I am a Jeremy Corbyn supporter and I would vote for and support this guy. I have been ashamed by the behaviour of the PLP over Corbyn, they are an absolute disgrace.
Agreed. Give Corbyn a chance. What would he truly be like if people get behind him and give him the support that he deserves? At the moment, at from September last year, everyone and his mate and the media have been on his case in a sustained way. Then he is accused of not doing a very good job! I wonder how any of us would fare, if we faced similar pressure and criticisms in our jobs. Give the guy a chance without the continual bombardment, and then if he doesn't deliver say that he didn't do a good job. I see the PLP, the old party grandees and the media running scared of JC and want to bring him down at any cost. Maybe the NEC should have made it £100 to be eligible to vote.
Russ Ballaam, can you give us a detailed account of Corbyn's policies and how they will succeed. Russ, I doubt very much whether you have a clue what Corbyn stands for.
+Michael Peters if the media weren't bombarding you with BS and misdirection, you would know! the tories would never win if it wasn't for the media spin in the first place, get a life.
+Michael Peters if the media weren't bombarding you with BS and misdirection, you would know! the tories would never win if it wasn't for the media spin in the first place, get a life.
Bravo Clive Lewis. Clear, straightforward explanation of views. Pushing for PR. Thank you for praising Caroline Lucas. Its good to see a politician praising other MPs.
I'm scottish, but Corbyn won me back to Labour... If only the PLP weren't being so backstabbing at the moment. Though I have to say, I do like this guy. Please for the love of God, this country needs some form of proportional representation; were falling so behind the times.
"First past the post has worked for a long time" First past the post last year led to the most disproportionate parliament seen. Not to mention it creates two lead parties whereby you vote for the "lesser of two evils". Not to mention these parties are themselves divided (Conservative EU-skeptics and EU-tolerant, Labour Left and Blair style centre) which leaves the public frustrated with frequent infighting between politician's egos. First past the post isn't as fine and dandy as you claim. Criticise me on socialist principles if you want, that's your view and I can accept that. But if you're going to just casually attack one quarter of the UK (and my home country), then you're the one with the problem. This is the kind of distasteful behaviour that the anti-english nationalist minority get criticised for. You're not exactly selling yourself well
PR seems good on paper but it just doesn't work. Look at the chaos it causes in european countries where coalitions and governments are constantly falling apart and elections having to be called all the time because there's rarely a majority.
Not electoral system is perfect. True, PR is more prone to generating minority governments and coalitions, but it's really a subjunctive view as to whether or not this is a bad thing. The method of PR used in Scotland for example (a variation of the Additional Member System) was "theoretically" designed to prevent majority government forming in the first place; instead favouring cross-party talk, discussion, reaching consensus, etc. And all things considered it's done rather well. In fact, some of the problems stemmed from the first MAJORITY government in 2011, when opposition parties lost their influence. I forgot to mention one of the other cons of first past the post; complacency. Yet another problem which plagued us here on Scotland. The continual success of Labour up north created a generation of complacent MPs with ridiculously high expenses. I was ashamed to have my ex MP have the highest expenses in the whole of Scotland, and the only method of removing corrupt MPs from their position of power was to vote for the next strongest party (as is the nature of first past the post). And yes, up here in Scotland that tragically means SNP :/ Constantly having to choose between the lesser of two evils, I can't recall from memory the last time I voted for a party I actually believed in. Only PR can really help me in this regard
I was done with UK politics the second I was old enough to take an interest , when I noticed the people in the rest of the UK consistently complaining about the privileges Scotland has such as free prescriptions and university education and yet doing nothing to get it for themselves and in fact doing the opposite by voting for the tories and making sure they are kept right in their place. The real nail in the coffin was the brexit result and as soon as Scotland leaves (which WE will this time) then all the little Englanders will be left with is little England.
I love this guy. Maybe it's too late for Jeremy Corbyn as the media and people around him have criticised him enough to make him completely unelectable. This guy could replace him and, in my opinion, win the election.
Or maybe he disqualified himself by staying more or less silent in a moment when his leadership was demanded? In the whole brexit affair he was a complete failure, at least as a leader of a party supposed to represent a majority of the people. As charismatic as he is (and obviously also the people he picked to work with him), this just isn't a position a nation can afford to fill with someone who tries to dodge tough decisions.
But it sounds like it was always meant to be too late when they nominated him? Him, and Diane (And Ed - ed.) sacrificed to gradually shifting the party leftwards a bit. As if that dialogue or analysis of left/right means something as a kind of significant spectrum of difference, when it's actively a lot more complicated than that.
Think about it! How long before the media runs a negative campaign against this guy or any leader. If Owen Smith is elected even they would attack but I suppose the so-called liberal papers would be on his side.
We can survive with the right kind of community organising. Bring out the banda machines. Print a thousand billion 'zines. End up with arms like Hercules... But, whatever happened to hope, with this party especially? Accepting the hierarchically ordered nature of society is conservatism bedrock, not ours!
Before a PR referendum, surely? The whole point of a progressive alliance is to unite the left wing vote in a way that the Tories have done in the past for the right, so that FPTP doesnt penalize it. When Labour is at the head of a left wing government and PR is implemented, then there will be no need for that alliance to continue.
Awesome Avenger There is no reason why the SNP and Plaid should be involved, they can bring only a couple of seats to the table whilst losing the alliance many seats in England. It should be Labour, the Lib Dems, and the Greens.
Awesome Avenger Such a deal probably wouldnt be made under a Corbyn leadership, the Lib Dems wouldnt want to work with him anyway. But if Labour had a new leader who was still left wing but less toxic than Corbyn, then a deal could be reached. There really isnt all that much in a left wing Labour platform that would alienate Farron led Lib Dems.
He's very impressive. Will be harder for the media to "do a Corbyn" on a former soldier. If the Labour party is brave enough to stay left wing then he should be the next leader.
