Is 2019 the new 1983?

[mwooldri]

1. In a lot of ways I believe Corbyn is this generations Foot.

Their political stances are very similar. Both joined the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Both campaigned for withdrawal from the European Economic Community. Both campaigned for higher taxes on the rich, and both campaigned in renationalising certain industries.

The 1983 Labour party manifesto was described as the "longest suicide note in history".

However there are a lot of differences too. The Falkland Islands / Malvinas conflict had actually helped Margaret Thatcher a lot in public standing. The UK generally were supportive of the mission, and the outcome was generally received positively.

There has also been no major spinoff political party from either the Conservative Party or the Labour Party that resulted in a third force commanding a lead in the opinion polls (yes, Change UK / The Independent Group came about, but they gained zero significant traction).

There is also no major military conflict that is engaging the UK at this time. There is a civil and cultural conflict that is called Brexit, and it has split the country right in the middle.

I have no idea on what the potential outcome of this election will be. If the election is 99% Brexit it really doesn't help Labour whose official position on Brexit is similar to the hokey pokey. But when the main players are a reincarnated Worzel Gummidge versus a softer Alan B'stard ... it confuses the heck out of me that there are plenty of people who would actually vote for Alan B'stard.