(30 Apr 2020, 7:04 pm)Adrian wrote It wasn't because they liked Boris - it was an election won and lost on Brexit, with unfortunately many of what we'd consider 'core' Labour voters, feeling let down and disenfranchised with the Party's position on Brexit. It was an awful position; cobbled together to try and suit as many different groupings as possible, rather than having a simple (and democratic) policy. The leader not firmly committing one way or the other wasn't helpful either.
It is nonsense that Corbyn went 'all in' on the student vote. That couldn't be further from the truth. There was more in the manifesto for working people and workers rights, which IMO, were some of the best policies we had. A problem was that the policy messages were too complex and too long term, rather than focusing on a couple of key measures in each policy grouping. Whether we like it or not, Boris won with one simple message - "Get Brexit done" - you couldn't get away from that.
It may be that you saw less Labour signs than previously, but having seen the data, it would be factually incorrect to suggest there was in County Durham.
I don't think the majority were 'embarrassed' to vote Labour because of the leader and this can be seen from the number of votes cast, but the reasons above apply as to why this didn't turn into success. I also don't think we'll see much of a shift under Keir Starmer, even once he turns up to work (where is he?)
Oh and its funny that the "magic money tree" has been found as of late.
There's no doubt Brexit definitely played it's part, but I think the reason why they won by such a huge majority is down to Corbyn. People just didn't trust him to run a country.
For me, the issue with Labour's manifesto was that it just seemed like there were too many promises. It didn't matter if it was affordable, it /looked/ far fetched. Like you say, if they had focused on a couple key measures it would have been a lot more palatable.