I was at our CLP meeting tonight and it was noticeable that there was not one mention of Scotland or coalition, it is very heartening to hear an MP address both of those issues realistically. This man should be Corbyn's anointed successor.
Nice. I never felt compelled to vote for anything before Jeremy came on the scenes, totally behind him. I feel in safe hands with Jeremy and Clive at the forefront, both trustworthy, capable, well-principled people.
‘I’d much rather work with Caroline Lucas rather than shout at her from the opposition benches.’ ‘How can we deal with the rise of the authoritarian right..?’ I really wish the socialist campaign group put Clive forward as the leadership candidate. He was much more palatable to the soft-left than RLB, and he’d quite likely be our leader right now.
Given that any reformist political is only ever going to have limited success in changing the status quo its nice to hear Clive Lewis standing up for his beliefs and demonstrating that honest politicians do exist. Well done Norwich for voting him in.
Before you broached the leadership question with Clive, with full force I saw a future leader. Mainly because it is evident he's not doing it for personal gain and glory. The problem I have is that he can't lead quick enough. We have to cope until he gets there. This is a shame for my daughters, 13 and 17 and our dream for them to at least get an education and chances. Thank you Owen for your work and charm
+Owen Jones if you interview smith, can you ask him to publish his full tax returns for last 6 years, as any leadership candidate for labour should. & with smith connection to large corporations, can he just confirm that he's not been involved in any offshore business in tax Haven's? it would be a nightmare for any leader if this came out..
Please ask Smith what he and the other 170 MPs opposing Corbyn plan to do if (by which I mean when) Smith loses the leadership election. Will they support or continue to oppose the democratically elected leader of the Labour Party?
+Owen Jones ark owen smith why he bullied a party activist Liza Van Zyl out of PLP, don't wimp out owen, ask the tough questions like your on newsnight!
Wow after listening to so much "trash talk " from politicians on the campaign trail, how refreshing to know that, at least in the British Parliament, there are some fine young politicians who can put a cogent and reasoned argument together and be human with it! We will surely need them. Thanks Clive and Owen for a bit of a spirit lifter.
Superb! This guy is hands on and thoughtful at the same time. He is honest and that's his biggest mistake, because we can't have honest discussions about anything in a democracy. Everything has to be arranged in the background before anyone says a word and god forbid speaks his mind!
Owen I've appreciated the work you've put in to your journalism and writing for a long time, but appreciate it particularly now in the face of the increased criticism for your genuine attempt to further leftist politics and advance the conversation being had, stay positive, you're a credit to your profession.
Thanks Owen well balanced interview. What really needs to happen is the division of the Labour Party. The division of the Conservative party. The creation of a new centre party from both. This will break up the waring factions within each party, and provide real democracy for this country, finally PR or it won't work. Likelihood of this outcome… probably the same as article 50 not being implemented, although it doesn't have to be because it's not a legal mandate.
This will lead to the ruling of the dumbfucks of the center who are unable to do anything but secure the status quo. We have that in Germany for many years now and it has stalled every progressive project. And the center is now collapsing into the 45 percent region, which means there will be no majority to rule for anyone. Real AGW is on the doorstep now and will bring tons of danger to our civil societies and noone is ready to tackle the big questions. With rising temperatures, extreme weather and migration from the south to the lands of consumerism, we will be unable to react in an intelligent way. Right wing populism is already on the rise.
there should be a left wing party that includes corbyn and the greens, a social democratic party that includes the lib dems and most of Labour, a centre right party led by Theresa may, a nationalist party including the snp and pc, and a right wing party including ukip and hard brexit supporting conservatives
I was working in the Houses of Parliament during the last General Election period, and I gotta say Clive Lewis MP is a genuinely lovely guy, and had time for all us support staff there.
+Owen Jones doesn't quite answer the question, a corbyn video doesn't mean you're supporting him. will genuinely be gutted if you're not supporting corbyn Owen, thought you were fighting for us
Owen, you should interview Sarah Champion. As someone who resigned and then rejoined the Shadow Cabinet, she's bound to have an interesting perspective.
Yes I agree Geoff ,a man with a very interesting background . You are Lucky to have him as your MP , Mine is Fecking Angela bleeding useless Eagle ,hence my supporting UKIP . At least they want to get rid of our MerseyTunnel Fees ,and bring back Grammer schools in every working class area .
Excellent interview Owen and delighted to see the fresh voice of the left coming from Clive and other new and exciting Labour MPs being given a platform .....#solidarity
what a great guy. I would totally vote for him as leader. also cabinet members having experience in their field is HUGE. This should be the case for everyone!
At last - for months I've been saying Clive Lewis should succeed Jeremy Corbyn when the latter steps down (please not yet!). Glad Owen thinks so too (in a veiled way). And Jeremy still has more stature and proven integrity than any young successor can ever hope to accrue, partly as he was left on the backbenches. But give Lewis time: he's vital, articulate, fleet in point-making as a row of party lights, but nails an emotional message. He proclaimed New Labour dead and buried when elected in May 2015 and expected to be a backbencher forever. No Owen Smith. And sensible on PR and good coalition. So at the risk of sounding premature, how's Clive Lewis for a future PM?
I love these interviews with Labour MPs. But, Owen, please understand that not everyone who is critical of Corbyn is "the right". I have a fair few issues with his leadership, but it's nothing to do with his left-wing stance.
tbf he touches on that in his lisa nandy interview. she makes that kind of argument, think i prefer clive lewis generally but as far as corbyn is concerned i agree with her
I am puzzled, that's not what Owen Jones or his friendly interviewees seem to think!? Not in the interviews here and with Lisa Nandy, to pick on recently uploaded content.
It was something I thought he said in this interview, but I can't find it now. Maybe I misheard. It was an inference rather than a direct statement by referring to opposing sides and the side that backed Corbyn was "the left". I possibly read too much into it because I know he personally backs Corbyn and I keep expecting his own feelings to cloud his objectivity.
