Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour leader in 2015, and again in 2016, with support from members, partly on a pledge to involve the rank and file more closely in policymaking, as part of a “democratisation” of the party. If Labour is seen to ignore the wishes of its members on a fundamental issue, the backlash could be ugly. “Hell hath no fury like a party member scorned,” says Professor Tim Bale, who points out that Tony Blair was idolised by members before they turned strongly against him.
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