[Politics] Owen Jones

[AlbionBro]

I thought he was a rugby player.

 

[aolstudios]

 

[WATFORD zero]

It's only a suggestion, bit if Corbyn, Lucas and Skinner had their own party, Kinnock, Prescott and Thornberry had their own party, Starmer, Blair, Ken Clarke and Rory Stewart had their own party, Cameron, May and Johnson had their own party and Sunak, Anderson and Farage had their own party I wonder what would happen ?

NO red or blue, that's your choice, you can't be trusted with anything more complicated

 

[London Irish]

I already thought the same of Steve Coogan. Ages before any GE already trying to whip up the pressure on Starmer to deliver Labour policies on Coogan’s particular tick list. Comes across as far more than lobbying, instead stirring on social media. The nation voted against those in 2019, if and when Labour get it it’ll be a mandate for the Starmer/Reeves/Streeting manifesto. Not sneaky Coogan’s by the back door.

Tell us a bit about this Starmer/Reeves/Streeting manifesto, anything about it. Literally everyone is dying to know, except those lobby/political journalists whose job it is to find out such things - they are just happy their mates will get power (broadcast journos by default tend to be centrists)

 

[London Irish]

I get all that, but I just still find it self-indulgent that he feels the need to make SO much out of it (the video and other appearances, in addition to the piece in the paper). The journalist (not to be confused with their opinions) should never be the story - especially if they are writing about themselves.

I think you are confusing the role of news journalists (yes, they should not be the story) with opinion writers - it's literally their job to make it about their opinions. He is diversifying his media output into video for the very sound reason that his job is frequently under threat at the Guardian from those who think the left shouldn't have any platform at all anywhere in the mainstream media. It's very sensible by him given the renewed climate of McCarthyism against the Left

 

[London Irish]

Look, none of us know what Starmzy will be like. We can only guess and I'm bored with that.

Yes we do. He has a political record now as an MP and party leader (and in public life earlier than that) that you can study and make very reasonable assessments about how he will behave in power

 

[clapham_gull]

Successful social media influencer from a middle class educated background.

Nothing wrong with that, but he's savvy enough to know that the Owen Jones brand (because that's exactly what it is) is badly affected by supporting a Government in power, so he's jumped ship before they get in.

It's very good news for those who want this administration out.

If Owen Jones has left, Labour are electable.

 

[Weststander]

Tell us a bit about this Starmer/Reeves/Streeting manifesto, anything about it. Literally everyone is dying to know, except those lobby/political journalists whose job it is to find out such things - they are just happy their mates will get power (broadcast journos by default tend to be centrists)

Why do Labour have to reveal or firm up their manifesto now, probably 7 months from a GE? It would give the government the opportunity at the autumn statement to copy tax changes and set further traps to screw Reeves first budget.

Not in power, so cleverly playing the long game.

Ever since Momentum were crushed by the 2019 electorate, the bitter left have had the knives out to undermine an electable LP supported by large swathes of the UK across socio economic classes.

Which is odd. Can only think it’s bad loser syndrome, putting a narrow very unelectable view ahead of uniting with a movement to make the UK a better place to be.

 

[London Irish]

Why do Labour have to reveal or firm up their manifesto now, probably 7 months from a GE? It would give the government the opportunity at the autumn statement to copy tax changes and set further traps to screw Reeves first budget.

Not in power, so cleverly playing the long game.

Ever since Momentum were crushed by the 2019 electorate, the bitter left have had the knives out to undermine an electable LP supported by large swathes of the UK across the socio economic classes.

Which is odd. Can only think it’s bad loser syndrome, putting a narrow very unelectable view ahead of uniting with a movement to make the UK a better place to be.

But if you genuinely wanted to make Britain a better place, why wouldn't you want the Government of the day to copy what you believe in? Do you believe politics is just a job creation exercise for 650 people and the hangers-on they employ?

If you were a skilled politician, you could then attempt to get the credit for any changes that were your idea.

In reality, it doesn't add up. There are no big ideas from that quarter, go to any internal events of the Labour Right and you see/hear nothing. The manifesto will be full of meaningless waffle about aspirations that no one can measure if achieved or not

 

[London Irish]

Successful social media influencer from a middle class educated background.

Nothing wrong with that, but he's savvy enough to know that the Owen Jones brand (because that's exactly what it is) is badly affected by supporting a Government in power, so he's jumped ship before they get in.

It's very good news for those who want this administration out.

If Owen Jones has left, Labour are electable.

That makes no sense. Owen Jones was a member when Labour moved into 20-point plus leads. No one exaggerates Owen Jones's role in public life more than his worst critics

 

[Triggaaar]

I left the Labour Party sometime ago. I seem to have missed a trick with the 24 minute YouTube video.

It's not too late. Please do one. I will definitely watch it (or at least try).

 

[Weststander]

But if you genuinely wanted to make Britain a better place, why wouldn't you want the Government of the day to copy what you believe in? Do you believe politics is just a job creation exercise for 650 people and the hangers-on they employ?

If you were a skilled politician, you could then attempt to get the credit for any changes that were your idea.

In reality, it doesn't add up. There are no big ideas from that quarter, go to any internal events of the Labour Right and you see/hear nothing. The manifesto will be full of meaningless waffle about aspirations that no one can measure if achieved or not

Then they’ll be booted out in 2029.