Ben Martin Nandy perfectly encompasses my thoughts on Corbyn. It was really refreshing to hear. I'm fed up of getting called a Blairite when I don't join in the Corbyn worship.
Within the Keziah Dugdale interview she talks about not being able to lead without the support of the PLP and in that sense withdraws support while remaining an obvious friend and left wing friend within the party, to Owen Jones. Together, in these videos, I think he's seemed at pains to tread the ground not between left and right, but between different opinions over this thing which is happening in the Labour Party and wider movement that is bigger than Corbyn. It's like he's trying to give us a sense that it might not be the end of the road for the left in the Labour Party and wider interest, that people interested in left coalitions and all kinds of social democracy and social justice, who may or may not be pacifist remain in different camps and in the party whatever happens next. I think Owen is hedging his bets and softening the divide a little, even while he acknowledges the way it's been really easily characterized.
Really good interview, very honest and open. I don't know a great deal about Lewis' political past but he's impressed me here. Good for him for standing with Corbyn's leadership; he's so right about the self-fulfilling prophecy. I like that sensible back-benchers like this are coming to the front and giving their say. Corbyn, like him or not, has made that happen. It's refreshing!
I'm not typically a fan of Labour, but I would be much more inclined to vote for this guy than Jeremy Corbyn. He seems smart, savvy, and actually has a backbone.
A soldier who has been on the front line and seen war first hand is exactly the kind of person who should be a shadow defence secretary! I hope he will suggest to PM Theresa May what experience she has had at seeing civilian's limbs blown off and soldiers suffering the effects of war before she so flippantly states she has no problem whatsoever of 'pressing buttons' to annihilate human beings.
Great interview! a lot of hugging though;) Clive Lewis seems really articulated and he has the left wing policies I could get behind. Honestly I love Corbyn's policies but his competence as a Leader is trying, I understand that the right wing media has presented a distorted view but some times it gets trying. For example what the fuck was John McDonnell thinking bringing Mao's little red book into the HoC!?!?! Plus Clive has my haircut so he obviously is stylish and can relate to the people:D
Great to hear from Clive Lewis, seems very enlightened and grounded guy. Like his views on PR. Look forward to hearing more from him. But do stop bigging up the bad and bogiemonstrous Conservative Party 'the most effective political force on earth' my foot. If they were then I don't think the EU Referendum would have gone the way it did!!!!
As a lifelong lib Dem, this man could cause me to go labour. Labour's imperialist attitudes to other parties, support of FPTP, antienvironmentalism and banging on about the NHS has always put me off.
Hello from an East Midlander in Bradford!! (who thinks it really really wasn't very nice if that standout quote that made it to the video title was really how it was, yet I found I welcomed the honesty)
andy hornett, "What a breath of fresh air this guy is!" .If the smell of mothballs are your idea of fresh air, then your political judgement must be seriously impaired.
Didn't know Clive before, so excited to have someone like this in the party a social justice "safe pair of hands" maybe? Hell yeah potential leader. Would have liked to know more about his opinion on trident.
I don't believe his positions on why he joined the TA. It's not my place to criticise his choice, because his motivations are personal. But I find it troubling.
Always been a big fan of Clive; although I don't agree with all of his politics, he's a really decent bloke. Think he's done a fantastic job as my local MP & yeah, I could see him going for leader at some point.
I've been a longtime supporter of Jeremy Corbyn - and I do hope he wins the next election - but if he doesn't, I would very much like to see Clive Lewis as his successor. This is a man who I believe can carry on Corbyn's legacy and be seen as much more electable in the Labour Party.
Clive is the kind of authentic politician we all want to see more of. I just get the impression from his off comment about Orange Bookers and the way the tories were characterised generally that he's succumbed to the temptation of seeing some of the dichotomies in black and white. More cross party understanding is a useful thing, not just among progressives!
Woooooohooooooo!!!!!! JC showed em, he's bloody brilliant! The LP's manifesto is costed and achievable, if you bother to listen to any of the greatest economics specialists in the world.
Lot of talk about Labour being potentially wiped out if Corbyn is leader in a general election. Nobody seems be talking about Labour if Corbyn is forced out by the PLP working against their own party & members. I think a lot of people are seriously underestimating the impact on the party that would have. Potentially, unions, CLP members & hundreds of thousands of paying members turning away. Swing & UKIP voters could see the party as toxic and full of careerists. Clive is definitely one for the future. As a neutral, I think the best thing for Labour at the moment is to keep Corbyn and embrace this growth of the membership. Corbyn will get better once he hasn't got 550 MPs & entire MSM on his case 24/7. He needs a new deputy who he can trust and delegate a lot more powers to.
Thanks Owen. I'm glad I got to gain an insight into Clive Lewis, previously was just a name to me. I agree with you, he very well may have a promising future, potential leader perhaps. I particularly agree with his views about a greater alliance of the parties, ultimately politics should be cooperative, its about compromise and not tyranny by a minority.
I'm on the right of the party & like really Clive Lewis. I agreed with a lot of the stuff that he said and believe that he does have a bright future ahead of him. However polling does indicate that if there was a snap general election, he would lose his seat. :(
Smart guy with some good life experience, and he talks like a human being rather than a human spin machine. I'll probably vote for Owen Smith this time around, but I'd back Clive if he ran without a doubt.
I voted for Corbyn, but I knew he wouldn't be electable. I wanted him to rebuild the party and hand over to a more charismatic protege. Clive Lewis was my first choice. He still is.
as clive says changing the leader will not change the party's electoral prospects. many of the new members of the party illo leave again if jeremy is not re-elected/ this challenge was obviously pre-planned by thoroughly disgusting self-interested career politicians who saw a threat to their comfortable existence. Disenfranchising new members (who will almost certainly support jeremy) shows that the party hierarchy is complicit in this treachery. Jeremy will still probably win and we as a party shoulod start to weed out those elements that are not really Labour people, who joined in the bliarite dogdays - DESELECT the lot of them!
