Although he has been selective in how he applies it, Jeremy Corbyn believes in the power of the political mandate: politicians represent the people who voted for them, and should therefore carry out their wishes. Thus he staved off repeated efforts to depose him as Labour leader by reference to the mandate given him by a majority of Labour party members who took part in the leadership elections. Asked about his present policies, he quotes the recent Labour manifesto, rather as many Muslims might quote the Qu’ran.
Those trying to make sense of Mr Corbyn’s recent ascendancy will miss the full picture if they discount this key aspect of his political philosophy.
05 July 2017, The Tablet
A true political believer
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