Alexei Sayle: There's a McCarthyite assault on Jeremy Corbyn and the left

[@OwenJonesTalks]

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[@magnuscliffard4631]

Wouldn’t it be better if you tried to get the right wing media on your side? The most successful period for Labour during the last 40 years was when you had the backing of papers like the Sun.

[@stephenreynolds3079]

@@magnuscliffard4631 You could also sell your soul to the devil.

[@magnuscliffard4631]

​@@stephenreynolds3079 Better that than being in opposition until at least 2029.

[@stephenreynolds3079]

@@magnuscliffard4631 You think so. Not much difference between New Labour and the Tories. But if you like Purgatory thats the place for you.

[@magnuscliffard4631]

​@@stephenreynolds3079 Brown wasn’t a great PM. He should’ve called an Autumn general election in 2007, he didn’t, and Labour paid the price. Furthermore, when he left office the country was in a terrible mess and Labour had the support of less than 30% of the electorate. His predecessor Blair was far more successful, winning 3 general elections. So many achievements were made, be it on Northern Ireland or gay rights. If you contrast that to Labour in the past 10 years, first under the leadership of Miliband and then under the leadership of Corbyn, what have we achieved? The last 3 general elections Labour have lost, despite it being predicted for years that Miliband would win the 2015 General Election. We’ve spent the last 10 years in opposition. Labour was better under Blair. FACT

[@gw8147]

Jeremy Corbin is not an anti Semite, nor did he ever promote it in any way. Criticising Israel's treatment of the Palestinians is not anti semitism.

[@djdoolittle1315]

be like, dont mention the P word

[@davidtanslow3584]

Agreed, however, it does make me wonder who is sponsoring and guiding this new leader!!!

[@KymHammond]

@@davidtanslow3584 I do.

[@mitchmichaelcoburn1577]

Never heard an Israeli express the desire to wipe Palestinians from the face of the earth, but I hear it constantly from Palestinians and the rest of the Middle East. Jeremy Corbyn should stop kidding himself that he can change the world, forget Das Kapital, check his ego, re-learn some morality and get on with serving his constituents properly.

[@gw8147]

@@mitchmichaelcoburn1577 like Boris Johnson is doing I suppose??

[@justininfrance]

Alexei makes Jones look like Michael Gove. Great to see him hold Jones's feet to the fire and make him squirm on anti-semitism. Thank you Alexei.

[@shootemupshootemdown]

jones is a reporter he needs the work , so he's got to be careful

[@richardwilliams3308]

Owen was putting alexi right

[@alexharrison9340]

@@richardwilliams3308 Alexei Sayle was comradely putting Owen left.

[@adampeters7947]

@@shootemupshootemdown So do Jonathan Cook and Nathan Robinson... Sometimes it just comes down to, 'which side are you on?'

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@richardwilliams3308 Owen was squirming like a schoolboy.

[@denisegeake2112]

I'm proud to be one of the 20% of the older generation that supported Jeremy Corbyn!

[@VaucluseVanguard]

Proud to be in the 80%

[@davidrobinson2776]

Me too, mate. They couldn’t buy or corrupt him so a smear campaign was the only option. What are they scared of?

[@atomiccritter6492]

@@davidrobinson2776 authorities do not like genuine change

[@petertyson1112]

As am I. I resigned from the Party when he was suspended.

[@rigsby86]

Has the Guardian threatened to sack you if you agree antisemitism was weaponised or have you just assumed they would?

[@fidomusic]

Nathan L. Richardson: hold my beer.

[@Bansell262]

Ask it on Twitter to get Jones to block you. Join the club.

[@barryr2167]

Spot on mate

[@fredatlas4396]

Before the last election I sent emails to Kier Starmer about my concerns that they would loose the election if they didn't step up their game. And I also voiced my concerns about this antisemism smear campaign, but I didn't even get a reply

[@MrKbonez]

@@Bansell262 He's probably got more blocked than followers

[@sueharper581]

Alexei Sayle the man is a legend

[@stephenpiper5604]

Watching Owen Jones squirm over the anti semitism issue, and specifically his acceptance of the idea that the left is worse, looks to me like someone too fearful of losing his job at the Guardian.

