Honesty, decency and sincerity are not the makings of a modern-day politician. Corbyn’s struggle is telling of the filthy business our politics has become
Debates between David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn functioned as a roast of the Labour leader. This isn’t unusual. With all the hostility and personal digs it’s incredible the country has survived this long. I’m far from a fan of Cameron but even I have to admit PMQs has been hilarious. But five minutes into an exchange between the PM and the opposition leader and the difference between the two is quite obvious.
Bland Left vs. Mad Right
Over the years David Cameron constantly mocked Jeremy Corbyn. From his bow to his tie, while Corbyn steadily focused on the issues. Critics accuse him of aloofness, of having an image problem, of failing to prove himself as a leader. All of these are legitimate complaints to one degree or another. Jeremy Corbyn’s isn’t suited to the modern political climate. Particularly in light of the fresh hell Donald Trump has unleashed.
Donald J. Trump, billionaire, reality star, mostly-shaven orangutan provides a diametric opposite to Jeremy Corbyn. His extreme right-wing views aren’t even the half of it. Trump is brash, loud, obnoxious and seeks the spotlight at every opportunity. Concerning his ‘policies’, in practice, they would be enough to bring the world economy to its knees. Yet, shortly after the party conventions, polling shows he is pulling far ahead of Hillary Clinton. Inexplicably, Trump’s bullish stupidity, fearmongering rhetoric, and probably sentient hairpiece, have convinced people to vote against their own best interests. It’s the oldest trick in politics, and it’s working better than ever.
If the American people had to choose a candidate based on policy, they would have overwhelmingly chosen Bernie Sanders. A battle between Cameron’s policies and Corbyn’s policies wouldn’t be so clear-cut. But it stands to reason that without the political rhetoric the majority would vote in their best interests.
Basically, we need people like Jeremy Corbyn. He stands for things we sorely need in this country. More important than that however, is what he represents. He represents an era in which politics wasn’t a version of The Apprentice for people who are fundamentally devoid of human empathy.
Who should lead Labour?
Do we keep Jeremy Corbyn and hope he ups his PR game? Can we bet our futures on a man trying to figure out how to deal with social interaction? An injection of charisma would undoubtedly save the flailing Labour leader, but we can’t risk it all on that.
That’s not to say that challenger Owen Smith is any better. Certainly his demeanour is more likeable (in that wholly insincere kind of way). His policy proposals thus far, the wealth tax for instance, have been stellar. The problem is that he represents exactly what Hillary Clinton represents across the pond. A calculating politician. He has received criticism for copying Jeremy Corbyn. Likewise, Hillary Clinton swerved to the political left in her contest with Bernie Sanders.
If Clinton keeps shape-shifting at this rate she’ll earn a place in the next Star Trek. Owen Smith is a politician. And the social baggage that word carries speaks volumes.
So what’s to come? Corbyn stays and the left remains in the shadows in 2020 and beyond? Or do we elect another slippery politician whose type has been plaguing us for so long?
Possibly there is no right answer, but I know I’d rather be led by a scruffy man of conviction than John Carpenter’s The Thing.
Image: http://www.annachen.co.uk/page/2/
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Benjamin Nunn
Benjamin Nunn is a graduate of King's College London. Never without purpose Ben has been writing fiction, screenplays, comic books, and articles for most of his life. In his most recent outings his has made efforts to tackle the most pressing subjects of the day with the interests of the powerless at heart.
