Labour can only survive by pretending Corbyn has gone

In spite of everything against them, the Labour party scored an historic victory last night in the City of London. Five Labour councillors were elected in wards that are traditionally contested by ‘independents’ (usually retiree residents who are inclined towards the pomp and ceremony). It was their highest ever total.

People will, of course, be quick to point out that the City of London is the 325th smallest authority in England, out of a total of 326. It has 25 wards covering the area that would, in most authorities, be designated to a single ward. Labour also only has 5 Commoners (the antiquated term the City uses in favour of ‘councillors’) out of a total of 100, so is hardly stamping its authority on the area. But despite the limitations of the victory, there is a sense of optimism that this unprecedented swing happened in spite of Jeremy Corbyn.