[@stephenpiper5604]

Working for that paper will necessarily cloud one's thinking.

[@Wybowazza]

@@stephenpiper5604 That's exactly why he struggles to be coherent..

[@djdoolittle1315]

save it Enoch

[@stephenpiper5604]

@@djdoolittle1315 Enoch? I think you may have mixed up your political references here, which is exactly what the racist right wing attackers of the left intended you to do.

[@Wybowazza]

@@djdoolittle1315 Ah Enoch Edwards an ex Coal Miner, Trade Unionist and Labour MP ----- a hero to us all.

[@nixx5952]

Sayle on Starmer... "this f*cking wooden thunderbird puppet." Made my morning.

[@rigsby1454]

You got that from this interview? Obsessed

[@AnEnemy100]

It’s a direct quote. Listen.

[@PORRRIDGE_GUN]

Or 'a Brylcreemed shithouse' according to Ricky Tomlinson.

[@padbrit]

Psssst Alexei I think you made Owen very uncomfortable there mate............

[@tonyd8376]

Alexei understands what happened with the weaponisation of antisemitism, Owen knows it too and is being deliberately obtuse 👍

[@JulieLevinge]

Owen Jones must apologise to Jackie Walker after attacking her when her words had been twisted in the same way that Jones comments are being twisted right now. To not apologise leaves a large question mark surrounding him!

[@GlennLeinster]

Alexei don't go away we need you;-) thanks for not bottling it;-)you are a gem

[@patriciafanning6643]

What a brilliant conversation with Alexi Sayle and Owen Jones, this kind of salient interaction has been entirely lost on broadcast media over the past decades, thank you for bringing back the art of political conversation, I've really missed it, thanks again Owen, love this channel

[@philipquick7423]

Alexei, showing Owen Jones the art of communication!!!

[@richardwilliams3308]

Alexi got bored by the end. Not engaging at that point

[@philipquick7423]

@@richardwilliams3308 I felt he got fed up with jones's inability to say something directly!

[@Gooner184]

I love this guy. Was bang on regarding Labour and the largely manufactured antisemitism 'crisis' within it. Appreciate Owen's willingness to speak with people that don't just agree with him 100% on everything though!

[@davidrobinson2776]

When the lass off Countdown appears on the front page of the Daily Mail banging on about Corbyn’s antisemitism, that should start any intelligent person’s alarm bells ringing. One from the top please Rachel.

[@patcampton9799]

I felt that Owen was just trying to show that it could be seen from.a different viewpoint myself. I think he agrees with Sayle on most of it.

[@Wybowazza]

Listening to Alexei Sayles podcast, he did not enjoy this interview, especially when Owen goes all "yes but no but" over Antisemitism.

[@Muzikman127]

I enjoyed this interview. A reasonable level headed discussion about this topic where both people are coming from a place of honesty in their convictions, and treating each other with respect is rare to say the least. Usually you either get either 1) not talking about it at all, or 2) rabid fervent ranting (often from people with less than honest intentions). It was refereshing to hear two people actually state their honest opinions on the issue. And there was a lot of other interesting stuff in the interview too; the fact that this one incredibly contentious and emotive topic didn't derail the thing is an achievement in itself!

[@eileenmcchrystal7254]

@@Muzikman127 hmmm it seems to me that Owens stance blows on the wind of popularism.

[@RighteousBrother]

The Alexei Sayle interview with Stewart Lee?.....that's what brought me here, he didnt get on with Owen at all and wish he'd never done it.

[@Muzikman127]

@@eileenmcchrystal7254 Sorry for not replying, but I honestly don't know what this comment means.

[@Wybowazza]

@@RighteousBrother Yep,...That podcast is great, they are like old mates down the pub having a chat.

[@missfrankiegreen]

Really enjoyed this, so glad he held Owen to account!

[@TheDailyPolitik]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Particularly the difference of opinion between Jones and Sayle on antisemitism and Starmer. Agree with Sayle on both points.

[@mayachatterjee2336]

Me too.

[@stylophobia]

The Forde Report proves Alexei right, despite the gratuitous evidence free " both sides are to blame " gloss .

