Jeremy Corbyn: Tony Blair But Better

Much, much better. For one, he has a conscience.

I would like to imagine he said, "I got you, boo" at this moment

The Bernie Sanders of Britain. Labour's Karl Marx. Socialist Obama. All these are a few nicknames I came up with just now, but are inspired by the things I've seen people say about Corbyn. I would have to disagree with the Marx comparison- he was merely an economist- but the other two are more accurate in ways. The former being Corbyn became the left-wing's glimmer of hope in a sea thick with coal and oil; the latter that he has become somewhat a celebrity figure whilst promising change, winning the leadership with 59.5% of the vote, "stunning" the party as the Daily Fail puts it.

He was dubbed the favourite and yet, not the most popular. He is a good talker, yes, but not in the smooth, calculated manner that top politicians such as Cameron speak in. Corbyn seemed too radical, practically communist. He was too normal, serving as a backbencher for decades, never attending university, coming from a middle class background, and fashionably disheveled with a beard and no tie. He seemed genuine, real and truly wanted change that was fair and humane. That was the risk.

After Blair's leadership ended and blended into Brown's short but sour term, it was decided that Labour would have to keep its New image- pragmatic, centrist and overall a 'Tory Lite'- the party for voters who liked some Conservative values and watched Sky TV, but didn't appreciate all the people claiming benefits because they'd been laid off. When Labour suffered an atrocious loss in the 2015 elections, it was practically set in stone that straying from the plan of appealing to the right-wing press and not being too left was the plan from now on (sorry Ed). Yet, here we are, despite the pleas and cautions of Blairites and Blair alike. Corbyn leads a new era of Labour. A kind of Ex-New Labour.

 

"And now... back to this bitch that had a lot to say about me in the press the other day. Tony, what's good?"

I believe a combination of the need for hope to grapple onto, and the desire for a celebrity politician after Miliband led to the rise of Corbyn. Originally ignored by the press, by August his name was making headlines. He was a threat. People were scared. The press came for his family, his past and his appearance now. But this didn't deter supporters, inspired by Obama's Yes We Can, "Jez We Can!" was everywhere seen and heard he went. Preaching to the converted, perhaps, but it was enough to secure leadership- by a legendary landslide.

We have lots to look forward to, assuming Corbyn continues as the conscientious socialist he has for the past few decades. Personally, I'm looking forward to the Prime Minister's questions, and see Gove shake in his boots. Next, watch the Blairites resign and either join the Conservatives (perhaps UKIP) or form a new party altogether. And when it comes to 2020, we can sit back and watch Britain burn.

I, and many other disillusioned lefties, have put hope in Corbyn. I sincerely pray he doesn't become Gordon Brown Jr., or Obama UK.
Good luck...