Past Present Future Now & Then with Robert Saunders: From Kinnock to Corbyn to Starmer
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Oct 1, 2025 Robert Saunders, a historian and expert on British politics, delves into the evolution of the Labour Party from Kinnock to Starmer. He explores whether Jeremy Corbyn's rise was a comeback of the 'Loony Left' and assesses the differences between Momentum and Militant. The discussion touches on how Cold War fears shaped leftist politics and the impact of grassroots activism on party democracy. Saunders also warns of the risks splinter parties pose to Labour and reflects on how the lessons from 1980s Liverpool could resonate with modern American politics.
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Cold War's End Curtailed Radical Imagination
- The end of the Cold War shrank the imaginative space for radical left politics.
- Without a rival system, claims that capitalism must be replaced lost persuasive force.
Militant Leaders Took Unexpected Paths
- Militant figures dispersed after leaving entryism and took varied public roles like media and business.
- Derek Hatton became a talk-show host while Ted Grant formed Socialist Appeal, showing factional sprawl.
Corbyn Benefited From Blurred Faction Labels
- Corbynism drew on Bennite traditions, not Militant Trotskyism, and benefitted from faded factional labels.
- Tony Blair's framing of 'old Labour' enabled opponents to claim they represented a lost mainstream.