Corbyn vs Smith – LabourList readers’ take on the first leadership hustings

During Thursday evening’s leadership debate we asked readers for their reaction to the candidates’ hustings. Here are a pick of your contributions:

Simon said:

Labour’s position on austerity has changed since Corbyn was elected from being austerity-lite to being unambiguously anti-austerity. This change did not come about from Corbyn alone but from the grassroots which supported his anti-austerity position. Relying on Westminster or little Westminsters around the UK, to introduce the type of legislation needed to make Britain a better place and not to merely limit the damage caused by the Tories, is a forlorn hope without a grassroots movement. It is understandable that the PLP is the last to realise this. For one, top-down has been the way for a long time. And no doubt its nice to think of yourself as the person who is responsible for bringing about change. In reality, however, the PLP has neither the wisdom nor the resolve needed to develop and implement the sort of legislation required to make Britain better without actively engaging communities and all levels of the Party in policy development and decision-making processes.

Corbyn won a first battle by putting anti-austerity front and centre of the Labour Party’s platform. The coup and leadership challenge have now joined Corbyn and his supporters in a second battle. At stake is whether a the top-down will reassert itself in the Party, or whether the Party will move forward to work with communities and all levels of the Party to create a better Britain.

Bill 1111 said:

RegisteredHere said:

Corbyn and Smith are standing on virtually the same policy platform, and so the only thing to separate them is how they see democracy within the Labour Party and that hasn’t so far been a matter for discussion.

Corbyn wants the PLP accountable to the membership, MPs accountable to their CLPs and conference used to decide on policy.

Smith has said something about an easily-ignorable members’ cabinet and not much else, so is it safe to assume that he’ll hand the reins back to the elites in the PLP?

Mineral said:

One of the problems here is that both candidates have a fundamentally un-electable position. Both oppose austerity, both favour massive increases in borrowing, both are in broad opposition to lowering immigration, neither seem to have much of a policy on the NHS or education other than giving them more money.

It’s like trying to decide which leader you want to lose the next election under.

DarrylH said:

I can tell you this now, as a long standing member, this membership does NOT represent the will of all Labour voters and it is a hideously skewed view of democracy when you believe that paying a small fee buys you this.
As political party members we are a tiny fringe group in this country and have a tendency to have strong convictions that do not represent a broad base. The country has not voted on Labour with Corbyn as leader yet and the MPs returned in the last election have every right to fight for the direction of the party.

Ray said: 

The CLPs are supporting Corbyn 4 to 1. The support from CLPs last year proved a very good guide to the outcome. Some commentators during the last leadership thought it would not necessarily pan out that way in actual voting in the one member one vote ballot but it did.

Matty B said:

Very much enjoyed it! Great debate…Really great and it’s left me really really excited about the direction that the Labour Party is going in! Over the year Labour has been speaking to me and so many people I know more and more and with Jeremy it’s been in a way that I relate to. Unfortunately Owen just comes across pretty much style over substance which shows just how much we’ve moved along from personality politics eh?

Les said:

Owen Smith looks like he may have changed a few minds here. A very professional performance. He was passionate and sure footed and in contrast to Mr Corbyn he looks the part. He spoke about policies whilst mr Corbyn appeared to be constantly sloganising.