Jeremy Corbyn’s mob rule will spark a Labour civil war following his rise from bewildered obscurity to political popstar
FROM the moment he was elected Labour leader, it always seemed a mistake to under-estimate Jeremy Corbyn. Once the Left has its hooks on power, as he had, nothing will persuade them to let go.
Admittedly, Jezza’s rise from bewildered obscurity to political popstar took us all by surprise. Even the Tories thought they were finished after losing their majority.
But it is just as big a mistake to over-state Labour’s chances of winning a general election as it was to under-rate them. Triumphalist Corbyn already seems to be turning boom into bust.
With the Tories floundering and Jezza miles ahead of Theresa May in popularity, that might sound delusional.
But the fair-minded British public will surely be repelled by the sight of vengeful Corbynistas wallowing in an orgy of self-proclaimed triumph.
Voters are observing a dark side to the allotment-digging beardie who insists on sharing his fish paste sandwiches with strangers.
Far from the “kinder, gentler” politics he once promised, Jezza is presiding over a foul-mouthed rabble who make violent threats against critics — including his own MPs.
The 13.5million who supported the Tories are routinely labelled as “scum”. Blatant lies, smears and fake news are standard tactics for his Momentum propagandists.
But stabbing threats and swastikas carved into election posters provide evidence of a dangerous new Nazi-style takeover of the Labour brand.
Decent Labour voters hate the foul-mouthed abuse levelled against moderate MPs by Corbyn’s swarming guard of Trots and Marxists.
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Leftie Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow made a terrible mistake by unprofessionally lending his voice to the Glastonbury chant of “F*** the Tories”.
He is now tainted by association with the mob — no better than rabble-rousing Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell who hijacked the Grenfell Tower tragedy to brand the Tories “murderers”.
Rebels will pay with their political lives
Trevor Kavanagh
The loony left are out of control, hysterically raising their fists against a democratically elected Tory government.
Senior Labour figures, dismayed by displays of thuggery, tell me they backed Corbyn this time because they thought he had no hope. But they will not vote Labour again if he looks like winning.
I wondered if their integrity would survive a choice between potential power and the sack. But the option is already history. The purge has begun.
Mild-mannered Jezza has emerged in his true colours — as a socialist tyrant. Anyone who stands in his way will be crushed.
Blairites like Yvette Cooper and Chuka Umunna have already been snubbed in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet reshuffle. Others resigned or were forced out.
The 49 rebels who defied the whip and voted for post-Brexit Britain to stay in the single market will pay with their political lives.
A change to party rules will give Corbynites power to de-select sitting MPs and replace them with candidates from the hard left.
New party chairman Ian Lavery warns nobody has a “divine right” to be a Labour MP.
Arch-leftie and rising star Seema Chandwani condemns moderates like Jess Phillips and Stephen Kinnock as “Judas” figures for opposing Jezza.
“After leaving us when the going got tough, stepping on our heads and pushing us deeper under water, you believe you have a right to be on this ship?” she writes on the Red Pepper website.
The declaration of civil war is a lifeline for the stricken Tories.
Moderates encouraged by Tony Blair are already plotting to form a new party, with ex-Foreign Secretary David Miliband returning from exile in America as its leader.
They are buoyed by the example of new French President Emmanuel Macron who created a political movement from scratch.
Super-rich backers like Harry Potter creator J K Rowling, a devoted Labour supporter, are being tapped for cash to set it up.
These are early days. But the Tories need to understand quickly that, despite inflicting this nation with political catastrophe at a pivotal moment in our history, all is not necessarily lost.
Michael Gove is a class act
Those who saw him on the Andrew Marr Show will understand why Theresa May brought him back into her Cabinet as Environment supremo.
Yes, he’s made mistakes and has learned tough lessons. Having known him for 30 years, I can testify he is a profoundly decent man.
As the working class son of an Aberdeen fishmonger and perhaps the most lucid brain in politics, Gove – at just 49 with three major offices of State under his belt – cannot be written off as a future PM.