Eileen Kersey writing out of Yorkshire, England

Open letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn's Article 50 position

29/1/2017

[The following is a response to a letter promoted by known anti Corbyn activists in the Labour Party.]

Open letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn's Article 50 position

There is an open letter doing the rounds on social media. It is supported by some grassroots Labour activists, campaigners, supporters and voters.

It calls on Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, to change his current position on Article 50.

This is how it begins and at this point it could be from this group also:

"We are all Labour Party members. We are from all corners of the UK, and have a range of backgrounds and ages. Some of us have been members for decades, and some of us have only recently joined. Some of us are frequent activists, and some of us have little time to be actively involved but support wherever we can. In short, we are the grassroots that you have always been keen to represent."

We start to go our separate ways with the next paragraph. Though of course we agree when they say:

"The membership of the Labour Party is not, and has never been, pro-Brexit. The party has a long history of supporting membership of the European Union. We had an official policy of supporting and campaigning for Remain during the referendum campaign."

Sadly we disagree from here.

This is our open letter:

This week two MPs resigned their positions citing Article 50 and Jeremy Corbyn's stance. There was no need for them to act in such a manner and at this time. The Labour Party are fighting two by elections scheduled for February 23 and both constituencies support BRexit.

Imagine the impact Labour Party BRexit divisions will have on these elections.

It was heartening to see Harriet Harman on a Sunday politics show say that she agrees with the party leader's stance even though she voted to remain in the EU and represents a BRemain constituency. It was equally heartening to hear my MP Alan Johnson make a similar statement Thursday.

Neither are Corbyn supporters but they respect democracy.

We may or may not like BRexit but we cannot simply throw a tantrum and disrespect democracy when it suits.

The Labour4EU account is tweeting to various journalists in the mainstream media and their story has already been published in the Guardian.

It is supported by Labour MP Ben Bradshaw who tweeted Saturday:
"Thanks to Exeter's Emma Brennan for initiating & all @UKLabour members for supporting this great #Article50 letter."

It looks increasingly likely that the group's actions are more about causing Labour Party divisions than Article 50. The main player is not a Corbyn supporter.

However Article 50 is a given. The Tory Party remains deeply divided over Brexit but too many people in the Labour Party are allowing the Tories a free ride on this issue.

Mrs May and her Tory government and party should be taking the heat right now. Instead a small group of self serving Labour Party Remainers are happily pushing bad press Labour's way.

We must let the Labour Party leader lead and trust in his team.

Jeremy Corbyn January 28, 2017:

"Labour campaigned in last year's referendum to remain in the European Union — and nearly two-thirds of Labour voters voted to remain.

As we all know, the result was a vote to leave.

We are not a party for the 48% or the 52%, but for everyone. We have an important role to play in bringing the country together and getting the best possible deal from Brexit.

Labour respects the will of the British people. But we do not respect the will of a Tory government that is threatening to relegate Britain to a bargain basement tax haven.

That's why we will vote to trigger Article 50 in the European Union Withdrawal Bill — but also will use every means at our disposal to make sure jobs, living standards, workers' rights and environmental protections are protected in the negotiations that follow.

So Labour has tabled a series of amendments to the Bill to ensure there is meaningful parliamentary scrutiny at every stage and a vote on the final deal.

We have also tabled an amendment to build in the broad principles we need to get the best outcome for our country — including tariff-free access to the single market and an anti-tax haven amendment to make sure the Prime Minister does not use Brexit as an excuse to duck out of tackling tax avoidance and evasion.

And we will support amendments to ensure the Tories don't yet again attack people's rights at work.

This is a difficult moment for our party. We campaigned to remain, but we have to accept the democratic result.

We will be reaching out to our friends and allies in the European socialist and progressive parties to help secure an agreement that strengthens cooperation and solidarity across Europe.

We must remember that what unites us is far stronger than what divides us: our commitment to defend our NHS, to campaign against the Tories' cuts to schools and social care — and our determination to build a country in which no one and no community is left behind.

We will vote for Article 50, but we will not be giving the Tories a blank cheque on their damaging agenda for Brexit — or any of their other failures.

