Forum Topic

Madness

So the USA would intervene here? So glad we invited Trump here."In a recording leaked to the Washington Post, the US secretary of state was asked what he would do if Corbyn were to be elected as prime minister, after sustained criticism over Labour’s handling of accusations of antisemitism within the party.The questioner said: “Would you be willing to work with us to take on actions if life becomes very difficult for Jews in the UK?” In response, Pompeo appeared to suggest that he would seek to intervene in the debate before Corbyn had a chance to become prime minister.“It could be that Mr Corbyn manages to run the gauntlet and get elected,” he said on the recording. “It’s possible. You should know, we won’t wait for him to do those things to begin to push back. We will do our level best. It’s too risky and too important and too hard once it’s already happened.”A Labour spokesman said: “President Trump and his officials’ attempts to decide who will be Britain’s next prime minister are an entirely unacceptable interference in the UK’s democracy.” He added that the party was “fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and is implacably opposed to antisemitism in any form”."https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/09/mike-pompeo-leaked-recording-corbyn-labour-jewish-leaders

David Ainsworth ● 2712d9 Comments

Just imagine how much the racist, islamophobic elements of the GOP will struggle if Sajid Javid becomes Tory leader and PM -  still possibility no more of a struggle that the Tory party itself?

Michael Ixer ● 2712d

Apart from his Muslim name, I don't think that there is anything about Javid to which they would object. He seems totally on-board.

David Ainsworth ● 2711d

This would be worrying, except that you have to say that the premise of the journalist's question, “Would you be willing to work with us to take on actions if life becomes very difficult for Jews in the UK?” is absolutely absurd. I'm no fan of Corbyn (though I'd prefer him to the chancers and opportunists currently vying for the Tory leadership), and he's been  feeble in tackling the (rather blown-up) issue of antisemitism, but to portray him as in any way a danger to Jews in the country is beyond ridiculous. What next, “Would you be willing to work with us to take on actions if Corbyn threatened to kill every first-born child in the country?” or “Would you be willing to work with us to take on actions if Corbyn threatened a nuclear strike on the US?"Just to ask the questions shows how silly the original question was.

Richard Carter ● 2711d

"I'm no fan of Corbyn (though I'd prefer him to the chancers and opportunists currently vying for the Tory leadership), and he's been  feeble in tackling the (rather blown-up) issue of antisemitism, but to portray him as in any way a danger to Jews in the country is beyond ridiculous."You place rather too many reliance on logic and facts. Corbyn and Labour have been damaged by these attacks. And they will increase because they do work.

David Ainsworth ● 2711d

Whoops, not "many" but "much". Sorry. Cup of tea needed now, I think.

David Ainsworth ● 2711d

I fear you may be right, David. Anyway,  it's going to be an interesting six months or so, but where we'll end up is so completely uncertain. PS: I hope the tea works,  amazing how restorative it is...

Richard Carter ● 2711d

I hate interesting times. I have never seen anything like this. A tangled web. Tea worked though.

David Ainsworth ● 2711d

None of us have seen anything like this in living memory David. Glad tea helped though. Am considering a coffee or even early lunch!

Lucille Grant ● 2711d

Mr Carter, you may be right on how silly the original question was. Apparently the Pompeo intervention threat has not been mentioned by the BBC or the UK Government, so perhaps they know best:-https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/14341/analysis-pompeo-has-threatened-undermine-uk-democracy-if-corbyn-becomes-primeStill, Pompeo, ex-head of the CIA, just months ago bragged about how the CIA “lied, cheated and stole” under his watch. So the UK Tory Government may be glad to have his skills on their side against Corbyn and Labour. I guess the BBC is just being its usual rather frightened self, faced with potentially powerful critics, rivals and pressure groups.

David Ainsworth ● 2711d