I'm willing to support Jeremy Corbyn if he's the Labour leader but I think Owen Smith has a better chance at winning a general election. We have to agree to have some differences going forward otherwise our only choice in the future is a right wing one. We're better than this and we're stronger when we're united.
+leonwoodley99 Yes it is. It only becomes an insult when used condescendingly, or when it comes with a qualifier like "articulate for a woman". But in general use, being articulate is a positive quality.
+leonwoodley99 "using language easily and fluently; having facility with words: an articulate speaker. expressed, formulated, or presented with clarity and effectiveness: an articulate thought. made clear, distinct, and precise in relation to other parts: an articulate form; an articulate shape; an articulate area. (of ideas, form, etc.) having a meaningful relation to other parts: an articulate image. having parts or distinct areas organized into a coherent or meaningful whole; unified: an articulate system of philosophy." Do you have nothing better to do than scroll through comments and correct people's grammar? Lol
Yes, what's happening in the Labour party is bigger than a single man. Part of Corbyn's appeal is that he would also say that. It would be a shame to underestimate the enormous strength it's taken to get socialist ideas back on the table and have them listened to despite the best attempts of the media - (if Ed put any of them there before, the basic problems and solutions were nothing like as clear - few of us at that point had even started to get our heads round anti-austerity, probably because it wasn't being sold honestly). It's easier to have socialist principles at the beginning of a career than it is to have retained them through thick and thin. And honed, resilient principles and honesty to the electorate are not a luxury in a socialist leader. They are essential.There are advantages to age - grey hair is not necessarily something to be sniffed at or mocked.
Rising star of the Labour party - if he was on the ballot I'd strongly consider voting for him. Thing is anyone who is anywhere near as good as Corbyn is far too decent a person to callously challenge his leadership. Definitely got my vote in the future though
That would by terrible sturgeon would ask for yearly referendums and it would turn English and Welsh voters away because they would see labour as wanting to break up the union
scottish socilast i think with corbyn as pm snp and england will be more united..and both have alot of support among the people as long as everything is negotiated and on the table beforehand and no one turns out to be a snake..it will be a good relationship..both share many common views..they can bounce off each other well (no pun intended)..
the SNP are snakes they will trick Labour into giving Scotland more referendums and drive the northern English to ukip and the welsh to ukip or the conservatives labour is facing extension a union with the SNP will be the nail in the coffin
scottish socilast it is a risk yes..it is a risk..but both want the nasty party out...so there will need to be co-operation to some degree if either want any power anytime soon..snp should have another referendum and if unsuccessful again they should stop pushing the referendum agenda..put it to bed..
sturgeon said she would destroy labour in Scotland id rather have the conservatives in than the SNP if you were Scottish Labour you would know that they are worse than Thatcher
The country would be in safe hands under Lewis. Hopefully we will see him as a successor to Corbyn's run as Prime Minister. The future looks very bright and the current fight will have been a fight worth having.
I am a Jeremy Corbyn supporter and I would vote for and support this guy. I have been ashamed by the behaviour of the PLP over Corbyn, they are an absolute disgrace.
Agreed ,the PLP are a bunch of wannabes . I would never vote Labour again after the Iraq War .
Agreed. Give Corbyn a chance. What would he truly be like if people get behind him and give him the support that he deserves? At the moment, at from September last year, everyone and his mate and the media have been on his case in a sustained way. Then he is accused of not doing a very good job! I wonder how any of us would fare, if we faced similar pressure and criticisms in our jobs. Give the guy a chance without the continual bombardment, and then if he doesn't deliver say that he didn't do a good job. I see the PLP, the old party grandees and the media running scared of JC and want to bring him down at any cost. Maybe the NEC should have made it £100 to be eligible to vote.
Russ Ballaam, can you give us a detailed account of Corbyn's policies and how they will succeed.
Russ, I doubt very much whether you have a clue what Corbyn stands for.
+Michael Peters if the media weren't bombarding you with BS and misdirection, you would know! the tories would never win if it wasn't for the media spin in the first place, get a life.
+Michael Peters if the media weren't bombarding you with BS and misdirection, you would know! the tories would never win if it wasn't for the media spin in the first place, get a life.
Bravo Clive Lewis. Clear, straightforward explanation of views. Pushing for PR. Thank you for praising Caroline Lucas. Its good to see a politician praising other MPs.
just another tedious lefty.
Alex France why don’t labour members like the Green Party
I'm scottish, but Corbyn won me back to Labour... If only the PLP weren't being so backstabbing at the moment.
Though I have to say, I do like this guy. Please for the love of God, this country needs some form of proportional representation; were falling so behind the times.
"First past the post has worked for a long time" First past the post last year led to the most disproportionate parliament seen. Not to mention it creates two lead parties whereby you vote for the "lesser of two evils". Not to mention these parties are themselves divided (Conservative EU-skeptics and EU-tolerant, Labour Left and Blair style centre) which leaves the public frustrated with frequent infighting between politician's egos.
First past the post isn't as fine and dandy as you claim.
Criticise me on socialist principles if you want, that's your view and I can accept that. But if you're going to just casually attack one quarter of the UK (and my home country), then you're the one with the problem. This is the kind of distasteful behaviour that the anti-english nationalist minority get criticised for. You're not exactly selling yourself well
PR seems good on paper but it just doesn't work. Look at the chaos it causes in european countries where coalitions and governments are constantly falling apart and elections having to be called all the time because there's rarely a majority.
Not electoral system is perfect. True, PR is more prone to generating minority governments and coalitions, but it's really a subjunctive view as to whether or not this is a bad thing. The method of PR used in Scotland for example (a variation of the Additional Member System) was "theoretically" designed to prevent majority government forming in the first place; instead favouring cross-party talk, discussion, reaching consensus, etc. And all things considered it's done rather well. In fact, some of the problems stemmed from the first MAJORITY government in 2011, when opposition parties lost their influence.