Best wishes,

Jeremy Corbyn MP
Leader of the Labour Party"

Finally:

Those people behind the Open Letter against Brexit are anti Corbyn, have been from day one, and continue to be - particularly with reference to Ben Bradshaw and Jonathan Proctor

It is worth noting the people behind the open letter are encouraging email addresses are added perhaps for later use.

Please sign our open letter here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15We9eCI26_NlQRMKzbm7gvYU6w5TWJLedKveptKIMrY

7 Comments

Andrew Marr, Trump, Farage, Corbyn and Le Penn

13/11/2016

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Trump and Farage New York this weekend

Jeremy Corbyn and George Durack will attend ceremonies at the Cenotaph Sunday

Op-ed: It is Sunday November 13, 2016.

In the UK it is Remembrance Sunday. A day when parades and ceremonies remember those who died in WWI.

These days we also remember those who died in WWII and selective later wars.

Last year's Remembrance Sunday a fairly newly elected Labour Party, leader Jeremy Corbyn, was attacked by sections of the mainstream media.

Why?

Some claimed he did not bow his head low enough at the Cenotaph opting to ignore the fact that other attending politicians such as David Cameron quickly left for a VIP lunch while Mr Corbyn stayed on to watch the parade and chat with veterans.

This year Remembrance Sunday falls on the one-year anniversary of Bataclan.

Ninety people were massacred by terrorists at a packed rock concert in the Bataclan theatre November 13, 2015. Saturday night English singer-songwriter and former Police frontman Sting appeared at the Bataclan's first gig at the 150-year-old venue since the deadly terror attack.

But today BBC News has opted to invite extreme right-wing French politician Marine Le Penn to appear as a guest on the Andrew Marr show.

While many have condemned the timing of her appearance others have said today is the perfect day: that however may be too subtle for some.

There are protesters outside of the BBC building.

Le Penn has said there is a hair's breadth between her political party, the French National Front party and UKIP here in the UK.

UKIP has tried over many years to distance itself from the far right of politics but it is what it is.

Defending its decision to allow Le Penn prime political air time today the BBC has said it will be inviting all French political party leaders as that country gears up for national elections.

If Le Penn is elected President of France you can kiss goodbye to the EU and perhaps peace across Europe and beyond.

It says something that UKIP leader Nigel Farage met with US President elect Donald Trump in New York Saturday.

UKIP have been milking that meeting for all its worth stressing PM Theresa May is not due to meet Trump until next year.

For many in the UK Farage is a joke and not a very good one. Fox news however, another Murdoch based media outlet, is giving him airtime.

Remember Farage is not a UK MP as he lost the election he fought.

The Andrew Marr show has just kicked off and I am tuning in.

There will be one voice of sanity among the right-wing madness, that includes General Francis Richard Dannatt, Baron Dannatt, GCB, CBE, MC, DL a retired senior British Army Officer joining the paper review on Marr, and that is Jeremy Corbyn.

Dannatt touted Dan Jarvis MP as a future Labour leader, good guy and more. But Dannatt is a Tory. He worked for David Cameron 2009 to 2010. Dannatt thinks Jarvis is a good man but they are friends.

He touted Jarvis in front of Corbyn who was sat close by. Mr Corbyn's interview is early in the show as he has to leave for the Cenotaph. This year he is taking a friend, a war veteran with him, George Durack.

The west is taking a big lurch to the right and we face uncertain times.

We need people like Jeremy Corbyn in power and soon.

Corbyn is an honest and genuine person which is a rare commodity in politics old and new.

Andrew Marr tries the "Corbyn is London and out of touch approach" but it is you Andrew who does not live in real world.

2 Comments

Jeremy Corbyn faces vote of no confidence from party rebels

24/6/2016

3 Comments

Op-ed: It has been a fast moving morning in the UK.

The majority of voters chose LEAVE the European Union setting off a rollercoaster of events.

UK PM David Cameron announced early Friday he is stepping down and the Tory Party will unveil a new party leader at their October conference.

Mark Carney made a public announcement aimed at steadying markets.

Overnight as soon as referendum results started to come in the value of sterling plummeted. It has recovered slightly following Mr Carney's statement.

EU chief Claude Juncker has also issued a statement Friday saying there will be no renegotiation with the UK and the deal Cameron secured earlier in the year no longer stands.