[@jaikent81]

Owen, you're so naive on the anti-semitism issue. You seem to not understand the context at all. It's been used as a weapon ( successfully ) to take down the left in the UK and you let us down on this really important issue. You helped to allow the right to define the left and destroy our parliamentary chances. Of course anti-semitism exists but this was never about anti-semitism

[@TheInfiltrator101]

So there isn’t anti-semitism on the left? I’ve seen it with my own eyes lol stop living in denial.

[@jaikent81]

lol, did you even read my comment? I never said that did I? maybe learn to read before responding. Truly embarrassing.

[@zakpullen8113]

​@@TheInfiltrator101 you filed a complaint I assume?

[@odiferousmusky1299]

@@TheInfiltrator101 and why do u call yourself the infiltrator? lol

[@philipduttonlescorlett]

Of the hundreds of complaints received, why was nothing said of the fact that hundreds were made by just a few individuals?

[@MightyJonE]

Yes, I noticed Owen also did exactly this on TV some time ago, apologising for all the anti-semitism in Labour, yet not making the very true point you’ve just raised. I found what Owen didn’t say to be frustrating, odd, and doing a disservice to Corbyn and majority of Labour members generally

[@lauramartin5579]

And several hundred from just one dame

[@101dannybhoy]

@@lauramartin5579 ...the second worst Margaret in history.

[@Wybowazza]

@@101dannybhoy Nope. The worst by far. At least the other one stood for something. To be fair it's like comparing sh!t sarnies.

[@Tristan_again]

Owen Jones' newspaper, The Guardian, was at the forefront, leading the charge against Jeremy Corbyn and unequivocally exaggerating the antisemitism issue because they would rather have a Johnson-led Conservative government than a Corbyn-led Labour one. It was only a throwaway comment but the Vietnam War ended in 1975 and the first Vietnam War film was Heroes from 1977.

[@stylophobia]

And the Forde Report now backs your (and my) view up .

[@public.public]

False accusation of antisemitism is as serious as anti semitism and should treated the same.

[@lynnehaywood5305]

Owen you are too accepting of what is happening in the Labour Party. I feel Alexei was trying to tell you that! AND yes we can mobilise during a pandemic. Socialists are joining DiEM25 & Progressive International and are getting things moving. My advice is 'Don't give up Socialism for Labour!'

[@donalbrown7530]

This is brilliant Alexi Sale is a ledgend

[@Georgieastra]

Michael Foot was a leg end

[@kenjack6674]

Alexie , is a funny guy ..and he knows his politics ..my kind of politics. , Enjoyed this talk owen ...can't say the same about some of your others ..Don't surprose I can Forgive you , when you TURNED against ( JC )..

[@MellorDR]

Alexi such a legend

[@julianshepherd2038]

I'm Scottish Green but Labour is my English "team". Looks a lot like a purge to me.

[@magnuscliffard4631]

Who did you cast your constituency vote for in 2016 as the Scottish Greens only contested 3 constituencies at the last Scottish parliamentary election?

[@stephenreynolds3079]

@@magnuscliffard4631 Thats the problem with 1st past the post.

[@magnuscliffard4631]

@@stephenreynolds3079 What has first past the post got to do with the Scottish Greens only contesting 3 constituencies in 2016?

[@stephenreynolds3079]

@@magnuscliffard4631 If you fail to gain a sufficient vote you lose your deposit. Tactical voting denudes your vote. My point was that Parlimentary elections are not democratic in that they do not represent the wishes of all the people only some of the people.

[@magnuscliffard4631]

The Scottish Greens would far rather spend money on trying to get regional MSPs than trying to get constituency MSPs, which would be near impossible.

[@daemonchild1977]

Owen is completely out of his depth here, but that’s the position that spouting a centrist narrative puts you in.

[@roadend78]

If only the GLC and Sheffield in the 80s had balls to take on Thatcher like Liverpool did ?

[@roughcut1684]

Alexei Sayle = National Treasure

[@Smiffy2462]

I feel exactly the same way as Alexei about Corbyn. I saw Alexei live on stage, twice in the 80’s - a very funny and intelligent man.

