Corbyn’s ruthless party leadership shows he is an heir to Blair

Is Jeremy Corbyn a democrat? With Labour now promising a ‘democratic revolution’ this has become a critical question. We can only judge Corbyn on his record as Labour leader and that suggests his rhetoric of radical empowerment conceals a traditional politician’s desire to hold on to the levers of power. Corbyn won’t like it, but in many ways he is an heir to Blair.

Sally Gimson’s deselection certainly calls into question Corbyn’s democratic credentials. Selected by members of Bassetlaw constituency Labour party, the Corbynite-dominated National Executive Committee refused to endorse her, claiming Gimson was the subject of numerous complaints relating to her time as a Camden councillor. The nature of these accusations remain vague and Gimson vigorously contests them. Bassetlaw members suspect Gimson’s real crime was being a moderate. This belief was reinforced when Labour’s governing body imposed on them a candidate who appears to be much closer to their hard-left tastes.