He managed to anger pre remain and pro leave voters with more divisive rhetoric.

Juncker of course along with other EU leading lights will be shoring up defences. That will include giving the UK a hard time; they will not want other European Union countries getting LEAVE ideas.

But the latest news which was expected by many people within the Labour Party is two senior party members have tabled a motion for a vote of no confidence in party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The referendum was spearheaded by the Tories who received maximum mainstream media coverage throughout but Corbyn was always going to somehow be to blame.

Those with long knives and self-serving agendas were always going to strike at Corbyn once the EU referendum was done and dusted.

Those in the party often referred to as Bitterities, old new Labour followers, have backstabbed Corbyn from day one and have sunk to the depth of disloyalty time and time again.

Friday unpopular peer Peter Mandleson stuck the knife into Corbyn yet again. And two Tories Nicola Sturgeon and Tony Blair both said they felt sorry for David Cameron.

Alternatively Jeremy Corbyn did not comment on Cameron's resignation but vowed to carry on.

But they may have all underestimated the strength of support for Mr Corbyn from party members and activists.

If they manage to oust Jeremy Corbyn some will return to the Labour family and maybe even vote Labour but it may not balance out those who will turn their backs on the party.

With fewer activists and funds Labour will be in a state of heaven knows what.

Previously touted to replace Mr Corbyn are Dan Jarvis, Chuka Umunna and John McDonnell with people auch as John Mann and Tristam Hunt possibly in the mix.

But all of the current alternatives to Mr Corbyn are old new Labour and people have moved on.

Voters need a united Labour Party more than ever and they need a decent person like Jeremy Corbyn at the helm.

The Blair years are gone thankfully.

More:
Anne Coffey and Margaret Hodge http://news.sky.com/story/1717003/corbyn-no-confidence-motion-in-labour-leader clueless
http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/24/mps-table-corbyn-no-confidence-motion-5964796/
http://www.newtekjournalismukworld.com/eileen-kersey/lord-mandelson-sticks-the-knife-in-labour-again

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Jeremy Corbyn makes his case for Britain staying in EU

2/6/2016

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[Note the above footage is from one month ago today's footage will be added at the end of the report once it is available online]

Opinion: Thursday Jeremy Corbyn was speaking in London as part of Labour's campaign to stay in the EU.

For voters who have only watched carefully selected negative news clips of Mr Corbyn speaking I hope they tuned in today.

Jeremy showed why more and more people support him and why the right-wing of all political parties including Labour opt to undermine him.

He has consistently refused to share an in or out EU referendum platform with David Cameron and rightly so.

Sadiq Khan and David Cameron stood side by side earlier this week with a desperate Cameron giving the camera a thumbs up and stressing Sadiq is the son of a bus driver but it was cringeworthily.

Similar images of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, former lib dem leader paddy Ashdown and Cameron were equally sickening.

David Cameron will shamelessly use any person to further his aims but then drop them like a hot potato once he has fulfilled his aims.

Those saying Khan was right to campaign cross party forget that he is sitting pretty post the London Mayor election while for Mr Corbyn and his supporters it is still all to play for.

Tonight Cameron is appearing on mainstream TV to make his case for the UK staying in the EU but it is a different case to Mr Corbyn's.

The Tory BRemain and BRexit campaigns are based on fear, greed and maintaining the status quo. Fat-cats will be supported either way unless we secure a change of government.

So Thursday Mr Corbyn laid out his vision of a reformed EU:

one that does not allow the people of a country like Greece to bleed to death
one that only allows TTIP if certain conditions are met because as Mr Corbyn said if the current deal is not good enough for France it is not good enough for the UK
a country that with a Labour government in charge renationalises our rail systems
an EU that is greatly reformed

and more.

BBC News key points are:

Leader Jeremy Corbyn is making a speech on Labour's case for staying in the EU
The GMB union's leader warns Remain could lose if Labour voters do not get more engaged
Vote Leave say young people will find it harder to get on the housing ladder if UK stays in EU
The UK's EU referendum takes place on 23 June
Midnight on 7 June is the final registration deadline for both UK and overseas voters

While the Telegraph key points included:

Corbyn: TTIP could create 'irreversible' privatisation in NHS
Corbyn blames press for Labour voters not knowing party's EU stance
Corbyn attacks George Osborne over 'histrionic' Brexit warnings

If you are thinking that the Labour party has not made its case for remaining in the UK clear think again.