I forgot to mention one of the other cons of first past the post; complacency. Yet another problem which plagued us here on Scotland. The continual success of Labour up north created a generation of complacent MPs with ridiculously high expenses. I was ashamed to have my ex MP have the highest expenses in the whole of Scotland, and the only method of removing corrupt MPs from their position of power was to vote for the next strongest party (as is the nature of first past the post). And yes, up here in Scotland that tragically means SNP :/ Constantly having to choose between the lesser of two evils, I can't recall from memory the last time I voted for a party I actually believed in. Only PR can really help me in this regard
+grant1133 look at the UK. Our system is dead
I was done with UK politics the second I was old enough to take an interest , when I noticed the people in the rest of the UK consistently complaining about the privileges Scotland has such as free prescriptions and university education and yet doing nothing to get it for themselves and in fact doing the opposite by voting for the tories and making sure they are kept right in their place. The real nail in the coffin was the brexit result and as soon as Scotland leaves (which WE will this time) then all the little Englanders will be left with is little England.
Yes. A definite yes for PMHe's got it. Get behind him
Clive Lewis seems to be a principled honest person unlike most politicians, I have full trust in him and Corbyn to run this country
I love this guy. Maybe it's too late for Jeremy Corbyn as the media and people around him have criticised him enough to make him completely unelectable. This guy could replace him and, in my opinion, win the election.
Or maybe he disqualified himself by staying more or less silent in a moment when his leadership was demanded? In the whole brexit affair he was a complete failure, at least as a leader of a party supposed to represent a majority of the people. As charismatic as he is (and obviously also the people he picked to work with him), this just isn't a position a nation can afford to fill with someone who tries to dodge tough decisions.
He's the type of guy we need in labour, Corbyn as well but def not in a leadership capacity.
But it sounds like it was always meant to be too late when they nominated him? Him, and Diane (And Ed - ed.) sacrificed to gradually shifting the party leftwards a bit. As if that dialogue or analysis of left/right means something as a kind of significant spectrum of difference, when it's actively a lot more complicated than that.
Think about it! How long before the media runs a negative campaign against this guy or any leader. If Owen Smith is elected even they would attack but I suppose the so-called liberal papers would be on his side.
We can survive with the right kind of community organising. Bring out the banda machines. Print a thousand billion 'zines. End up with arms like Hercules... But, whatever happened to hope, with this party especially? Accepting the hierarchically ordered nature of society is conservatism bedrock, not ours!
Saw Clive at a talk and I was struck by his honesty and clarity. It didn't feel like a politician speaking. One to look out for!
He's right that the only way to take on the Tories is a coalition of parties after a PR referendum...
Before a PR referendum, surely? The whole point of a progressive alliance is to unite the left wing vote in a way that the Tories have done in the past for the right, so that FPTP doesnt penalize it. When Labour is at the head of a left wing government and PR is implemented, then there will be no need for that alliance to continue.
Good luck on that! I'm sure the English will love being screwed over by the Scottish and welsh nationalists!
Awesome Avenger There is no reason why the SNP and Plaid should be involved, they can bring only a couple of seats to the table whilst losing the alliance many seats in England. It should be Labour, the Lib Dems, and the Greens.
So if you vote Lib Dem but you don't support Corbyn and don't want your party taken to the extreme left, who do you vote for?
Awesome Avenger Such a deal probably wouldnt be made under a Corbyn leadership, the Lib Dems wouldnt want to work with him anyway. But if Labour had a new leader who was still left wing but less toxic than Corbyn, then a deal could be reached. There really isnt all that much in a left wing Labour platform that would alienate Farron led Lib Dems.
Rising star in the party, only wish he'd been around longer so he could be a fresh leader for the left
He's very impressive. Will be harder for the media to "do a Corbyn" on a former soldier. If the Labour party is brave enough to stay left wing then he should be the next leader.
Clive Lewis is a top guy.
nope.
Clive Lewis, Angela Rayner and and Rebecca Long-Bailey are three people I have been impressed with over the last few weeks. Good people.
I can see Clive Lewis as future Labour PM
I was at our CLP meeting tonight and it was noticeable that there was not one mention of Scotland or coalition, it is very heartening to hear an MP address both of those issues realistically. This man should be Corbyn's anointed successor.
Nice. I never felt compelled to vote for anything before Jeremy came on the scenes, totally behind him. I feel in safe hands with Jeremy and Clive at the forefront, both trustworthy, capable, well-principled people.
‘I’d much rather work with Caroline Lucas rather than shout at her from the opposition benches.’
‘How can we deal with the rise of the authoritarian right..?’
I really wish the socialist campaign group put Clive forward as the leadership candidate. He was much more palatable to the soft-left than RLB, and he’d quite likely be our leader right now.
I'm Canadian and not entirely familiar with UK politics, so these are good interviews for me to learn :)
Given that any reformist political is only ever going to have limited success in changing the status quo its nice to hear Clive Lewis standing up for his beliefs and demonstrating that honest politicians do exist. Well done Norwich for voting him in.
Before you broached the leadership question with Clive, with full force I saw a future leader. Mainly because it is evident he's not doing it for personal gain and glory. The problem I have is that he can't lead quick enough. We have to cope until he gets there. This is a shame for my daughters, 13 and 17 and our dream for them to at least get an education and chances. Thank you Owen for your work and charm
What a genuinely nice bloke. Cracking interview! :)
How about interviewing leadership candidate Owen Smith?
Watch this space.
which face would you speak to?
+Owen Jones if you interview smith, can you ask him to publish his full tax returns for last 6 years, as any leadership candidate for labour should. & with smith connection to large corporations, can he just confirm that he's not been involved in any offshore business in tax Haven's? it would be a nightmare for any leader if this came out..
Please ask Smith what he and the other 170 MPs opposing Corbyn plan to do if (by which I mean when) Smith loses the leadership election. Will they support or continue to oppose the democratically elected leader of the Labour Party?
