Escaping tribalism . . .

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.
-Oscar Ameringer

This quote, from a nineteenth century socialist from Oklahoma, came to me by way of a transatlantic cousin, and it is worth repeating. It is much more than a witticism, but is an ever constant truth, and one which, if it could be quantified, is 80% of where the Labour Party is today (some might query that, suggesting it is where Labour always was but I would dispute that in turn). 

Now it seems Diane Abbot has advised Corbyn against setting up a new left party, saying the first past the post voting system will give it short shrift. I wonder what she thinks is going on? Doesn't the Labour Party these days give the left short shrift? Diane is trapped in her political tribalism. Perhaps electoral reform is one area where the new left party, and all the other political titches might agree with Fartage's platform.