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Jeremy Corbyn's supporters are 'reactionary' says Tony Blair | Jeremy Corbyn's supporters are 'reactionary' says Tony Blair |
(35 minutes later) | |
Tony Blair has launched a strongly worded attack on Jeremy Corbyn after a new poll showed a groundswell of support for the left-winger. | Tony Blair has launched a strongly worded attack on Jeremy Corbyn after a new poll showed a groundswell of support for the left-winger. |
The former prime minister said Mr Corbyn was “the Tory preference” to lead his party. | The former prime minister said Mr Corbyn was “the Tory preference” to lead his party. |
He branded the leading candidate’s left-wing supporters “reactionary” and said he would not want to win under a left-wing leader. | He branded the leading candidate’s left-wing supporters “reactionary” and said he would not want to win under a left-wing leader. |
“[Labour] misunderstand the difference between radical leftism, which is often in fact quite reactionary – and radical social democracy, which is all about ensuring that values are put to work in the most effective way,” he said. | “[Labour] misunderstand the difference between radical leftism, which is often in fact quite reactionary – and radical social democracy, which is all about ensuring that values are put to work in the most effective way,” he said. |
“Let me make my position clear: I wouldn’t want to win on an old-fashioned leftist platform. Even if I thought it was the route to victory, I wouldn’t take it.” | “Let me make my position clear: I wouldn’t want to win on an old-fashioned leftist platform. Even if I thought it was the route to victory, I wouldn’t take it.” |
He later added: “Even if you did [win] it wouldn’t be right because it wouldn’t take the country “forward, it would take it backwards. That’s why it’s not the right thing to do." | |
Speaking at the Progress think-tank Mr Blair said he would not endorse another candidate because it would “possibly not even [be] helpful for them”. | Speaking at the Progress think-tank Mr Blair said he would not endorse another candidate because it would “possibly not even [be] helpful for them”. |
The first methodic poll of the Labour leadership campaign last night found that Mr Corbyn was on course to win the contest. | The first methodic poll of the Labour leadership campaign last night found that Mr Corbyn was on course to win the contest. |
43 per cent of Labour supporters and members polled by YouGov for The Times newspaper said they would vote for Mr Corbyn in the first round of the contest. | 43 per cent of Labour supporters and members polled by YouGov for The Times newspaper said they would vote for Mr Corbyn in the first round of the contest. |
Andy Burnham was in second place with 26 per cent, with Yvette Cooper third on 20 percent. Liz Kendall polled 11 per cent. | Andy Burnham was in second place with 26 per cent, with Yvette Cooper third on 20 percent. Liz Kendall polled 11 per cent. |
In the final round of voting Mr Corbyn would beat Mr Burnham by 53 per cent to 47 per cent. | In the final round of voting Mr Corbyn would beat Mr Burnham by 53 per cent to 47 per cent. |
Though polling such contests is difficult and the survey may not be an entirely accurate picture of the results, the figures do suggest that Mr Corbyn is doing very well. | Though polling such contests is difficult and the survey may not be an entirely accurate picture of the results, the figures do suggest that Mr Corbyn is doing very well. |
My Corbyn is one of four candidates for the Labour leadership contest. The other four candidates are Andy Burnham, Liz Kendall, and Yvette Cooper. | My Corbyn is one of four candidates for the Labour leadership contest. The other four candidates are Andy Burnham, Liz Kendall, and Yvette Cooper. |