On the Brink of Greatness or Disaster? The Leadership of Jeremy Corbyn
| Date | 01 December 2018 |
| DOI | 10.1177/2041905818815191 |
| Published date | 01 December 2018 |
12 POLITICAL INSIGHT • DECEMBER 2018
Jeremy Corbyn’s period as Labour
leader has re-opened some very old
party wounds. His policies, but more
importantly his party management,
have brought to mind some of the most
signicant clashes from Labour’s history –
the battles between the Bevanites and the
Gaitskellites for Labour’s soul in the 1940s
and 50s, or the running skirmishes between
the Bennites and the right of the party in the
1970s and early 80s. Both of these periods are
signicant because – as well as the hostility
and fracture within the party – they were
characterised by prolonged opposition.
‘Divided parties don’t win elections’ as
the saying goes. And there is no doubt that
Labour under Corbyn is divided. A quick
glance at the 2018 conference in Liverpool
demonstrates just how split the party is:
Brexit minister Keir Starmer apparently
The Leadership
of Jeremy Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership has been one of the most contentious
periods in Labour Party history. Despite claims of bullying and anti-
Semitism, the Labour leader’s personal support within the party is
extremely high. Victoria Honeyman assesses Corbyn’s time as leader
and considers his further prospects.
added extra, unauthorised, lines to his
speech, potentially committing the party
to a second referendum on Brexit. Deputy
Leader Tom Watson was not even given a
conference podium slot. At the same time,
party membership is incredibly strong, hitting
a high of 564,000 in 2018. So, what are we to
make of this tale of success and failure? Could
Corbyn be the leader to break the political
rule and win an election with a divided party?
Or will he eventually leave behind a party
potentially broken in two, with no ability to
defeat a Tory party that is itself battered and
bitterly divided?
Labour pains
While the Labour party has traditionally
On the Brink of
Greatness or Disaster?
Political Insight December 2018.indd 12 01/11/2018 09:02
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