Introduction: Corbynism and its Aftermath

IN THE SUMMER OF 2015, all but one of Labour's leadership hopefuls committed to ‘austerity’: that blend cuts public spending and tax increases might more accurately be labelled ‘Osbornomics’. The contrast between Jeremy Corbyn the other candidates competing take place Ed Miliband was sharp. Corbyn, until then a relatively unknown MP who had spent his entire career fighting for lost causes on back benches, been vocal critic Blair. New Labour, its part, successfully hegemonised Labour Party: style, personnel ‘realist’ outlook persisting even after five years under left-leaning Miliband, fact preference ‘balanced budgets’ held by testified to. Often seen as deeply principled politician, it is fair suggest context caught up with rather than way around. In wake financial crisis long after-effects, persistence style content defining idioms politics looking increasingly anachronistic 2015. Many economic experts declared era fiscal conservatism over. 2014, Thomas Piketty's Capital in Twenty-First Century—with robust denunciation inherently inegalitarian tendencies advanced capitalism—was well received far beyond fringes radical left. If anything needs explaining such context, it's not why emerged popular figure, no member professional political class sheer ambition or imagination grasp moment, presenting themselves post-austerity leader times. One possible explanation uncertainty about exactly coalition now should be, decades dramatic social change. A common, though always tendentious, interpretation this dilemma sees voter-coalition divided socially conservative fiscally liberal group traditional voters located towns, base cities. Attracting crowds along spectacular campaign trails, from Mansfield Manchester, initially appeared capable speaking both camps. shock election result 2017 surpassed what admirers hoped for. Yet, end 2019 general year chilling experience activists, reflected party members’ Sir Keir Starmer over Corbynite candidate, Rebecca Long-Bailey. Why has proven so difficult, date, discussion Corbynism phenomenon go either uncritical adulation advocates, incurious dismissal critics? answer must lie very deep divisions left right Party 1980s have never really overcome, some extent were only exacerbated period internal hegemony. These differences, became apparent during Corbyn's leadership, are merely questions individuals occupying different points continuum opinion, centre left, Rather, they involve fundamental epistemological analytical disagreements core happened Britain since 1970s, forms knowledge issue considered legitimate, intervention may possible. As Eric Shaw out book Blair's party, created through construction stark supposedly ‘older’ left-wing Labourism. ‘Old Labour’ was, according these critics, ‘spent force irretrievably bound stockpile ill-conceived, irrelevant, dogma-driven damaging polices’.11 E. Shaw, Losing Soul?: Blair Government 1997–2007, Abingdon, Routledge, 2012, p. 151. Philip Gould played vital role making narrative. provided insights into views swing that, turn, selective briefing press, printed findings research uncritically (no mention ever made, example, voters’ persistent support ‘old’ policy nationalisation).22 D. Wring, ‘Focus follies? Qualitative British strategy’, Journal Political Marketing, vol 4, no. 5, 2007, pp. 71–97. This apparently ‘post-ideological’ approach hard dismiss, accompanying language. woman focus told ‘When I child there wardrobe my bedroom. scared night, blackness, monster would emerge. That how think Party.’33 Soul?, 153. minds many MPs ‘old stood forging versus ‘new’ consensus—in which Britain's news media an essential part—meant powerful army assembled against moment candidature announced. often not, commentary ‘centrist’ mainstream demonstrated capacity see agenda any rational terms. Inadvertently, shunning ‘establishment’ institutions lent underdog populist quality campaigns, giving them vitality attracting fan-like following. Both sides battle Party, fierce opposition largely necessity, thus dug trenches still further progressive England Wales remains currently immobilised. special represents attempt overcome impasse. No doubt, few differences will settled here. editing collection essays we sought foster debate. Several certainly stand at odds, particularly those offered Eunice Goes, Steven Fielding Phil Burton-Cartledge concerning Starmer. For Goes Fielding, criticism lacks combativeness misguided; rather, first task clear away dead wood order, however, arrive similar outcomes end. cautious. him, runs risk losing metropolitan base, whose affective labour make predisposed issues weak on. vein, Gilbert also Starmer's current strategy unlikely resolve problems proceeding gap members supporters assumptions shared most MPs. His essay examines various explanations unremitting hostility towards relative historic success election. contribution, unpicks ways anti-semitism key undermined management ‘hopelessly polarised’. considers same themes angle. Tim Bale provides original data members, outlining distinctions win point made times before, especially where subtext policies, yet reality, posing campaigners offer answers. Bassett Mills research, showing their isolation closest allies editors outlets Twitter, comparing movement People's Vote. Their argument helps explain distinct strategies contexts. Jonathan Dean Bice Maiguashca show feminism cross cut factionalism. argues for, example of, reflexivity part activists. Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaite hones initial desire, articulated re-open coal mines, degree masculine figure miner continues resonate politics. reminds us confirmed narrative, arguably he remained trapped. distance John McDonnell travelled commitments quite indeed, road ahead—paved futurist sounding slogans like ‘socialism iPad’ free broadband—was unmapped. But Sutcliffe-Braithwaite's analysis suggests, journey too slow get started. Christine Berry Patrick Diamond's tempers near-hysterical plans government (see, baseless claims press former Soviet agent primary intention bankrupting Britain). Diamond shows alignment McDonnell's flurry ideas response depression 1930s. crises produced intellectual outpouring ridden. challenges sensationalist interpretations hostile media, view authentic tribune socialism. ‘Social democracy’, makes clear, accurate description period. Taking step further, identifies democratising, localist mixed-economy spirit movement, even, she outlines, unrealised. presents eloquent case programme prospectus democratic Finally, having events relevant essay, James Meadway, advisor McDonnell, offers critical assessment defeat. Like Berry, Meadway decentralisation form central future socialist endeavours. strength winning metro mayoralties could activists direction. [Correction added 27th May 2021, online publication: paragraph included.] What legacy? Will he, hero mentor Tony Benn, ultimately leave nothing residual, marginal tendency within waits three brief relevance? Given less progress classic Bennite goal democratising expect so. attribute much significance uniqueness himself, specific peculiar took leadership. conditions gone away, instead wildly pandemic. pro-Corbyn raised crucial nature membership world constant communicative participation. Those stop being asked, when be. It simply early say whether desire democratisation re-ignited snuffed permanently contained return Blair-era managerialism. At time writing, parallel experiments Bernie Sanders seem outcomes. President Biden laid investment excess commentators expecting. turn attributed impact Sanders’ four campaigning, widespread popularity egalitarian message. personal difficulty communicating anti-capitalist politics, persuasive idiom, reason fates respective movements. another UK's absurdly centralised system. difficult accommodate traditions (such American ‘progressives’ ‘centrists’ jostle influence Democratic Party) system wherein power, privilege decision-making effectively lies single figures Prime Minister (who course wields technically, behalf sovereign). poses serious set Labour. Since inception, included revolutionary Marxists cautiously reformist liberals, shades reformer between. struggled contain differing traditions. During effective two-party 1945–1983, leaders managed unite tendencies, time, appealing greater defeating Conservative Party. multi-party 1983, unity achieved suppressed dissent democracy. loss legitimacy suffered ‘third way’ 2008 crash failure neoliberal governments mitigate consequences poor young, found reconcile constituent tendencies. We do problem; hope open honest dialogue. face resurgent authoritarian nationalism, common ground progressives, if rests upon understandings terms our disagreements. Lewis writing Professor Cultural Theory University East London.