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Tony Blair says he wouldn’t want a left-wing Labour party to win an election | Tony Blair says he wouldn’t want a left-wing Labour party to win an election |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Tony Blair has said he would not want a left-wing Labour party to win a general election. | Tony Blair has said he would not want a left-wing Labour party to win a general election. |
The former prime minister said that even if he thought a left-wing programme was the route to victory, he would not adopt one. | The former prime minister said that even if he thought a left-wing programme was the route to victory, he would not adopt one. |
“[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.” |
“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.” | |
Jeremy Corbyn speaks at the Durham Miners' Gala Speaking at the Progress think-tank Mr Blair said anyone who supported Jeremy Corbyn “in their heart” needed to think about getting “a heart transplant”. | |
He further described the left-winger as “the Tory preference”. | He further described the left-winger as “the Tory preference”. |
The former leader said he would not positively endorse a candidate because it would “possibly not even [be] helpful for them”, however. | |
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, 20 per cent Yvette Cooper and 11 per cent Liz Kendall. | Andy Burnham was in second place with 26 per cent, 20 per cent Yvette Cooper and 11 per cent Liz Kendall. |
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 candidates are Andy Burnham, Liz Kendall, and Yvette Cooper. |