Jonathan Miller Jonathan Miller

Jean-Luc Mélenchon isn’t the future of socialism, he’s an irrelevance

Corbyn’s new ally Jean-Luc Mélenchon has zero chance of becoming president

issue 06 October 2018

Jeremy Corbyn is promising to forge closer ties with his French counterpart Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the hard-left La France Insoumise party. The pair met at the Labour conference in Liverpool, and some commentators have hailed the start of a beautiful partnership.

The conceit is that this pair of pensioners are together somehow the future of European socialism. Well, Corbyn might become Britain’s prime minister for all I know, although I prefer to doubt it. But should there be any doubt whatsoever on the corollary subject, I am able to assert with absolute confidence that there is a better chance that the French would elect me than Mélenchon.

He has been taken more seriously of late after some polls found him to be seen as Emmanuel Macron’s strongest opponent. But Corbynites rejoicing at this should know that such polls are a consequence of Macron’s plunge as he dives into conflict with the nationalised industries and the 5.8

Jonathan Miller
Written by
Jonathan Miller

Jonathan Miller, who lives near Montpellier, is the author of ‘France, a Nation on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’ (Gibson Square). His Twitter handle is: @lefoudubaron

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in