More Labour MPs stand down before snap poll amid anxiety over seats

[brooklynite]

Source: The Guardian

More Labour MPs have said they will not contest their seats as Theresa May seeks a larger Conservative majority at a snap general election, amid anxiety within the party about the prospect of losing seats on 8 June.

Labour has confirmed that all sitting Labour MPs will be automatically reselected but a number are considering whether to withdraw from politics just two years after winning their seats in 2015.

Iain Wright, the respected chair of the House of Commons business committee, said he was not standing again because he wanted to pursue other opportunities, while Pat Glass, the former shadow Europe minister, said she wanted to spend time with her grandchildren.

Gisela Stuart, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, refused to say if she would stand again, while Fiona Mactaggart, MP for Slough, was also thought to be considering whether to step down.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/19/more-labour-mps-stand-down-before-snap-poll-election-anxiety-over-seats

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As with Bernie Sanders, some progressives looked favorably upon Jeremy Corbyn on the theory that only a "real" liberal could bring Labour back to power. I think they're going to be disappointed.

[hrmjustin]

1. I hope for the UK's sake Labour does better than predicted but I don't think that will happen.

I would not be shocked if the went below 200 seats. If this happens Corbyn must resign and the party must elected a more electable leader.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. Labour makes the Democratic Party look positively competent.

[Txbluedog]

3. Socialists like Corbyn and Sanders are unelectable

Unfortunately I don't see Corbyn standing down even after a massive loss. It's not in a socialists mindset to face reality

[mwooldri]

6. Corbyn is more like Michael Foot IMO.

I'm surprised there hasn't been a Labour spin-off party.

Corbyn is way more left than Sanders - look at his positions. Corbyn is a true socialist. And a Republican (as in anti-monarchy). Sanders describe himself as a Democratic Socialist, though he looks and talks more like a UK Liberal Democrat than someone like Jeremy Corbyn. The monarchy is hugely popular in Britain, no one is calling for its abolition. In fact, the future is bright - look at William and Harry. There is a lot to be said for having an apolitical, good-work doing unelected hereditary head of state that is for all intents and purposes a figurehead and moral compass.

Should Theresa May win a landslide (> 100 seats) Corbyn will be toast. I'm certain that he will be able to see the writing on the wall.

I want to see how Tim Farron's SDP-like Liberal Democrats fare this time. I sincerely hope they do well.

[StevieM]

8. I don't think Sanders can be compared to a UK Liberal Democrat because they seem to be free traders.

Sanders, on the other hand, is a protectionist.

[T_i_B]

14. UK Liberals have been pro-free trade since at least the 1840's

Part of the reason why the SDP lot split from Labour (and eventually merged with the Liberal party to form the Liberal Democrats) is because Labour under Michael Foot was about to head in a very protectionist direction.

Corbyn himself is clearly something of an old fashioned protectionist, although it's worth noting that for most of its history going right back to Keir Hardie Labour has actually been pro free trade.

All protectionism does is reduce choice and increases costs for everything, which hits the poorest the hardest.

[T_i_B]

10. If Corbyn were to stay on after a general election pumelling...

...then Labour MP's (what will be left of them) might decide that it's finally time for SDP part II. Although it's worth remembering that Labour is a very tribal organisation, and MP's might still be very reluctant to break ties with Labour, in spite of everything that is wrong with the party.

[StevieM]

9. Corbyn would have to stand down after a loss. It would be unheard of if he didn't. And if Labour

were to lose in a historic landslide he wouldn't have any choice. The party would vote no confidence, force an election for a new leader and this time he would be defeated. The Labour voters aren't going to stick with him after a landslide defeat.

[OnDoutside]

11. It's such a pity David Milliband didn't go back to politics 2 or 3 years ago. There's no one

with his stature left in the Labour Party. Maybe this decimation will encourage him to return.

[T_i_B]

15. Doubt it very much

As an unrepentant Blairite, with even less of the common touch than his brother, David Miliband is not popular with the Labour grassroots.

[OnDoutside]

17. He'll be a lot more popular soon....

[Valhallakey]

4. I thought there was a lot of voters remorse over Brexit

There were a lot of stories about it immediately after the Brexit initiative passed. Should that not help the anti Brexit candidates?

[brooklynite]

5. What is the value of being an anti-Brexit candidate after Parliament voted in support of it...

...including Corbyn?

[mwooldri]

7. If you're a Lib Dem or SNP....

.... you're on record as being against Brexit. The reality is that Article 50 has been invoked, so the official position of the Lib Dems is "as much Europe as possible without being in it". Mind, if there ever was a miracle, a Lib Dem government would probably want to take back that Article 50 invocation. But going from 9 MPs to a majority would be a political earthquake of a huge magnitude.

[OnDoutside]

12. And not going to happen, people still have memories of their treachery.

[mwooldri]

13. Aye that... Nick Clegg MP (Con) afaik. nt

[Blue_Tires]

16. Why does Corbyn still have a job again?

Anybody want to answer that??

[T_i_B]

18. Because of a bizarre personality cult

Which has caused a huge spike in Labour party membership, but struggles to move beyond internal party infighting.