3 Dec 2015

Jeremy Corbyn critics throwing boulders

David Cameron has been trying to downplay any expectations of early breakthroughs in Syria.

Michael Fallon reminded people that the US suggested the engagement in Iraq was a 3 year operation which was one year in.

Back around Westminster you bump into Shadow Cabinet rebels licking their wounds. They’ve taken to calling themselves “The 66” with some pride (no t-shirts printed yet), but they’ve no idea what happens next in Labour’s saga.

They rubbish the idea of an imminent coup attempt but then some say “who knows?” when you ask what might happen if Labour loses Oldham, or the May elections go exceptionally badly.

To those who’ve followed Hilary Benn over the years it takes some getting used to the idea of him as a peace movement hate figure or as a jaw-jutting champion of oppressed Labour moderates.

For years his reputation has been more that of a principled, kindly politician who, presented with a political choice, would tend to split the difference.

Last night Mr Benn spoke with emotion and coherence in a charged environment. That’s a big part of his newly lionised status.

But the biggest appeal of his speech is also its greatest hostage to fortune. He invested the Syrian military attacks with high principle, making backers of the action feel better about themselves. But the high moral ground in Syria is a slippery mound. In its own advocates’ best case scenario it will end with Syrian regime troops retaking towns it has lost.

One Tory MP reported that Hilary Benn’s progress through the “ayes” voting lobby last night was a sight to behold. He was greeted by Labour and Conservative MPs as a conquering hero. He was kissed, cheered and one prominent Labour MP was heard to shout “Hilary in 2016.”

I asked one of “The 66” who sits in the Shadow Cabinet where things would go next. He insisted last night was not some kind of attempted coup as some Corbynistas have labelled it.

It was an argument that events threw up where people felt they needed to make a stand. “All we can do,” the Shadow Cabinet member said, is “keep throwing boulders in the bog until one of them breaks the surface” … a stepping stone to a Corbyn-free future.

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