I sense you have a bee in your bonnet about the registered supporters' scheme, so perhaps I should remind you (again) that it was a Blairite initiative, and a miscalculation of proportions so epic as to be genuinely delusional. The irony remains delicious, even after everything that has happened since. Obviously Starmer is smart enough to have learned that extending the party franchise outwards takes the party leftwards - his counter-move was to try and restore the electoral college, which enabled a handful of MPs to veto what members want. Only in Newspeak can this count as any 'form of democracy'.
Whoever decided it, it was a bad idea imo, in the same way as the union block vote was a bad idea. To be allowed a say in the running of a political party should require some demonstration of commitment e.g. minimum period of fee-paying membership. The internet and social media makes it much easier for concerted campaigns (even malevolent ones) to have a large impact.
Jeremy Corbyn won 40% of the vote in 2017 because he offered popular policies and hope.
And he was up against Theresa May, who even the Tories got rid of.
Starmer was the architect of Labour's electorally disastrous second referendum policy at the 2019 election.
What happened to executive responsibility. I thought Corbyn was in charge of policy as Leader of the party. Yes, it was bad advice and PR for Starmer to support a second referendum, but by doing that wasn't he sticking to his principles, which many say he has not done?
The anyone-but-Corbyn brigade aren't so great when it comes to owning the political situation they've created
You are right. As one who was not Corbyn's greatest fan it should have been 'almost anyone but Corbyn'. In hindsight Burnham would have been a much better choice in 2015 but the Corbyn bandwagon was too strong at that stage, before people realised he didn't have the ability to steer it. I accept my part in believing that Starmer was a better leader, and would have voted for him if I were still a party member. He has been very disappointing. It must be remembered that Corbyn was not kicked out but made a principled resignation because of the many electoral losses under his tenure. What else could he have done?
It should also be noted that Starmer is slowly getting more support in public polls, although that must be taken in the context of the disaster that is Johnson.
But do you see the large number of expulsions of members that joined during Corbyn's leadership as reasonable too ?
If you are talking about members of the groups proscribed by the NEC being expelled then I have no problem with that. Were those members who joined during Corbyn's leadership Labour supporters or people who may have seen the opportunity to move the party further to the left under the cult of "Oh Jeremy Corbyn"? AIUI many have left anyway since his defeat and the harsh reality of grown-up politics hitting, which is no great demonstration of their commitment.
I would not comment on individual cases without knowing the details.
