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Amidst all the crises of centre-right parties, otherwise known as social democratic parties, it is interesting to plot how and where centrists go for occasions for hope. I noted two significant pilgrimages in this regard. The Labour Rightist Mayor of London went to pay homage to Justin Trudeau. His visit was then followed by that of the Leader of the Australian Party Bill Shorten. I know virtually nothing about Canadian politics and generally they do not figure largely on the Australian scene or on this list! But why has Trudeau emerged as the Great White Hope of the Mayor of London and the Leader of her Majesty's opposition in Australia? He offers, I take it, some kind of mild Keynesianism as a way of relief from the brutalities of neoliberalism. He is also charismatic, exudes charm and is able to talk about quantum computers. Wow!! He has the kind of ease and confidence of the ruling class that seems so conspicuously missing from the Presidential contest south of the Canadian border. >From the British perspective he has the advantage of not being Corbyn. The latter bearded and scruffy, God bless him, does not rate highly on the smooth and charismatic scale. Sadiq Khan would go anywhere not to be photographed with Corbyn. In Australia there is not a cheep about Corbyn from any section of the Labor Party. Shorten is like Khan in that he seems happy not to acknowledge Corbyn's existence. But perhaps, just maybe, Corbynism will be publicly acknowledged here outside the Green Left Weekly circle as a political phenomenon that Australians have something to learn from. We'll see comradely Gary _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