[@nolslifegren]

Lex shows Jones up here for the weather vane he is

[@davidrobinson2776]

People criticise Marxism but look at the gaff Alexei’s hamster has!

[@unpleasanthorizons7438]

His great-great-great-great-great-grandfather SPG started climbing the property ladder in 1982.

[@Lost_Johnny]

I was thinking that. A grand hamster house!

[@StratsRUs]

Stewart Lee has let himself go.

[@sprobablycancr4457]

Electric ham face, I hate it when that happens.

[@PantomimeHorse]

These days?

[@sprobablycancr4457]

@@PantomimeHorse In jail?

[@lesleyhollinshead3714]

As a boomer who never voted for Thatcher, supported the Miner's and wanted Corbyn to be PM. I think I would love to have a cuppa with Owen's mum. I reckon we'd have lots to talk about..Love Alexi and Stewart.

[@lauramartin5579]

Me too.Been socialist all my life and not gonna change now, at 63. Ageism is just another divisive r/w tactic. I refuse to buy into it.

[@lesleyhollinshead3714]

Absolutely.

[@duckweedy]

I miss hearing Alexei Sayle humour. We need to revive intelligent alternative comedy. At present all it seems we have is Nish Kumar.

[@tonywright497]

Alexi Sayles 'Imaginary Sandwich Bar' on Radio 4 is really enjoyable

[@clemlysergy3335]

"little wooden thunderbird puppet" yeeeessss!

[@DaraM73]

Did Alexei not suffer from a certain amount of blacklisting in the nineties?

[@dazpatreg]

Quite a bit

[@zakpullen8113]

Owen just does not respect that the evidence for the scale of antisemitism in the Labour party did not match how it was presented in the media, him included. If people are mistreated, then complaints must be made so they can be addressed. You can't say an organisation is doing nothing or not enough if you do not bring the problem to their attention formally. Tom Watson said he witnessed antisemitism multiple times. What did he do about it? Did he make a single complaint? Owen, and others in left media, contributed to the horrific picture that was exploited by opponents of the left, including saboteurs within the party. Justice demands clarity, honesty and action, not the muddled thinking Owen has peddled on this issue.

[@tcpip9999]

Congratulations Alexei for not humouring Owen.

[@frozennostril]

Owen-d by Sayle-ient points.. tee-hee

[@donnyE777]

Thumbs up for Alexei

[@kwr117]

I ❤️ Alexei

[@Gruntfutuck101]

I'm amazed Owen still doesn't get it.

[@TyrannosaurusBatman]

Just protecting his interests

[@odiferousmusky1299]

"It's difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends on him not understanding it" - Upton Sinclair

[@stevemarriott5649]

Owen seemed uncomfortable when the conversation turned to corbyn and anti-semitism. He didn't come across as authentic. I stopped reading his guardian column a few years ago when his views towards corbyn changed. Again he didn't come across as authentic. When you lose your authenticity, you kind of lose your credibility....

[@Theactivepsychos]

I came here from the Stewart Lee / Alexei Sayles podcast. Had me very intrigued. They seem frosty from the go.

[@RighteousBrother]

Me too!

[@Tariqali-ot2sg]

Alexei brilliant comedian Legend

[@djdoolittle1315]

Jezza was our real leader. Starmer must go. period

[@bigbenji6]

Damn you Corbyn for raising my hopes! Hilarious

[@MarkPMus]

36? No spring chicken? Gerra way wi’ ya! I’m 52 and I remember Alexei on the Young Ones when I was about 14.

[@thomasdavis3444]

It exists to stop socialism. Spot on Alexei.

[@sarahnasir5448]

A very decent man, enjoyed listening to this interview

[@Dogboy73]

One of the greatest living English man today.

[@thundertick5666]

Get on with it, Jonesie. Stop talking about his name. We haven't got all day.

[@MrHousey36]

VOTE SAYLE

[@saragonmcenany6229]

I think Starmer needs to send back the David Abrahams cash and weed out the Islamaphobes - If John Mann is happy then we have a problem he had some pretty nasty views on traveller communities. Antisemitism should not be weaponised to move people you disagree with ideologically. The mural thing was a problem from nearly a decade ago but an overreaction. Same weaponising tactic levelled ironically in states on Sanders and then they switched it to sexism.

