‘Labourist’ Owen Smith on Newsnight: Not a car crash but there were some desperate swerves

Last Updated: July 26, 2016By
"This browser does not support video playback": Be relieved.

“This browser does not support video playback”: Be relieved.

Labour leadership contender Owen Smith had a one-to-one interview with James O’Brien on the BBC’s Newsnight yesterday. One hopes he didn’t come away thinking it was a riotous success because it wasn’t.

It wasn’t awful either, to be fair. This Writer welcomes the fact that he seems to have toned down the disgraceful language he has used when referring to Jeremy Corbyn, and also that he seems to have started discussing some policies that he might have.

But, just when it seems we’re finally getting somewhere with this one, down come the clunkers:

Apparently, according to Mr Smith, “Nationhood and patriotism aren’t part of Jeremy Corbyn’s makeup”. We’ll make up our own minds about your opponent, thanks, Owen. You stick to talking about yourself.

“Only just over 50 per cent” of Labour members voted for Jeremy Corbyn last year, he said. Only? It was a four-way contest! Jeremy Corbyn strolled it!

Mr Smith seemed terrified of the word “socialism”, choosing his own term instead. Mr O’Brien’s face was a picture. “Labourism?” he squawked, in a tone that clearly conveyed the message, “What the blazes is that?”

Possibly the worst loss of control was at the start, though – when they were discussing Sarah Champion’s return to the shadow cabinet. After taking part in an attempted coup where we were all told that MPs needed to be able to reject the leader chosen by the wider membership, Mr Smith decided that, now, it’s all about the members – not the MPs.

As Jason Sheffield wrote on Twitter: “Owen Smith would be a step backwards to a kind of politician who changes policies on a whim depending on which face he’s wearing!”

“I’m going to bed tonight more cheerful than I’ve been in weeks,” tweeted Enid Shelmerdine.

“Thanks, for showing us the state of the opposition.”

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7 Comments

  1. Kenneth Billis July 26, 2016 at 2:53 am - Reply

    I thought that was a picture of Sergeant Bilko!

  2. Pjay Mac July 26, 2016 at 6:12 am - Reply

    One Word describes Smith and his diminishing support “LABOURISM” WTF it is Terrifying imagine Smiths Country Millions upon Millions of brainwashed blank eyed” LABOURIST”automatons serving the Neo Liberal Elite on their never ending TREADMILL.

  3. creatorsnotconsumers July 26, 2016 at 6:28 am - Reply

    He wants me to be a labourist? Bwa ha ha ha ha. That’s priceless.

  4. dogpower July 26, 2016 at 8:49 am - Reply

    The man is in dream world and can’t be trusted

  5. peter wyatt (@southerneruk) July 26, 2016 at 9:28 am - Reply

    Labourism is Socialism some thing that Qwen Smith is not, Owen Smith is a Capitalist a supporter of Corporationism

  6. Tim July 26, 2016 at 4:01 pm - Reply

    Has Jeremy Corbyn ever been on Newsnight? I don’t always watch it and was wondering.

    • Mike Sivier July 26, 2016 at 10:16 pm - Reply

      He was on Newsnight five days ago, on July 21.

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