There are few more pitiful sights than that of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking in support of Britain’s continued membership of the European Union.
Watching him on such occasions reminds one of a hostage video where a staged confession is broadcast.
For many people Corbyn’s one saving grace was his authenticity.
You might disagree with him, so went the reasoning, but at least you could trust him to tell the truth as he saw it.
His views might be extreme, but at least they were consistent.
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Yet when it comes to the EU it is painfully apparent that Corbyn doesn’t believe a word he is saying.
In his heart, he backs Brexit.
Back in 2011 he tweeted: “26 EU Governments hand economic power to unelected Commission. EU wants to protect privilege of City. Who is defending workers jobs and services?”
26 EU Govts hand economic power to unelected Commission. EU wants to protect privelege of City. Who is defending workers jobs and services?
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) December 10, 2011
He also used to say: “A European bureaucracy totally unaccountable to anybody. Powers have gone from national parliaments.”
Corbyn's views on the EU. pic.twitter.com/zg3kTg89N9
— LEAVE.EU (@LeaveEUOfficial) April 14, 2016
Yet Corbyn now claims the case for the UK remaining in the EU is “overwhelming”.
Corbyn’s mentor, Tony Benn, once advised that when meeting a powerful person one can reasonably ask them five questions: “What power do you have; where did you get it; in whose interests do you exercise it; to whom are you accountable; and how can we get rid of you?”
Benn concluded: “Anyone who cannot answer the last of those questions does not live in a democratic system.”
Peter Brookes in the Times pic.twitter.com/PKIWvXfmaH
— Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) June 3, 2016
That is the key objection to the European Commissioners – we can’t get rid of them.
Indeed, not only is the entire set-up undemocratic, it is uniquely anti-democratic.
Those appointed as commissioners are often those who have actually been voted out of office in their own countries.
Chris Patten, who became a commissioner in the 1990s despite not having been elected to political office since 1987, is a case in point.
So why has Corbyn done it?
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Few suppose for a moment that he has really changed his mind on the EU question. And he has been willing to defy his fellow Labour MPs on other issues, so why not on this?
The problem for him is that he needs to retain the support of Labour Party members to survive as leader. His fate is in their hands.
If Corbyn’s critics thought that in a leadership challenge he would be voted out they would mount a coup tomorrow. To thwart them, Corbyn needs to keep in with the membership – most of whom back Remain.
So much for Corbyn’s promise of “new politics”. The issue of democratic principle that was his objection to the EU is cast aside.
Instead, it is all about party management – just what David Cameron was accused of in agreeing to hold the referendum in the first place.
Corbyn has sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.
What a cynical, pathetic figure he cuts in this referendum campaign. Small wonder he keeps out of it as much as he can.
