I wonder to what extent oil industry dark money lobbying is behind the "#ULEZ cost #Labour the #UxbridgeByElection" narrative?

#UKpol
#ClimateEmergency

@simon_brooke

I doubt it - #sunak & co unassisted will stoop to anything to get electoral advantage. They have nothing to offer and nothing good in their long dismal record so are left with fear-mongering as their only weapon

@jackLondon fair. But Labour caved in to this narrative much too easily. Why? Who put what pressure on them to do so?

I mean, you might say that this Labour leadership is so craven and unprincipled that they can be blown off course by the gentlest of breaths; and I'd agree with you. But who breathed?

We need #SignpostsNotWeathercocks .

https://youtu.be/QkRMWDzFcqA

@simon_brooke

My suspicion is after how #brexit weaponised #nativism to huge political effect, they're scared this can happen again with anything environmental that can be made into a #populist call to action

IMO there are more than enough who, given leadership & the right information, will do the right thing for that not to be an issue

I just wish the shadow cabinet could lead and not fold on this subject

Silly 1970s style nationalisation plans? That's different - those would lose a GE

@jackLondon @simon_brooke Yes, o think you're exactly right. This is just the labour strategy of hugging the Conservative agenda closely, to make sure the Tories can't create a new wedge issue that will mobilise the gammons. See also their dumping of trans rights. There's probably lobbyists involved in all these cases, but at root this is just the old Blairist policy of triangulation at work.

@Loukas @simon_brooke

Don't knock it - it works. Which is more than you can say for #labour tactics from 2010 to now.

@jackLondon @Loukas It works in exactly the same way that jumping out of an aeroplane without a parachute works. You do get to the ground quicker.

@simon_brooke @jackLondon I mean, it 'works' in that it gives Labour a better chance of forming the next government with a bigger majority.

But personally I care more about cutting emissions and protecting trans people as an end in itself, so I'd rather political parties pushed harder to shift the overton window, rather than do the most elegant job possible of fitting into the existing window.

@Loukas @simon_brooke

Well we differ. I think #labour will be more green that the #toriesOut

And that window - is shifted when the party in power is no loinger from the #populistRight

But not by having a "real socialist" party in permanent opposition

@jackLondon @Loukas Almost half of all voters in the UK under 34 do not vote. Those are the age group most likely to vote #Labour.

Why do they not vote? Because no-one is offering them a vision worth voting for. If #Labour offered them a vision, and got 80% to turn out (as the #Tories do at the other end of the age spectrum), #Labour would win.

But to do that you need strong policies on #ClimateEmergency, #SocialJustice, and #MinorityRights

https://www.britishelectionstudy.com/bes-findings/age-and-voting-behaviour-at-the-2019-general-election/

@simon_brooke @jackLondon @Loukas Frankly, vote for anyone promising to join the EU. #Brexit has ruined the #UK