Labour Live: Never mind the scepticism, it’s JezFest

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jun/16/labour-live-jezfest-london-jeremy-corbyn-scepticism

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Labour supporters gathered in north London on Saturday afternoon for an event officially called Labour Live, but also known as “JezFest”.

The party says about 3,000 tickets were sold but the White Hart Lane recreation ground has a 20,000 capacity.

Tony Lennon, a retired stage manager from Shropshire, is unconcerned: “Its not about making money,” he says. “Its about bringing people who believe in the same sort of thing together. If this is the first time they’ve organised a festival like this then they’ve done really well. Weather’s not so good, but I think overall it will do the job.”

The poor turnout for Labour Live might be evidence of a labouring love for Corbyn’s brand of socialism but the cult of personality endures among the faithful on an overcast day.

A diverse smattering of people young and old, black and white, middle and working class wander across the grass between stages, as Rae Morris – Blackpool’s pop challenger – implores the several dozen people sitting in front of the main stage to get on their feet and dance.

People have been … disengaged in politics and one party is trying to appeal in a different way

The tents are fairly busy, however. Ian Avery, the MP and former trade unionist, gets a good turnout in the Solidarity tent along with Dan Carden MP and Len McCluskey for the People’s Question Time.

The Literary tent is packed for Guardian columnist Dawn Foster and editor-at-large, Gary Younge, as they talk about how a new generation of Labour voters were interested in bringing the party back to its roots following the 2015 defeat.

On the side of the tent is the Socialist Bookmarks shop where books on offer include Unravelling Capitalism, the Rebel’s Guide to Gramsci, and the Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists.

Meanwhile, the leftwing authors of today are in close attendance preparing to speak.

“Given the overwhleming onslaught of sneeriness, snideness, snarkiness and snobbery about this event from opponents of Jeremy Corbyn. It’s just nice to actually be here and see there’s a whole bunch of people having a nice time,” says Alex Nunns, author of The Candidate: Jeremy Corbyn’s Improbable Path to Power.

“We live in a country where people have been completely disengaged in politics and one party is trying to appeal in a different way and make it a little less dry.”

Festivalgoers appear most concerned about education, housing, wages and the NHS rather than Brexit.

The mostly remain voters rue the “disaster of leaving the EU” but say the referendum result must be accepted and its not exactly at the top of their priorities anyway.

“The debate is dominated by pedantic squabbles,” says Chris Saltmarsh, a 22-year-old climate change campaigner from Liverpool. “There are many more important things for the political elite to worry out.”

As Guardian columnist Owen Jones takes to the main stage and restates Labour’s pledge to abolish tuition fees, renationalise industries that “ belong to us” and then give people a proper living wage, to whoops from the crowd, you get the feeling Corbyn is plugging the right line – to the diehards.

His comrade John McDonnell will introduce him at about 6pm and until then people can browse Corbyn merchandise, listen to Declan McKenna and work out how to transform the world.