[@robleahy5759]

Irish travellers attack each other too much to be considered a community.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

The priceless Alexei.

[@davidtanslow3584]

I knew this would happen just as soon as jezza stepped down. I always said he should've been more focused on the enemies within and done more to get rid of the conservative tendency. Unfortunately Jeremy was too much of a gentleman and got over zealous with the so called broad church thesis in being over tolerant of the right wingers in labour. There is still a huge majority in labour party for a socialist inspired cause but unfortunately the socialists seem to be fixated with a class struggle that is now seen as unimportant next to protecting our rights to equality and life and liberty under the law. We should have campaigned on the basis that the Tories are using the people as cash cows for their unsustainable money making rackets.

[@mayachatterjee2336]

Well said, Alexei!

[@Beingtanaka]

you're on fire Owen, the quality of content you have been producing consistently on here is amazing

[@leoniegray6404]

Thank you Alexei .😁😁

[@ajalvin2012]

Awww Alexei Sayle, ain't seen him for ages... love him.

[@efcdk92]

Has Alexei debated someone of the likes of Lee Kern or Baddiel? That would be interesting.

[@gazrev7671]

So how did Thatcher close down these viable, financially solvent, competitive,functional companies? Nobody of 'your mindset' has EVER answered that question to my satisfaction. And yet you parrot the accusation to this day.

[@jamesjardine6895]

strange no one's tried to answer your question

[@Smiffy2462]

‘Being a Socialist is a barometer of decency’ . Agree 💯 Alexei !

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

Ridiculous point of view.

[@richardhall263]

Alexei looks more like father Christmas as each year passes. I loved your book "Margaret Thatcher stole my trousers".

[@nickjones9867]

Surprised you didn't talk about the Liverpool Mayoral situation guys.

[@End-Result]

Probably took place before news of that particular coup broke

[@nickjones9867]

@@End-Result fair point. I thought these were live and uploaded right after, but maybe not. Owen probably dodged a bullet anyway, because it's a pretty impossible decision to defend, but he doesn't want to criticise starmer.

[@Muzikman127]

@@nickjones9867 pshhhh, Owen Jones doesn't criticize Starmer's labour, where did you get that idea?

[@SammiCPC79]

Oho this is a special one, Cheers Owen!

[@daved2352]

I'm gonna sit next to an Alexa and talk about the importance of unionized labour.

[@Adamb87]

Great interview and Great to hear from a true socialist

[@julielevinge266]

This can’t be only 2 years ago! Owen you look like a teenager😉 Lexi Sale is a brilliant man thank you so much for interviewing him.

[@markboon2024]

This was painful to watch. Signed. A lefty.

[@adrianshaw7293]

On the generation divide (about voting), I agree with Alexei that us oldies are still ok, whereas things are much worse for youngsters, than when we were there age. What I don't understand, though, is how so many oldies vote to make the lives of their children progressively worse! That's my main consideration.

[@chuckabbate5924]

Alexei, well done .

[@dianegrey8110]

I had to stop watching as Owen Jones was sitting in a very pointy fence 😳 and I was feeling the pain.

[@clemlysergy3335]

Dude get rid of Alexa! Boycott Amazon altogether. Yeah I realise the irony of saying this on youtube, but gotta start somewhere...

[@End-Result]

We’re all mad for tolerating capitalist realism and endless consumption but imho ppl who willingly install automated spying devices in their homes need their heads testing.

[@deefjohnholler]

Jerzei Balowski has let himself go.

[@kerryhunt4148]

love alex honesty

[@chrisbird3578]

I remember when Maggie died, someone played "ding dong the wicked witch is dead"

[@alexharrison9340]

Bit unfair...on the wicked witch of the west that is.

[@greenhubert]

Painful to watch Owen, tongue tied, tiptoe around the issue of the anti-semitism crisis in Labour. It speaks volumes about the Mcarthytist atmosphere within Labour, the media and the country. Luckily for Owen the Anti-semitism in Labour crisis has magically disappeared down the memory hole now JC is out so he can go on to concentrate on ignoring things like the torture of Julian Assange in Belmarsh. Come on Owen, as one of the very few vaguely lefty voices it is essential to take a stand against Anit-semitism AND against the weponisation of anti-semitism. Alexei is a national treasure.

