# How the far right is manipulating the public | Jeremy Corbyn Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoGU4sjLC-0 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/MoGU4sjLC-0 Generated: 2026-02-12T16:41:49.871+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Jeremy Corbyn asserts that the far-right gains support primarily due to de-industrialization, lack of state investment in forgotten towns, and the subsequent misleading appeal by the far-right blaming immigration, while lamenting that mainstream social democratic forces have moved rightward, creating a vacuum filled by right-wing populism. **Key Points:** - Corbyn attributes the rise of far-right parties to de-industrialization across Europe, leading to high unemployment and a loss of status in former industrial towns without replacement high-quality jobs. - He claims the far-right cleverly links poverty resulting from state neglect to immigration, describing this correlation as "utter nonsense" but "very clever smart populism." - Corbyn criticized the current Labour leadership under Keir Starmer, stating Starmer used the same rhetoric as Enoch Powell in 1968 regarding strangers in the country, causing widespread alarm among long-time members. - During his leadership, Corbyn experienced extreme media hostility, noting that 92% of the media were hostile, citing an instance where he was falsely accused of stealing food from military veterans after receiving a free coffee and cake. - Corbyn faced significant internal opposition within the Parliamentary Labour Party hierarchy, noting appointees attacked him via social media during Shadow Cabinet meetings, leading to rebellions and leadership challenges. - He emphasizes that sticking to core principles like peace, justice, and inclusion is essential in politics, otherwise, a politician becomes disconnected from their electorate like an Edmund Burke figure. - Corbyn revealed his removal from the Labour Party membership in July via a "two-line email" and a subsequent note suggesting contacting the Samaritans after 55 years in the party. **Context:** The transcript captures an interview with former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn discussing his political principles, his difficult tenure as leader, and his analysis of the rising support for far-right political parties across Europe. The conversation addresses the challenges of maintaining principle against political pressure, the internal dynamics of the Labour Party during his leadership, and the societal roots of right-wing populism, contrasting these issues with the current direction of the Labour Party under Keir Starmer. ## Detailed Analysis Jeremy Corbyn argues that political success requires adherence to core principles such as peace, justice, and social change, emphasizing that democracy demands accountability to the electorate, contrasting this with a parliamentary system designed to pull politicians toward the status quo. He recounts significant challenges faced during his time as a backbencher, including intense backlash for advocating for the peace process in Ireland and campaigning for the wrongly convicted Guildford Four, which taught him about establishment power and media hostility. Becoming Labour leader involved mobilizing a massive base against austerity, but he underestimated the "malevolence and opposition" from the Labour Party hierarchy, who attempted to isolate him from his supporters. Corbyn identifies de-industrialization and lack of state investment as the root cause of discontent in forgotten towns, which the far-right exploits by falsely blaming immigration, noting that mainstream social democratic parties have also moved rightward, creating a gap the far-right fills. He is "totally alarmed" by the current Labour direction, citing Starmer's use of Enoch Powell's language on immigration and policy shifts like cutting foreign aid while increasing defense spending, contrasting this with his own commitment to diversity and the vital contribution of migrants, exemplified by his intervention in Parliament regarding the need for African nurses and Asian doctors in the NHS. Corbyn concludes by stressing the need for a community-based political operation focused on local needs rather than scapegoating minorities, and he confirms he was removed from Labour membership via a brief email. ### Corbyn's Political Philosophy - Sticking to principles of peace, justice, inclusion, and sustainability forms the core of political activity - Democracy requires accountability, fighting the parliamentary system's tendency to drift toward the status quo - He advises potential politicians must have a clear answer for why they want to enter parliament. ### Experiences on the Backbenches - He recalls encouragement from Tam Dalyell to "never be afraid of being unpopular" - Corbyn campaigned for the Guildford Four and Birmingham Six, enduring massive abuse for asserting Paul Hill's innocence - This experience revealed the power of the establishment. ### Leadership Challenges - Corbyn became leader when the membership felt the official Labour offer in 2015 was not sufficiently different from austerity policies - His campaign mobilized people on an alternative vision, winning with 250,000 votes initially - He faced immediate opposition and isolation attempts from the Labour Party hierarchy, including hostile social media activity during Shadow Cabinet meetings. ### Analysis of Far-Right Rise - The core cause is de-industrialization and the state's failure to replace high-skilled jobs - The far-right uses "smart populism" to falsely link poverty to immigration, ignoring systemic economic failure - Social Democratic forces across Europe have moved right, leaving a gap the far-right temporarily fills. ### Critique of Current Labour Direction - Corbyn is "totally alarmed" by Starmer's direction, particularly rhetoric echoing Enoch Powell on immigration - He points out the hypocrisy of deporting social care workers while facing 130,000 vacancies - He notes the party is cutting foreign aid while increasing defense spending and ignoring the need for peace discussions regarding global conflicts. ### Media Hostility and Internal Conflict - During his tenure, 92% of the media were hostile, exemplified by false reporting on him stealing coffee and cake - He faced internal sabotage, including members attacking him on social media during official meetings - He was ultimately removed from the party membership via a short email after 55 years.