Now that the Labour party membership has taken a lurch to the left and elected Jeremy Corbyn as leader, should the party now split into left and centre-left factions, with the centre-left joining with what's left of the centre-left Liberal Democrats to form a new centre-left party? Would such a new party be viable? Would a new centre-left Lib/Dem/Lab party have any chance of defeating the Tories in 5 years?
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On the face of it this would seem like a good idea, but do you remember the SDP? They did exactly that 30 years ago, and that's why the Lib Dems are the Lib Dems and not just the Liberals as they used to be. Left-wing voters still voted Labour anyway and the SDP soon died by merger, except for a tiny faction led by David Owen.
So on past experience, I would suggest that it's a waste of time even trying that again. And that was when Labour had lurched even further to the left than Corbyn is likely to take it.
Meanwhile, even leaving aside the registered supporters, 49%+ of the actual Labour membership voted for Corbyn. Clearly this is what they want - actual socialism and no more Tory-lite.
Steven
Your analysis is just plain wrong.
The MPs have been on the right of the party and are unrepresentative of the party as a whole. All that has happened, is an actual representative of the party managed to win a one person one vote election, unlike in the past. Up until now the Nulabour party has been conservative light blue, the people have finally an actual democratic vote.
No, the last Nulabour party tried to hug the centre right ground, but lost out to the tories. IF you've listened to Corbyn ALL his speeches have come straight from the centre left playbook.
Anonymous
Considering the Conservatives under David Cameron are no different to Tony Blair's New Labour party it would make sense for disgruntled Blairites to jump ship and join the Tories. This would make more sense than joining a dying party like the Liberal Democrats.
Cacoethes Scribendi
Yes, if significant enough Labour members joined.
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No. bite my buttox