+Owen Jones ark owen smith why he bullied a party activist Liza Van Zyl out of PLP, don't wimp out owen, ask the tough questions like your on newsnight!
Wow after listening to so much "trash talk " from politicians on the campaign trail, how refreshing to know that, at least in the British Parliament, there are some fine young politicians who can put a cogent and reasoned argument together and be human with it! We will surely need them. Thanks Clive and Owen for a bit of a spirit lifter.
Superb! This guy is hands on and thoughtful at the same time. He is honest and that's his biggest mistake, because we can't have honest discussions about anything in a democracy. Everything has to be arranged in the background before anyone says a word and god forbid speaks his mind!
It might be a strategic thing. Or a radical honesty.
It mightn't have been a bit tongue in cheek and a back handed compliment that went wrong?
Then things have got to change.
Yes. :-)
What a great treat to see a politician talking like a normal person.
I love him. We need more like him, in general, as well as in Parliament.
Owen I've appreciated the work you've put in to your journalism and writing for a long time, but appreciate it particularly now in the face of the increased criticism for your genuine attempt to further leftist politics and advance the conversation being had, stay positive, you're a credit to your profession.
Thanks Owen well balanced interview. What really needs to happen is the division of the Labour Party. The division of the Conservative party. The creation of a new centre party from both. This will break up the waring factions within each party, and provide real democracy for this country, finally PR or it won't work. Likelihood of this outcome… probably the same as article 50 not being implemented, although it doesn't have to be because it's not a legal mandate.
This will lead to the ruling of the dumbfucks of the center who are unable to do anything but secure the status quo. We have that in Germany for many years now and it has stalled every progressive project. And the center is now collapsing into the 45 percent region, which means there will be no majority to rule for anyone. Real AGW is on the doorstep now and will bring tons of danger to our civil societies and noone is ready to tackle the big questions. With rising temperatures, extreme weather and migration from the south to the lands of consumerism, we will be unable to react in an intelligent way. Right wing populism is already on the rise.
there should be a left wing party that includes corbyn and the greens, a social democratic party that includes the lib dems and most of Labour, a centre right party led by Theresa may, a nationalist party including the snp and pc, and a right wing party including ukip and hard brexit supporting conservatives
This guy talks SENSE.
Never seen this guy interviewed before. Experienced, articulate and not covered on the State broadcaster - the BBC.
I was working in the Houses of Parliament during the last General Election period, and I gotta say Clive Lewis MP is a genuinely lovely guy, and had time for all us support staff there.
Will you be on the Corbyn campaign trail this year Owen?
There may be a very special interview coming soon. Ooooh mysterious.
+Owen Jones possible plot twist being you are a right wing sell out? ;)
+Owen Jones doesn't quite answer the question, a corbyn video doesn't mean you're supporting him. will genuinely be gutted if you're not supporting corbyn Owen, thought you were fighting for us
Jeremy corbyn is bloody stupid lmao
how so?
Owen, you should interview Sarah Champion. As someone who resigned and then rejoined the Shadow Cabinet, she's bound to have an interesting perspective.
owen you walk so strangely
So would you !!
+Jimmy Myers omg 10/10 best comment
This Guy is brilliant .... He should run for Leader of Labour ....and I vote UKIP !!!!!!
He's my MP. What I like and respect about him is having a life before going into politics, and for coming a long way and overcoming adversity.
Yes I agree Geoff ,a man with a very interesting background . You are Lucky to have him as your MP , Mine is Fecking Angela bleeding useless Eagle ,hence my supporting UKIP . At least they want to get rid of our MerseyTunnel Fees ,and bring back Grammer schools in every working class area .
There's a man who's really got his shit together.
He seems like a very nice guy but the idea of Corbyn, McDonnell, Diane Abbott and Clive Lewis etc running the country is ridiculous..
Not in my opinion.
Mine either
Why? People often say things like this, but never explain why.
Andy Dodd because they're amateurs.
+MightyDemocracy My point being you haven't said why. You haven't substantiated your claims in any way.
Excellent interview Owen and delighted to see the fresh voice of the left coming from Clive and other new and exciting Labour MPs being given a platform .....#solidarity
Wow. Very impressive. And refreshingly honest.
Clive Lewis is of the left but could win a General Election. Principles allied with practicality. Also his loyalty does him service.
Can we have the whole interview please
I think what he said was enormously wise and broadly inspiring
hearing Clive speak makes me have hope for the future. he is the type of politician we need more of.
what a great guy. I would totally vote for him as leader. also cabinet members having experience in their field is HUGE. This should be the case for everyone!
At last - for months I've been saying Clive Lewis should succeed Jeremy Corbyn when the latter steps down (please not yet!). Glad Owen thinks so too (in a veiled way). And Jeremy still has more stature and proven integrity than any young successor can ever hope to accrue, partly as he was left on the backbenches. But give Lewis time: he's vital, articulate, fleet in point-making as a row of party lights, but nails an emotional message. He proclaimed New Labour dead and buried when elected in May 2015 and expected to be a backbencher forever. No Owen Smith. And sensible on PR and good coalition. So at the risk of sounding premature, how's Clive Lewis for a future PM?
I remember Clive Lewis as President of the Students' Union at the University of Bradford.
I love these interviews with Labour MPs. But, Owen, please understand that not everyone who is critical of Corbyn is "the right". I have a fair few issues with his leadership, but it's nothing to do with his left-wing stance.
tbf he touches on that in his lisa nandy interview. she makes that kind of argument, think i prefer clive lewis generally but as far as corbyn is concerned i agree with her
I am puzzled, that's not what Owen Jones or his friendly interviewees seem to think!? Not in the interviews here and with Lisa Nandy, to pick on recently uploaded content.
It was something I thought he said in this interview, but I can't find it now. Maybe I misheard. It was an inference rather than a direct statement by referring to opposing sides and the side that backed Corbyn was "the left". I possibly read too much into it because I know he personally backs Corbyn and I keep expecting his own feelings to cloud his objectivity.
