Why Corbyn is the best thing in British politics
On 12 September, over 330,000 people watched as Jeremy Corbyn won the battle to become the Labour Party’s new leader, following a General Election that produced bitter defeat for the party. As a 66-year-old white male, it could be assumed that Corbyn is as hopelessly out of touch and presumptuous as the majority of the Conservative party, however this couldn’t actually be further from the case. Here is a man who has campaigned relentlessly against apartheid, against austerity and animal cruelty. Somebody who is passionate for what they believe in: equality and fairness.
The election of Jeremy Corbyn shows a refreshing reversion back to the original principles of the Labour party: a party to protect the rights of the Unions, the Working Class and the vulnerable members of society. Corbyn’s compassion and resilience is exactly what the Labour party, what British Politics needs. For too long people have felt alienated and disillusioned by the lack of difference between the two major parties, and apathy is only generated by boredom.
Even if you don’t agree with Corbyn’s socialism, his desperation to end the never-ending sham that is the English Monarchy or his unequalled desire to help those in need (human AND animal); it’s evident that Jeremy Corbyn is nowhere near as stagnant and mediocre as Blair and Brown, or Cameron and Osborne. His cabinet is the only shadow cabinet to have ever been made up of more woman than men, and in the 2009 Expenses Scandal, he was found to have submitted the smallest amount of expenses of any British MP. So for those of you who firmly believe there is ‘no such thing as an honest politician’, think again.
Corbyn plans to tackle tax avoidance by investing £1 billion into HMRC. This will prevent all the mega-rich autocrats, who contribute nothing to society apart from the oppression and demonisation of the working classes, from fiddling with their income so they don’t have to pay as much tax. Jeremy Corbyn is a long-time supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, recognising that it is totally irrelevant and pointless to spend over £1 billion renewing Trident, weapons we will never use nor should ever feel inclined to. Furthermore, Corbyn has been explicit on his opposition to the Iraq war and military intervention in Syria. On top of all of this, Corbyn is also dedicated to improving the rights and welfare of animals and the environment across the country. Like me, he has campaigned for the ban of the use of wild animals in circuses: a totally cruel and outdated form of ‘entertainment’ and he is also a vegetarian.
Those in society who are especially narrow minded and facetious saw his appointment of Kerry McCarthy, a Vegan, as Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as a horrendous choice. How dare Corbyn choose someone who wants to raise the standards of animal welfare in agriculture and increase the sustainability of farming? On top of advocating a fracking ban, the new Labour frontman has routinely expressed his aspiration of much higher emission cuts. In conclusion, Jeremy Corbyn is a man of integrity, transparency and principle- which in combination with his kindness and unpretentiousness can only possibly make for a better Britain.
Sophie de Groot, Year 13. Autumn Issue 2015