Old Labour salutes its man of integrity
Published: 16 April 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB
on the invasion of politics’ Big Guns
IT WAS a tale of two meetings. Islington South MP Emily Thornberry welcomed Olympics minister Tessa Jowell to a strictly New Labour official launch of her campaign at her Barnsbury HQ on Sunday.
Supporters ate red-themed food, waved red banners and listened to rousing speeches.
Over in Archway the following day, bright red was less obvious but the Old Labour allegiances were much more prominent at the meeting to adopt Jeremy Corbyn, Islington North MP for 27 years, as candidate once again. Mr Corbyn threw open the doors of Caxton House, allowing all and sundry to witness Labour veteran Tony Benn officially pick him as Labour candidate – and they came in droves.
A steel band played, fond speeches were made and the slightly shabby hall was packed with adoring fans of Mr Corbyn, who has defied his party whip 210 times.
The words “a man of integrity” were uttered over and over, and one Labour insider whispered: “This is nothing like Emily Thornberry’s launch.”
At one point, broadcaster Alex Pascall broke off from his speech to sing a tribute to Mr Corbyn, with the 200-plus audience joining in a calypso chant of “Jeremy”.
Mr Benn said: “Jeremy is one of the very best MPs I know, if not the best. He’s very conscientious, committed, consistent, serious. He also has a very wide global view. Latin America he knows very well.
“I’ve been to his adoption meetings before and what struck me was the affection in which he is held. People really like him very much indeed. I’ve known him for more than 20 years. I’ve a lot of time for him.”
Mr Benn called for the end of the Trident missile programme, and added: “I don’t agree with lots of Labour policies. I never agreed with New Labour. I thought it was a completely new political party but I never joined it.”
On the outcome of the election, Mr Benn said: “I don’t forecast the future. My job is to try and influence the outcome. But I think it’s much more open than people believe. I don’t think it’s settled at all. People are going to think very seriously and carefully about what they do and I’m hoping there will be a clear Labour victory.”
Barrister Helena Kennedy revealed how she and Mr Corbyn once broke into a broom cupboard in the Houses of Parliament and put up a plaque tribute to suffragette Emily Davidson.
Baroness Kennedy said: “Emily Davidson had locked herself in a broom cupboard and was able to claim on the night of the [1911] census her address was the Houses of Parliament.”
She added: “We went in one night with a tool kit, drill and plaque, which said this is where Emily Davidson spent the night, and it’s still there.”
She made a plea to Labour supporters of Mr Corbyn not to be complacent, adding: “People shouldn’t be saying he’s going to win anyway. We need to make sure he goes back with a thumping majority so that people will say this is the kind of politician we want.”
Local Labour Party chairman Gary Heather said: “Jeremy is our biggest asset in Islington. He’s probably the most sincere person I’ve ever met.”
London Assembly member Jennette Arnold added: “I’ve got just one thing to say: that man is what it says on the tin.”
At Ms Thornberry’s adoption meeting the day before, the press were asked to come after the speeches. Her office was packed with Labour activists, who drank Ribena and ate strawberry cup cakes to keep the red theme going.
Ms Jowell said: “Emily is one of the really respected MPs at Westminster and somebody who always speaks for her constituents.
“Emily is an outstanding MP and deserves all the support she has locally.” She paid tribute to the work of the opposition Labour group at the Town Hall, saying the introduction of free school meals for primary school children would be followed by the rest of the country.