still shadow cabinet members. He went on:A spokesman for the Owen Smith campaign has questioned Jeremy Corbyn’s account of the circumstances leading up to Smith’s resignation from the shadow cabinet. (See 1.23pm.) The spokesman said that Smith went to see Corbyn with Lisa Nandy, John Healey, Nia Griffith and Kate Green when they were all still shadow cabinet members. He went on:
They had hoped to leave that meeting with the confidence to continue to support the leadership in bringing the Labour party together from within the shadow cabinet. During the course of the meeting it became apparent that this would not be possible.They had hoped to leave that meeting with the confidence to continue to support the leadership in bringing the Labour party together from within the shadow cabinet. During the course of the meeting it became apparent that this would not be possible.
At the end of the meeting it was clear that Jeremy Corbyn would not and could not respond to their concerns with a concrete plan and commitment to unite the party. It was evident they were not happy with Jeremy’s response and proposals. Immediately following this they resigned.At the end of the meeting it was clear that Jeremy Corbyn would not and could not respond to their concerns with a concrete plan and commitment to unite the party. It was evident they were not happy with Jeremy’s response and proposals. Immediately following this they resigned.