Jeremy Corbyn has reminded Labour at last why austerity must be opposed

The unlikely leadership frontrunner looks vulnerable to criticism over some policies and pledges. But someone in opposition had to come out fighting

The seeds for the phenomenon of the rise and rise of Jeremy Corbyn were sown when Labour either voiced acceptance of George Osborne's welfare cuts or abstained in the parliamentary vote.

This really did raise the question: what is the Labour party for? One may disagree with Corbyn over his stance on Nato and one or two - or possibly seven - economic issues, not least his proposals for the Bank of England, which would demand serious quantitative analysis. But he certainly struck a chord with his full-frontal attack on austerity. Despite all the bad-mouthing of him, he has indeed forced other leadership contenders to stop apologising for a deficit that was induced by the financial crisis and had nothing to do with spending plans that were supported by George Osborne at the time.

Until Corbyn came along, Labour was like a rabbit in the headlights on the subject of austerity

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