Ben Martin Nandy perfectly encompasses my thoughts on Corbyn. It was really refreshing to hear. I'm fed up of getting called a Blairite when I don't join in the Corbyn worship.
Within the Keziah Dugdale interview she talks about not being able to lead without the support of the PLP and in that sense withdraws support while remaining an obvious friend and left wing friend within the party, to Owen Jones. Together, in these videos, I think he's seemed at pains to tread the ground not between left and right, but between different opinions over this thing which is happening in the Labour Party and wider movement that is bigger than Corbyn. It's like he's trying to give us a sense that it might not be the end of the road for the left in the Labour Party and wider interest, that people interested in left coalitions and all kinds of social democracy and social justice, who may or may not be pacifist remain in different camps and in the party whatever happens next. I think Owen is hedging his bets and softening the divide a little, even while he acknowledges the way it's been really easily characterized.
thanks a lot owen your my inspiration!! as always you're doing great work. huge respect!! keep carrying on my brother!!
Really good interview, very honest and open. I don't know a great deal about Lewis' political past but he's impressed me here. Good for him for standing with Corbyn's leadership; he's so right about the self-fulfilling prophecy. I like that sensible back-benchers like this are coming to the front and giving their say. Corbyn, like him or not, has made that happen. It's refreshing!
As soon as Jones sald he was a friend of his, I knew I could never be friend.
Not heard Clive speak before. I am impressed.
Fab interview. Jolly good
No questions on what kind of military spending we should have. No going forward foreign policy discussion.
I'm not typically a fan of Labour, but I would be much more inclined to vote for this guy than Jeremy Corbyn. He seems smart, savvy, and actually has a backbone.
A soldier who has been on the front line and seen war first hand is exactly the kind of person who should be a shadow defence secretary! I hope he will suggest to PM Theresa May what experience she has had at seeing civilian's limbs blown off and soldiers suffering the effects of war before she so flippantly states she has no problem whatsoever of 'pressing buttons' to annihilate human beings.
I think Clive is impressive.
Great interview! a lot of hugging though;) Clive Lewis seems really articulated and he has the left wing policies I could get behind. Honestly I love Corbyn's policies but his competence as a Leader is trying, I understand that the right wing media has presented a distorted view but some times it gets trying. For example what the fuck was John McDonnell thinking bringing Mao's little red book into the HoC!?!?!
Plus Clive has my haircut so he obviously is stylish and can relate to the people:D
Didn't know having a haircut was so powerful
#kenmattelforPM #actionmanforPM
If you don't know why he brought Mao's little book to the despatch box then you should probably try to find out.
You could make a drinking game out of how many times you said 'you know' at the end :p
Good interview :)
100% correct when he says the most realistic way back into power is a left-wing alliance, especially while Scotland is lost to the SNP.
Great to hear from Clive Lewis, seems very enlightened and grounded guy. Like his views on PR. Look forward to hearing more from him. But do stop bigging up the bad and bogiemonstrous Conservative Party 'the most effective political force on earth' my foot. If they were then I don't think the EU Referendum would have gone the way it did!!!!
As a lifelong lib Dem, this man could cause me to go labour. Labour's imperialist attitudes to other parties, support of FPTP, antienvironmentalism and banging on about the NHS has always put me off.
Hello from an East Midlander in Bradford!! (who thinks it really really wasn't very nice if that standout quote that made it to the video title was really how it was, yet I found I welcomed the honesty)
I was thinking who the hell is this guy....then he spoke 👏
What a breath of fresh air this guy is! As for Owen Smith, he's just another Establishment plant
andy hornett, "What a breath of fresh air this guy is!" .If the smell of mothballs are your idea of fresh air, then your political judgement must be seriously impaired.
He is a breath of fresh air. Real Labour needs to come back. We are sick of New Labour and its poison.
It's a pity that you have no idea what "real Labour" is!
But I do. It's true democratic socialism. This was about the time of Labour's inception and right through until 1997.
Can you explain what "true Labour" is ?
My MP! watched him debate at UEA before the election
Full interview!
Didn't know Clive before, so excited to have someone like this in the party a social justice "safe pair of hands" maybe? Hell yeah potential leader. Would have liked to know more about his opinion on trident.
Nice to hear from a Labour MP who "gets" whats going on.
im SNP and Clive Lewis gets it. Let Scotland go, and it will have it's own fresh equilibrium of left of centre progressivism.
I don't believe his positions on why he joined the TA. It's not my place to criticise his choice, because his motivations are personal. But I find it troubling.
I would support ort Clive or Rebecca long baily for leader. Clive is my favourite
What a GREAT guy!!! He is a GREAT asset to the Labour Left!
Always been a big fan of Clive; although I don't agree with all of his politics, he's a really decent bloke. Think he's done a fantastic job as my local MP & yeah, I could see him going for leader at some point.
I've been a longtime supporter of Jeremy Corbyn - and I do hope he wins the next election - but if he doesn't, I would very much like to see Clive Lewis as his successor. This is a man who I believe can carry on Corbyn's legacy and be seen as much more electable in the Labour Party.
Clive is the kind of authentic politician we all want to see more of.
I just get the impression from his off comment about Orange Bookers and the way the tories were characterised generally that he's succumbed to the temptation of seeing some of the dichotomies in black and white.
More cross party understanding is a useful thing, not just among progressives!
Woooooohooooooo!!!!!! JC showed em, he's bloody brilliant! The LP's manifesto is costed and achievable, if you bother to listen to any of the greatest economics specialists in the world.
Lot of talk about Labour being potentially wiped out if Corbyn is leader in a general election. Nobody seems be talking about Labour if Corbyn is forced out by the PLP working against their own party & members. I think a lot of people are seriously underestimating the impact on the party that would have.
Potentially, unions, CLP members & hundreds of thousands of paying members turning away. Swing & UKIP voters could see the party as toxic and full of careerists.