[@waveglyde746]

Enjoyed this show a lot - keep it going!!

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@Edge81]

Alexai, "damn Corbyn for raising my hopes"

[@peteredwoods1470]

Owens fringe game is nxt level 🤘🤘🤘

[@julianshepherd2038]

Almost Emo

[@peteredwoods1470]

Still waiting to see if he’s gonna rock some 90s curtains b4 the big chop.

[@donnyE777]

Shame can't say same about his principles

[@LeMonsignoir]

Bit of a strange argument Owen, supporting ppl how they 'feel'... What if they're wrong? George Bush felt Iraq had wmd's should you support that too?

[@clappedclanger4751]

was watching this with an Alexei Sayle cassette above my desk, legend

[@adellaharbar4262]

"This little wooden thunderbird puppet is now in charge!" 🤣

[@odiferousmusky1299]

Wooden? Starmer seems more plastic to me, more mould-able and unnatural.

[@JackCalico]

Alexei "Well thank you for coming on my podcast." Oooft!

[@thomassheppard6061]

Owen, everyone had a choice in 2017/19; vote for Jeremy Corbyn or a deeply right wing Conservative government.

[@atomiccritter6492]

stupidly we have multi parties in a fptp system which will always lead to divide and rule

[@deanrao4805]

Speaking of having hopes dashed (31 minutes in), I suffered very much the same kind of disappointment, here in USA, with Bernie Sanders. I'm about the same age as Alexei Sayle. I thought my cynicism regarding national selections had reached a stable high (or low?) during Reagan years. Then came Clintons, with their damnable triangulation, c. 2000. Come 2020: doomsday clock set back a tick. But immediately follows the Democrat political assissination (and feet-of-clay) of Bernie Sanders. Sand castle dissolves. Suckered again. BTW, I came across Alexei Sayle by a serendipitous chain, starting with my serendipitous discovery of Stewart Lee. I binged on Alexei Sayle series shows on YT. For me, Alexei is the over-all funniest comedian. I'm a fan of some great contenders. But Alexei's stuff on his series always lands, for me.

[@gawaingodwin1601]

Alexei is a mega dude

[@potbelliedfool]

Haircut 100 are really starting to look their age.

[@daviddevoy2197]

Starmer perceives that Corbyn has lost him seats in the North of England. That and opposing Brexit. Hence defenistrating Corbyn and wrapping himself in union flags. Setting aside whether this strategy is valid or not, it is certainly not going to gain him anything in Scotland.

[@Dantianblue]

Just watched it again and it didn't seem as difficult this time. Owen Jones is a journalist who tries to look at the complexity while Alexei Sayle is a robust comic and satirist who sees the essential and practical. It's possible to acknowledge that there are anti semitic people in Labour, as in every walk of life, at the same time as seeing that anti semitism was weaponised by the establishment. Sadly in the swamp of our system Corbyn was too vulnerable to these attacks. Hence Starmer is trying very hard to be inoffensive to the establishment. So he's trying to get into power at the cost of progressive politics which might threaten the oligarchs.

[@misterbonzoid5623]

Shame on you, Owen Jones. You KNOW what you did. We see you.

[@BraxtonSwine]

0:19 Owen says "Alexa", his Alexa enabled device responds, and Owen is surprised by this 🤨

[@M_Bamboozled]

Never mind that Richard Herring's expectations, he's one of those people wot wants the moon on a stick.

[@kcl4364]

Ha

[@MrHarney]

the massive super spreader that they could have stopped was the Cheltenham races

[@anthonygreen7063]

Alexei politically schooled Jones. Join the Workers Party of Britain!

[@bobwalker4930]

It's actually bizarre that Jones couldn't you just agree with Alexei that Corbyn's statement that antisemitism in the Labour Party had been grossly exaggerated was true. Why would you not agree with a verifiable fact?

[@julielevinge266]

Fell if a cliff!! That’s a perfect metaphor for covid, still haven’t got my taste back 2 years later.