Thank you for the detailed response Arjuna though of course we disagree. A lot of what you say is a repeat of out WhatsApp conversations and you do have impressive knowledge, even if what you interrogate is sometimes selective and your analysis has flaws. We are friends but agree to disagree.

In terms of your points at the bottom regards the binary choice, I feel that I will reiterate my position that it is impossible for Labour to win the next general election without an electoral pact. Labour is in a double bind where it will lose support whichever way it goes and Smith in particular (with his Europhile bent) has the most potential to alienate UKIP leaning Labour supporters as well as the left. Triangulation fall down even on its own terms in multi-party system, as has been demonstrated under Miliband and Brown. Corbyn does has flaws but I do not see how Smith could win a general election. Either he goes radical (as his policies would claim) or he chases the technocratic centre. Both strategies would fail for him.

Having defended my positions against your detailed criticism many times, I would like to ask you who you support and what you think? I know that you have previously supported the Lib Dems and I wonder if you still do. What would you change in our society and how would you go about achieving it through political process? You should definitely blog because you have a lot of knowledge and things to say. I look forward to reading it and commenting. Take care. :-)