There’s a lot of sense in what you say, John, and he was widely disliked in the North it’s true. I’m not convinced that his socialist policies were unpopular, there were lots of Labour politicians in the North who champion radical left wing policies as an antidote to Tory casino-Capitslism, but Corbyn was not seen as capable of delivering on them.
I have a feeling that his main handicap was his working class London accent, his London home and constituency, and his concern for immigrant minorities, especially BAMEs. He had no local Northern ‘cred’ of the muck-and-brass kind.
Blair did, because he was a clever con-man with a gift for shape-shifting to match his environment. And he had ‘glamour’ on his side.
But it was John Major who negotiated with the IRA and brought about a peace that the present lot seem ready to carelessly throw away.
Regardless of party affiliation, I admired him for his open mindedness and courage. The only thing I couldn’t forgive was that he was the first PM that was younger than me!
There no doubt will be a number of apologists for Corbyn’s leadership debacle but in essence, the British people of whatever “ class “ just have an innate distaste for extremism & Corbyn was the would-be wrecker of our accepted social mores. He was quite simply disliked because of his unacceptable sympathies both national & international.
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How do you equate the huge win for the Tories with Brits having an innate distaste for extremism?
BoJo and his ilk were on the extreme right of the Tory Party and his Cabinet now reflects that.
I had hoped that this time the Lib Dems would have done better, but they always seem to have a death wish.
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I was just writing a very similar reply, but you beat me to it!
I should be more succinct in future…
How do you align that view with the post-war radical socialist over-throw of Winston Churchill’s Conservative Party and the “accepted social mores” of pre-war Tory Britain?
Perhaps you don’t recall it 
Mike, I have no issue with those politicians who had to sit uncomfortably with the IRA scum to negotiate an end to terrorism. Corbyn actually SYMPATHISED with their “ cause “ to force a United Ireland. That’s a very distinctive difference. And many patriotic Labour voters, like myself, despised him for doing so.
Agree with everything you say - Starmer was available to take the reins well over a year ago and, in my opinion, would have given Johnson a realistic run for his money in the General Election. Unfortunately there were and still are small minded Corbynites who were hoping to march, red flag flying, fists raised, buttocks clenched into a brave new socialism with Jeremy carried high on their shoulders.
Enablers of the worst kind who sold out their countries future for a 1950s ‘Aldermaston March’ mentality with open arms to their ‘brothers’ in the IRA and any rag tag Psuedo people’s trotsky cause. Small ‘t’.
They are the ones who let Johnson and his cronies walk into Westminster unchallenged - but like all idealogues they continue to blame everyone else but themselves.
Apologies Peter this response was for intended for Rathcoole.
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Surely one can sympathise with a cause without condoning the actions taken to further that cause?
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Must say @Dan_Wood it’s a nice surprise to see your new icon with gallivanting corkscrews in scarlet and cream kimonos (or some such) and with exuberant “end of lock-down” fettle in these dreary times. More power to your painterly elbow! 
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Many Irish people see Ulster as part of their Island, still occupied by a foreign power after 400 years.
As a pacifist, I don’t like the methods of the IRA, but it seems that the English and the UVF have been just as bad, or worse -
Note: That is the BELFAST Telegraph.
My own view is that a united Ireland would be a good idea and it seems likely that, as a result of the mess that Brexit will inevitably create, the people of the North could well make that choice for themselves.
You may see things differently. One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.
OK, substitute sympathise for SUPPORT. Probably more accurate given his Republican tendencies.
I’d always support the Free will of the people - democracy. But don’t kid yourself, Erin Government isn’t THAT keen on changing the status quo with paramilitaries still capable of creating chaos - in the South!
I don’t think I kid myself, but Ulster will be robbed of their status as Europeans, against their will. Could be their only chance to remain in the EU. There is a very compelling case for that.
Divided islands have never worked well and still don’t.
Was sad that Brexit happened. Saw the European citizenship as a kind of common denominator for Ireland’s divided nationalities. The NI folk probably felt likewise given their vote against leaving. But, given that the province is part of the UK, & hard- line Loyalists will insist that the Gov. abides by the the majority decision, I’m convinced that the EU option is a non- starter now.
Well @Dan_Wood you really captured it, I think it is phenomenal, for me it is even more exuberant than the ‘still’ camera shot, but if course a photo doesn’t carry the movement or the music.
I imagine your vigneron friend was thrilled with his gift. What a splendid gift too 
Edited to say I hadn’t noticed it was a video clip! The whole event is replicated in your design.
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Perhaps you have not noticed Peter, but times have changed since the end of the Second World War, just like they did after the First War.
The only thing that does not seem to have changed is the extreme gullibility of the voting British public. If anyone tells them how it really is they get voted out or stay out.
By the way I was two in 1949 and I think you are probably about ten years older then me, so you cannot have had much influence on the outcome.
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Golly gum-drops, Jane, I would never have thought you were that old! Still going and kicking high, eh? 
But I don’t claim now and have never claimed to have influenced the outcome of the 1945 election, although I may have tugged at my father’s trouser leg and piped “Daddy, if you care about my future you must vote Communist. You always read me the Red Dean’s " Socialist Sixth of the World” at bedtime instead of the capitalist myth “Rupert Bear and The Blue Bicycle”.
But I beg to differ about the supposed gullibility of demobbed servicemen and women in 1945, or the civilians who supported the war effort, men and emancipated women too. Gullible they weren’t Jane. Highly politically informed they were, and so was I. I’ve always been a highly precocious little prick, still am. 
We’ll have to disagree on that point, but if you’re a Tory, you’re my kind of Tory. We both despise Blojo and his pretensions. He’s over a quarter century younger than me, and young enough for you to have wiped his nose with the corner of your apron. 
BTW the use of Golly and Golly Gosh predate the slur cast on the innocent - wog of the same attribution. Like most war-time kiddies I loved mine, he was so bright and optimistic, with proper arms and legs, unlike Teddy whose limbs were just unresponsive stubs that hardly wiggled.
I loved the Golliwog’s Cakewalk at the funfair, and make no apologies for uttering his endearing name. 
My word, Peter… we have something in common… golly and golly-gosh form part of my repertoire too… 
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