Corbyn has spoken with people across the EU such as Francois Hollande, France, and Alexis Tsipras, Greece, before stating his well-thought out opinion.

It is not a self-serving opinion but it does in part rely on a change of UK government.

Doubts about how much reform the EU will accept remain but it must change or die.

The gravy train must be derailed.

Labour's better in the EU campaign has been ongoing for months but the msm prefer to concentrate on David Cameron and Boris Johnson and their sidekicks.

Blame them if you rely on getting your news from those sources.

But there is a wealth of information out there easily found with little effort.

This morning's post speech question and answer session was still underway when mainstream TV news channels BBC24 and Sky News cut to their political analysts.

First question went to a Sky News reporter and second to the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg who added a touch of pantomime. To be fair it was not Laura's fault but the reaction of the audience who hissed as her name was mentioned but quietened at Corbyn's request.

The Tory mouthpiece Guido Fawkes opted for "the crowd booed and hissed" but it was a steady hiss.

Once those two questions were answered coverage ended.

[All leading players are now in overdrive with reports that the campaign for the UK to leave the EU is gaining ground]

BBC coverage
Live: EU referendum: Jeremy Corbyn smiles as Labour supporters boo BBC's Laura Kuenssberg

Thursday afternoon Labour members received the following email from team Corbyn and the Labour in campaign:

Today I spoke about why we established the Labour IN campaign. We have a distinct agenda — a vision to make Britain better and fairer for everyone, by engaging with our neighbours in Europe. I wanted to share this message with you, and I hope you'll vote to Remain on 23 June.

One of the most important things I spoke about this morning was simply this — your rights at work.

Through the social chapter and other directives, Europe has delivered us:
Over 26 million workers in Britain benefit from being entitled to 28 days of paid leave and a limit to how many hours they can be forced to work;
Over eight million part-time workers (over six million of whom are women) have equal rights with full-time colleagues;
Over one million temporary workers have the same rights as permanent workers;
340,000 women every year have guaranteed rights to take maternity leave.
We can't rely on the Tory Government to defend workplace rights. Leave supporters have stated they want to water down workers' rights and rip up protections against discrimination, exploitation and injustice. The next Labour government will work with our allies to strengthen workers' rights, and stop migrant workers being exploited and local workers being undercut.

We are overwhelmingly for remain, because we believe the European Union has brought investment, jobs and protection for workers, consumers and the environment.

But also because our membership offers a crucial route to meeting the challenges we face in the 21st century, on climate change, on restraining the power of global corporations and ensuring they pay fair taxes, on tackling cyber-crime and terrorism, on ensuring trade is fair with protections for workers and consumers and in addressing refugee movements.

Britain will be stronger if we co-operate with our neighbours in facing those challenges together.

Please show your support for Labour IN for Britain. Together we can share a strong Labour message of a better, fairer Britain, as part of a better, fairer Europe:

Let your friends know you're part of the #InCrowd with me

Thank you for being such an important part of this campaign.

Jeremy Corbyn
Leader of the Labour Party

PS — We're proud that our campaigns are funded by thousands of small donations from people like you. So many of you have already donated to Labour IN for Britain because you're passionate about staying in Europe. Thank you

If you're able to contribute, we'd be grateful for your support.

Donate

The above clip is from RT as BBC on youtube simply offers footage of Laura Kuennsberg's post speech question. The RT clip is brief and will be replaced when lengthier footage is located.

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Jeremy Corbyn headline news after Andrew Marr show

17/1/2016

0 Comments

Opinion: BBC news 6pm Sunday and Jeremy Corbyn is the main headline news after appearing on the Andrew Marr show earlier in the day.

Forget other main news the Beeb's news running order was Mr Corbyn, the Iran nuclear deal, the US freed hostages, a UK murder, conservation zones in British seas and a South American volcano erupting with perhaps another story but no mention of the expected hundreds of job losses at Tata steel announced earlier today or the 400 Syrians kidnapped by Daesh with many feared executed.