Clive is definitely one for the future. As a neutral, I think the best thing for Labour at the moment is to keep Corbyn and embrace this growth of the membership. Corbyn will get better once he hasn't got 550 MPs & entire MSM on his case 24/7. He needs a new deputy who he can trust and delegate a lot more powers to.
Big fan of Clive Lewis. Would make a great labour leader.
They both talk entirely in cliches. Lewis will never be more to politics than Jones is to journalism. A pair of nullities.
I think Lewis is the real deal, and I like him very much. Thank you for the interview, Owen. Well done! :)
Whats the name of the song used at the beginning? Oh and a really interesting interview Owen!
Thanks Owen. I'm glad I got to gain an insight into Clive Lewis, previously was just a name to me. I agree with you, he very well may have a promising future, potential leader perhaps. I particularly agree with his views about a greater alliance of the parties, ultimately politics should be cooperative, its about compromise and not tyranny by a minority.
Very impressive interview, fantastic appointment from JC. This guy has a big future…..
I really hope Mr Lewis runs for leader in my lifetime! He has my full support.
I'm on the right of the party & like really Clive Lewis. I agreed with a lot of the stuff that he said and believe that he does have a bright future ahead of him. However polling does indicate that if there was a snap general election, he would lose his seat. :(
Clive Lewis is bae
wtf is wrong with you
+Pans Labyrinth directed at you
He's got a better chance as future leader of the Fine Young Cannibals than the Labour Party.
Smart guy with some good life experience, and he talks like a human being rather than a human spin machine. I'll probably vote for Owen Smith this time around, but I'd back Clive if he ran without a doubt.
I voted for Corbyn, but I knew he wouldn't be electable. I wanted him to rebuild the party and hand over to a more charismatic protege. Clive Lewis was my first choice. He still is.
Time to hit the gym Owen! Cut and bulk.
We can't all have guns like Aaron Bastani
as clive says changing the leader will not change the party's electoral prospects.
many of the new members of the party illo leave again if jeremy is not re-elected/
this challenge was obviously pre-planned by thoroughly disgusting self-interested career politicians who saw a threat to their comfortable existence. Disenfranchising new members (who will almost certainly support jeremy) shows that the party hierarchy is complicit in this treachery.
Jeremy will still probably win and we as a party shoulod start to weed out those elements that are not really Labour people, who joined in the bliarite dogdays - DESELECT the lot of them!
Great Interview, felt rather balanced to me.
Only just noticed the MJJ Man in the Mirror quote at the end lol. Looked accidental. But possibly steered that way for the lols.
I'm willing to support Jeremy Corbyn if he's the Labour leader but I think Owen Smith has a better chance at winning a general election. We have to agree to have some differences going forward otherwise our only choice in the future is a right wing one. We're better than this and we're stronger when we're united.
Clive seems like a really articulate bloke. Do you think Jeremy should adopt his stance on PR, Owen? And do YOU ever want to be Labour leader?
Sigh. Calling someone Articulate is not a compliment.
+leonwoodley99 Yes it is. It only becomes an insult when used condescendingly, or when it comes with a qualifier like "articulate for a woman". But in general use, being articulate is a positive quality.
+leonwoodley99 "using language easily and fluently; having facility with words: an articulate speaker.
expressed, formulated, or presented with clarity and effectiveness: an articulate thought.
made clear, distinct, and precise in relation to other parts: an articulate form; an articulate shape; an articulate area.
(of ideas, form, etc.) having a meaningful relation to other parts: an articulate image.
having parts or distinct areas organized into a coherent or meaningful whole; unified: an articulate system of philosophy." Do you have nothing better to do than scroll through comments and correct people's grammar? Lol
Yes, what's happening in the Labour party is bigger than a single man. Part of Corbyn's appeal is that he would also say that. It would be a shame to underestimate the enormous strength it's taken to get socialist ideas back on the table and have them listened to despite the best attempts of the media - (if Ed put any of them there before, the basic problems and solutions were nothing like as clear - few of us at that point had even started to get our heads round anti-austerity, probably because it wasn't being sold honestly). It's easier to have socialist principles at the beginning of a career than it is to have retained them through thick and thin. And honed, resilient principles and honesty to the electorate are not a luxury in a socialist leader. They are essential.There are advantages to age - grey hair is not necessarily something to be sniffed at or mocked.
Rising star of the Labour party - if he was on the ballot I'd strongly consider voting for him. Thing is anyone who is anywhere near as good as Corbyn is far too decent a person to callously challenge his leadership. Definitely got my vote in the future though
I see a labour/SNP coalition...sturgeon and corbyn...awesome..
That would by terrible sturgeon would ask for yearly referendums and it would turn English and Welsh voters away because they would see labour as wanting to break up the union
scottish socilast i think with corbyn as pm snp and england will be more united..and both have alot of support among the people as long as everything is negotiated and on the table beforehand and no one turns out to be a snake..it will be a good relationship..both share many common views..they can bounce off each other well (no pun intended)..
the SNP are snakes they will trick Labour into giving Scotland more referendums and drive the northern English to ukip and the welsh to ukip or the conservatives labour is facing extension a union with the SNP will be the nail in the coffin
scottish socilast it is a risk yes..it is a risk..but both want the nasty party out...so there will need to be co-operation to some degree if either want any power anytime soon..snp should have another referendum and if unsuccessful again they should stop pushing the referendum agenda..put it to bed..
sturgeon said she would destroy labour in Scotland id rather have the conservatives in than the SNP if you were Scottish Labour you would know that they are worse than Thatcher
The country would be in safe hands under Lewis. Hopefully we will see him as a successor to Corbyn's run as Prime Minister. The future looks very bright and the current fight will have been a fight worth having.
He's good and I do think he has a lot of potential. Talks sense:)
When he says he has his preferences over PR does he mean straight PR is his preference, or might he be thinking about STV systems?