BY BEN KERRIGAN
New Labor leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has started the house of Parliament question time in a rather unconventional style, insisting on a less theatrical opening than what Prime Minister, David Cameron is used to. The 66 year old leader, whose election to power was initially marred by several warnings not to vote him in from highly placed politicians and former politicians including Tony Blair, delivered a calm, impressive and articulate Parliamentary question time.
Corbyn was always a favorite to win the seat for the leadership position despite the fierce opposition he faced in terms of the prediction that his leadership will make the party none electable whilst he is in power. That verdict may still be true because up until today , he looked like an election looser, and his peaceful stance on the world that excludes armies is no winner in the reality of today’s war torn world.
However, the former Anti Apartheid campaigner said he had asked 100 members of the public for questions he would like the Prime Minister asked, and he presented those to David Cameron yesterday with great poise and dignity. The tactic smartly used of asking questions from members of the public, particularly women , showed him a clever man with more under his sleeves than he is credited for. Questions from Marie, Claire etc about tax credit cuts and house shortages presented Corbyn as a voice for the people, and a man who had suddenly transformed the normally noisy Parliament of naughty school boys into a disciplined house where serious matters are raised with a demand for serious answers. Only a few days ago, a few weeks back, we were being told that his election would be a disaster for the country, leaving the Conservative Party with an easy ride and no credible opposition. There were even rumors that some Conservative members might have endorsed his rocky campaign to secure an easy opponent that would indefinitely rule Labor out of winning any election, with the next two elections doomed to failure for the opposition.
Yet, on only the first showing in Parliament, his mature and intelligent approach reflected his vast experience in Parliament- he looked a real veteran in the manner he dealt with this engagement. A democratic socialist, Corbyn who has always advocated the re-nationalization of public utilities and railways, abolishing of University school fees, and a unilateral policy of nuclear disarmament, he joined the Labor party in 1983 and has long been sponsored by several trade Unions because of his powerful inclination to taking up people’s battles and fighting for them. A member of the Socialist Campaign group, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Amnesty International, this man is a world peace maker but legitimate questions remain as to how practical his principles on peace are for national security. He has also expressed a desire in the past to abolish the Monarchy, a position that surely will not sit well with many of the political elites, though one the public might be willing to trade for the eradication of a bunch of politicians who say just about anything just to be elected, only to backtrack once in power.
POLITICAL ACTIVIST
A renowned political activist known for his work on behalf of the Guildford four and The Birmingham six, wrongfully convicted for carrying out a series of bombings by the IRA in England in the mid 70’s that killed 28 people, Corbyn’s track record makes him one of the most genuine of politician’s today. During the scandal of 2009, he emerged as having claimed the lowest amount of expenses of any MP, and also claimed the lowest amount of all 65O MP’s the year after in 2010. He has always opposed war and is on record for opposing the Iraq war in 2003, after being elected to the steering Committee of the ‘Stop the War Coalition’ in 2001. He also organize the biggest anti-war rally in British history last February. He currently ticks the boxes when it comes to peace, and integrity, but can also be seen as one who could leave Britain vulnerable to attack by his ultra peaceful proclivities.
