Corbyn supporter Owen Jones labelled 'Blairite traitor' for criticising current leadership

'Blairite': Corbyn supporters label Owen Jones as a traitor
Rex
Jamie Micklethwaite1 August 2016

Outspoken columnist Owen Jones has been labelled as a “Blairite traitor” over his fears about "oblivion" for Labour despite being a longstanding backer of Jeremy Corbyn.

The Guardian columnist and left-wing enthusiast has written a blog about how the Labour party is “facing a crisis”.

Mr Jones has long been a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, and has shared the stage with the Labour leader on many occasions.

He wrote: “As Jeremy Corbyn is surrounded by cheering crowds, Labour generally, and the left specifically, are teetering on the edge of looming calamity.

He added: “A snap election is entirely plausible, and – as things stands, thanks to the actions of all sides of the Labour party – Labour faces electoral oblivion.”

Throughout the blog, Mr Jones questions the current direction of the party and the lack of media strategy in the campaign.

He accused the Labour leader of going missing throughout key political moments including Theresa May being appointed as Prime Minister and hate crimes following the EU referendum result.

He added that the party was facing a crisis that could not be solved by the mass Corbyn rallies going on around the country.

He wrote: “And that’s why it feels like I’m at a party on the edge of a crumbling cliff.

“As things stand, all the evidence suggests that Labour – and the left as a whole – is on the cusp of total disaster.

“Call me a Blairite, Tory, Establishment stooge, careerist, sellout, whatever makes you feel better.

“The situation is extremely grave and unless satisfactory answers are offered, we are nothing but the accomplices of the very people we oppose.”

After releasing the blog, Corbynites were quick to criticise Mr Jones for questioning the Labour leader, labelling him as a “Blairite”.

But Mr Jones separated himself from attacks on the Labour leader, saying his criticism comes from wanting the party to succeed.

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