I’m hopeful and not for the lazy “anything’s better than this lot” followed by a fake laugh.

My shopping list, if they can make significant inroads into:
- numbers of affordable homes, helping the homeless.
- fix our roads.
- A&E chaos.
- the mental health crisis.
- allied to the above, to give 18 to 35 year olds hope with tangible deeds.

Then to me that would be a successful first term.

There’s zero evidence that Starmer, Reeves and Streeting are going to let people down.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I think you are confusing the role of news journalists (yes, they should not be the story) with opinion writers - it's literally their job to make it about their opinions. He is diversifying his media output into video for the very sound reason that his job is frequently under threat at the Guardian from those who think the left shouldn't have any platform at all anywhere in the mainstream media. It's very sensible by him given the renewed climate of McCarthyism against the Left

Sure, opinions about everything else, but not himself and his decision to leave the Labour party – and that's LITERALLY the story here.

From my limited experience of Jones, it's clear he's not a fan of Starmer and hasn't been for some time. So the fact that he has left the party that Starmer leads isn't exactly earth-shattering. As I said originally, I struggle to see why anyone would give a shite, but have since realised that he's essentially just a grifter who benefits from the whole 'divide and conquer' approach where every opinion has to be black or white, with no room for nuanced, balanced and reasonable debate in-between.

Good luck to him – and all who support and hate him – but I still can't see the appeal of going all in on something that is, in the grand scheme of things, really facking trivial.

 

[aolstudios]

Successful social media influencer from a middle class educated background.

Nothing wrong with that, but he's savvy enough to know that the Owen Jones brand (because that's exactly what it is) is badly affected by supporting a Government in power, so he's jumped ship before they get in.

It's very good news for those who want this administration out.

If Owen Jones has left, Labour are electable.

Nailed it

 

[Weststander]

It's only a suggestion, bit if Corbyn, Lucas and Skinner had their own party, Kinnock, Prescott and Thornberry had their own party, Starmer, Blair, Ken Clarke and Rory Stewart had their own party, Cameron, May and Johnson had their own party and Sunak, Anderson and Farage had their own party I wonder what would happen ?

NO red or blue, that's your choice, you can't be trusted with anything more complicated

Or Coogan, Jones, Corbyn, Abbott, Lansman, Charlotte Church, Livingstone, Chris Williamson, Susan Michie and mates start their own party.

Let’s see how they get on at a GE.

 

[aolstudios]

Or Coogan, Jones, Corbyn, Abbott, Lansman, Charlotte Church, Livingstone, Chris Williamson, Susan Michie and mates start their own party.

Let’s see how they get on at a GE.

Lord Sutch would kick their arses. Even now he's dead

 

[London Irish]

Sure, opinions about everything else, but not himself and his decision to leave the Labour party – and that's LITERALLY the story here.

From my limited experience of Jones, it's clear he's not a fan of Starmer and hasn't been for some time. So the fact that he has left the party that Starmer leads isn't exactly earth-shattering. As I said originally, I struggle to see why anyone would give a shite, but have since realised that he's essentially just a grifter who benefits from the whole 'divide and conquer' approach where every opinion has to be black or white, with no room for nuanced, balanced and reasonable debate in-between.

Good luck to him – and all who support and hate him – but I still can't see the appeal of going all in on something that is, in the grand scheme of things, really facking trivial.

I don't think you watched the video - be honest

 

[London Irish]

He's found a policy! England shirt colours

 

[clapham_gull]

That makes no sense. Owen Jones was a member when Labour moved into 20-point plus leads. No one exaggerates Owen Jones's role in public life more than his worst critics

And no-one was suggesting he has a role in public life. Owen Jones is a modern capitalist brand, I watch his "content" as a social media influencer/commentator extensively.

He is terrible when challenged on linear TV as a guest and has walked out on interviews, but is much better (obviously) when in control of his own narrative and editing.

That's how you build a brand. Owen has to have the last word and knows it.

His most interest/weird interviews are one with the likes of Peter Hitchens and others on the right. Neither one is competing with each other, each has their say and there is an odd mutual respect. It's like watching Nike sitting down with Apple. With Hitchens it's almost a love-in.

Where Owen falls down is with his discussion with the Left, because Owen is competing for the same space.

If Owen genuinely wanted to change this country he would be committed to bringing down the current administration and fighting from "within" to move a new Labour Government closer to his political perspective.

But Owen has other priorities. I don't for one minute think it's about money, but Owen Jones the brand is paramount.

I respect your politics, probably agree with 90% of them but the likes of Owen Jones actively damage them in the pursuit of self promotion.

I think it's really important try to separate politics from personal behaviour. Livingstone was the best London Mayor I've ever had, but he really had to be booted out at end,

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Why do Labour have to reveal or firm up their manifesto now, probably 7 months from a GE? It would give the government the opportunity at the autumn statement to copy tax changes and set further traps to screw Reeves first budget.

Not in power, so cleverly playing the long game.

Ever since Momentum were crushed by the 2019 electorate, the bitter left have had the knives out to undermine an electable LP supported by large swathes of the UK across socio economic classes.

Which is odd. Can only think it’s bad loser syndrome, putting a narrow very unelectable view ahead of uniting with a movement to make the UK a better place to be.

Did some idiot I have on ignore actually demand an answer to this dumb question . . . again.

Just tell them to f*** off. Its so much more final