Like Wenger, Corbyn's defeat will be respun as doing well

[Yesterday Once More]

Labour will lose seats tonight, from an already low base, and against a background of a very unconvincing campaign by the incumbent.

But you can bet your bottom dollar the narrative of the evening among the press as well as Corbynistas will be how their man has exceeded all expectations and got Labour playing exciting tippy-tappy policy again.

What they won't acknowledge is that this has been his "I agree with Nick" moment, the high water mark of left-wing socialism, and if he signs another contract/fights another election he won't win it and Labour will be set back another generation.

All sounds familiar to Arsenal fans!

[Burney]

Labour will lose seats tonight, from an already low base, and against a background of a very unconvincing campaign by the incumbent.

But you can bet your bottom dollar the narrative of the evening among the press as well as Corbynistas will be how their man has exceeded all expectations and got Labour playing exciting tippy-tappy policy again.

What they won't acknowledge is that this has been his "I agree with Nick" moment, the high water mark of left-wing socialism, and if he signs another contract/fights another election he won't win it and Labour will be set back another generation.

All sounds familiar to Arsenal fans!

Yes. The best possible outcome is a healthy tory majority and Jez being able to point to an increased vote as proof of his popularity.

[Ash]

Labour will lose seats tonight, from an already low base, and against a background of a very unconvincing campaign by the incumbent.

But you can bet your bottom dollar the narrative of the evening among the press as well as Corbynistas will be how their man has exceeded all expectations and got Labour playing exciting tippy-tappy policy again.

What they won't acknowledge is that this has been his "I agree with Nick" moment, the high water mark of left-wing socialism, and if he signs another contract/fights another election he won't win it and Labour will be set back another generation.

All sounds familiar to Arsenal fans!

From the rough treatment he'd been getting from all quarters prior to the election (including his own party and the small sections of the press that support his party) I would say that any kind of holding-on to whatever they've got would be like a trophy.

[Darren's Dodgy Denim]

Somehow Top Four doesn't have the same zing to it in political terms, as opposed to in football.

[World's End Stella]

Yes. The best possible outcome is a healthy tory majority and Jez being able to point to an increased vote as proof of his popularity.

Even if Labour lose badly, can you see Corbyn stepping aside? And aren't the flaws in Labour's voting process that allowed him to be elected leader still in place?

I can see Corbyn still being the Labour leader pretty much no matter what the result is tonight.

[Mo Britain less Europe]

How many trophies has Corbyn won???

If he performs worse than Foot did in 1983 he has to go. If he doesn't there will be another SDP-type split. Simple.

[Luis Anaconda]

Even if Labour lose badly, can you see Corbyn stepping aside? And aren't the flaws in Labour's voting process that allowed him to be elected leader still in place?

I can see Corbyn still being the Labour leader pretty much no matter what the result is tonight.

Sadly, you're probably right. The excuses have already been made ( but everybody loves our policies it's just that they are too thick to realise it and are swayed by a vicious media), the treacherous Blairites must be purged and Jeremy will surge to victory whenever the mad old bat in no 10 randomly decides to throw another election

[Burney]

Sadly, you're probably right. The excuses have already been made ( but everybody loves our policies it's just that they are too thick to realise it and are swayed by a vicious media), the treacherous Blairites must be purged and Jeremy will surge to victory whenever the mad old bat in no 10 randomly decides to throw another election

The left waited 30 years to get their hands back on the levers of power. They aren't likely to give them up without a fight. Only absolute electoral armageddon was going to shift Corbyn. Otherwise, he'll be able to point at his vote share and hang on.