The Corbyn news related to his words on Labour's expected review into Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent; a review which will decide whether Labour Party policy will favour renewal, amendments or scrapping Trident.

But perhaps Mr Corbyn warranted BBC News' headlines after he said he thought striking in sympathy of other strikers was OK.

There will be some in Labour who will hold their hands up in horror at that view but they should remember it was Tory Margaret Thatcher that banned such action taking place more than 20 years ago.

Scaremongering followed Corbyn's outing on Marr yet the next general election is still more than four years away and the new Labour leadership and shadow cabinet are still settling into roles.

There is a long way to go.

Union bosses involved in Trident want to maintain the status quo to keep jobs but if Trident is not fit for purpose it could be a costly white elephant.

Mr Corbyn has been headline news almost daily since he became party leader in September 2015 unlike new Liberal Democrat party leader Tim Farron who is treat like the invisible man.

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Jeremy Corbyn new bike crowdfunder update

17/1/2016

1 Comment

Less than a week ago a group of supporters of Jeremy Corbyn decided on a plan of action after he was slated in some sections of the mainstream media for saying his dream bike was a £475 model.

As we wrote, when a crowdfunder was organised, January 13 "Left wing group quickly raise £1,000 plus to get Jeremy Corbyn his dream bicycle" but the event caught on and Sunday January 17 the total now stands at £5,922.

Various mainstream media outlets are reporting Sunday that Mr Corbyn has said he will donate the money to charity but his supporters would not have expected less.

The push to raise money was titled "Let's get Jez his dream bike!" and was always more about pledging support for the man, sticking two fingers up to the right of politics and Corbyn attackers plus right-wing biased sections of the media and of course making a point.

The crowdfunding event update reports:

On the 13th of January Helena Horton of the Telegraph attempted the rags most pathetic smear of Jeremy Corbyn to date, suggesting the Labour leader was being frivolous in his desire to one day own a Raleigh Criterium bicycle, valued at £475.

With Eric Pickles having spent half a million quid at the taxpayers expense, it seems that Jezza's desire for eco-friendly transport at 1000th of that cost is not unreasonable.

[Tory Eric Pickles £500,000 luxury limo spend 2014]

Especially because he would most likely buy it out of his own pocket, when considering he is the lowest expenses claimant in the commons. I propose we make his dreams come true, by crowd funding his bicycle in time for his birthday in May. I will stick a quid in and all we need is 474 other people to do the same, in order to put a smile on Jez's face, but primarily it will really annoy the Telegraph, the Mail, the Sun, the Tories, UKIP ect. It will definitely be funny!

* This is actually going really fast, so if this project exceeds the £475, I am sure it won't be difficult to find out a charity that Jez would like the excess donated to. So please don't be dissuaded to donate if the target has been reached. Great support and solidarity from all involved so far!

* Just a little update. I have contacted Jeremy Corbyn's office to find out the causes he would like funds donated to and I am awaiting response. In order to maintain momentum with this, I am provisionally suggesting that excess funds be donated to Calais Action; a charity I am aware that our Jezza has already displayed support for.

I was recently in Calais and Dunkirk with Calais Action, and the situation particularly in Dunkirk is pretty grim. People are sleeping in tents that are submerged in inches of water. It is cold, wet, muddy and rat infested and the dropping temperature is going to be extremely problematic. There are no major NGO's out there and all of those providing aid are volunteers, who are not taking a wage and are willing to live of essentially rice and vegetables. Despite all of this spirits are high and people are still smiling, but donations are needed desperately.

We all know that the refugee crisis was the story of the Summer, however as media coverage has become more diffuse so have donations, yet the need is still extremely prevalent.

Also, giving aid to refugees abroad is a perfect way to stick it to the right wing press again, because we all know how compassionately they have treated this humanitarian crisis.

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Open letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn's Article 50 position

Andrew Marr, Trump, Farage, Corbyn and Le Penn

Jeremy Corbyn faces vote of no confidence from party rebels

Jeremy Corbyn makes his case for Britain staying in EU

Jeremy Corbyn headline news after Andrew Marr show

Jeremy Corbyn new bike crowdfunder update

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