Time for Labour supporters to grow up.

Both ‘sides’ of the Labour debate need to take a cold shower and to keep things in perspective.

All Labour supporters (should) want a Labour Government. The majority of the population need a Labour Government. The ‘left’ swallowed their pride and voted for Blair. If Corbyn is re-elected as leader, the ‘right’ should swallow theirs and get behind him.

The ‘left’ need to recognise a significant number of the PLP and of the wider electorate don’t see Corbyn as capable of leading Labour to victory at a general election. The ‘right’ need to recognise that the unions, Party members, and a significant number of the general public, all admire Corbyn. Much more importantly, they admire what he stands for, namely, policies and values that are true to Labour and which are distinguishable from the Conservatives’. We now also know ‘Torylite’ cannot win elections and alienates not only unions but also significant numbers of voters, young and old - many of whom are finally (re)engaging with politics post Iraq - and of course the reinvigorated and hugely increased membership, which the Party depends on both for its income and for its grass roots work in real places, with real people.

Labour need to take time out from the understandable yet humiliating internal struggle in order to develop and articulate progressive policies and a clear vision, and to be a strong opposition. Christ knows, there’s plenty to go at. In addition to fully utilising the possibilities afforded by social media, Labour also needs to be willing to pay for and sufficiently resource people who are brilliant at persuasive yet ethical communication, in order to get the key messages out to the wider electorate, and especially to the relatively small number of swing voters who tend to decide elections under our antiquated electoral system.

My preference for a solution to the seemingly insurmountable impasse would be an agreement between ‘left’ and ‘right’: namely, IF Corbyn gets re-elected as leader, Labour (including the majority of the PLP) should get behind him, but only on the proviso that IF in a year or two’s time Labour’s chances of winning a general election have not improved, then Corbyn should agree to stand down in order to make way for a real unity candidate. Although I’m currently struggling to think of anyone who could unite the Party.

Also, please remember the vast majority of voters vote for political parties, not their leaders. Labour, despite the current problems, are holding up extraordinarily well in the polls. This is often overlooked, especially given the obsession by both sides with Corbyn himself: most people will have experienced a boss they don’t have any confidence in, but they don’t choose to undermine and potentially destroy the organiastion they work for - that would be unforgivably stupid and totally counterproductive.

After the leadership election, regardless of who wins, it is essential we either get behind the leader or just shut up and let whoever is left get on with the job: we must not under any circumstances continue to undermine the Labour party and diminish our chances of winning the next general election. If you’re disappointed with the outcome of the leadership election, by all means attend meetings, write, talk, campaign and try to influence policy but recognise that genuine Labour supporters passionately believe in solidarity, and recognise also that society desperately needs a strong and relatively unified Labour party now.

Neoliberalism is failing too many and stands in opposition to the principles of unity, solidarity, equality, social justice and fairness, which are at the heart of Labour: translating these values into progressive ideas and pragmatic policies has to be the way forward.

So let’s all grow up and get real. After the leadership election let’s put aside our differences for the greater good and stop bickering like spoilt, mardy adolescents and together help to stop the Conservatives laughing all the way to an increased majority while they continue to destroy the lives of people who most need a Labour government.