"A party without a soul, a purpose, or tolerance for dissent: that's the lasting impression of Labour from its annual jamboree in Liverpool. Corporate Britain is stamped over everything. There's a hub sponsored by the lobbying firm Anacta, whose clients range from an Israeli-owned arms company to various airlines. Ministers chatter with suited business types in a lounge sponsored by Arden Strategies"
"The soullessness has much to do with the climate of fear diagnosed by Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor and pretender to the Labour crown. The most authoritarian leadership in the party's history has waged a remorseless war on dissent, transforming Labour into a hollowed out husk, where contempt for injustice is considered dangerous extremism. Labour MPs have been variously suspended for opposing Israel's genocide, the Tory two-child benefit cap and Starmer's attempted attack on disability benefits."
Corporate sponsors and lobbying firms dominate the party conference environment, with ministers mingling in industry-backed lounges and visible endorsements of projects like a third Heathrow runway. Signs of historical idealism are scarce, and symbolic tributes clash with present priorities. A pervasive climate of fear has enabled an authoritarian leadership to suppress dissent, resulting in suspensions of MPs for opposing Israel's actions, the two-child benefit cap, and attacks on disability benefits. Resignations over Gaza were dismissed dismissively, members face sanctions for minor actions, and peaceful pro-Palestine protesters have been arrested and targeted under a proscription.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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