Conservatives look to be a shower

I genuinely don't know because, if you ask them what their experience of the consequences of socialist policies is, confusion quickly sets in. Until, that is, you ask them how often they've used the NHS, or point out that one of the reasons their experience with the dentist is such an expensive one, is that the principles of socialism were overturned by Thatcher, who effectively privatised it. Unfortunately, the current iteration of the Labour Party has given up the argument.

I don't know how the party seeks to justify re-nationalisation of public transport, but not the provision of an essential commodity like water. Until that is, you appreciate that the the report on which the decision is based, was paid for by the water companies. Perhaps I'm doing the Labour Party a disservice and maybe the decision was taken solely by the Environment Secretary who was recently treated to £1700 worth of hospitality, paid for by a water company, it's so difficult to tell these days since what you or I may call blatant in-your-face corruption seems to be considered a perk of the job by the political classes.

I'd tend to agree with reference to Michael Foot however I don't fall for the myths and hysteria perpetuated by the right-wing press about Corbyn's politics. He believed in comprehensive social welfare with the emphasis placed on publicly provided social services and investment in child care, education and research among others, that are funded by progressive taxation, emphasis on progressive. He was also a proponent of strong labour market institutions with active labour unions and employer associations which allow for significant collective bargaining, wage negotiations and coordination besides an active role in governance and policy.

What I've just described is generally recognised as Scandinavian style Social Democracy. I'm not sure anyone would use the word socialist as a derogatory term to describe Sweden or Norway. Prosperous maybe, but definitely not socialist. In comparison to some of the wingnuts who have left this country in its present state after 14 years of Tory rule, Corbyn looks like the voice of reason.

As Labour found in the past and the Tories are about to, their method of choosing a party leader is flawed. It's fine in principle to give party members the final say but, in practice, the leader has a hopeless task if he/she doesn't command the support of the majority of MPs. Using the party members to pick a final 2 and giving the MPs the final vote gives the illusion that the winner has support in parliament.

Party members are just about the worst people to judge who might bring in neutrals at a general election because they are so sure that their view is the only truth that they are incapable of seeing other viewpoints. Most MPs are pragmatic enough to realise that an unelectable party leader will see many of them on the dole.