The hope felt real, once. As someone who genuinely admired both Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, I allowed myself to believe in the possibility of something different, something better. It was a fragile dream, perhaps, but a powerful one nonetheless.
Now, a chilling realization settles in: internal conflict within progressive movements only serves one purpose – strengthening the far-right. They operate with a frighteningly unified agenda of nationalism, while those on the left become consumed by endless debates over nuance and definition.
This isn’t an abstract political argument. The resurgence of far-right ideology has created a palpable sense of fear, particularly for those of us who are most vulnerable. Recent protests near asylum hotels, escalating into violence, have made simply leaving the house a source of anxiety.
Then there’s the insidious drip of anti-migrant rhetoric from mainstream politicians, broadcast daily across every media platform. It’s a relentless dehumanization, a constant wearing down of the spirit. It breeds uncertainty, questioning our very belonging in the country we call home.
It’s deeply disheartening to witness seasoned politicians, figures I once respected, being dismissed as unprofessional or unreliable. To see them embroiled in public disputes feels like a betrayal of the principles they once championed.
I’m leaning towards voting Green in the next election. Under Zack Polanski’s leadership, they currently represent the most viable left-wing voice. Their membership has surged, a testament to a growing desire for genuine alternatives.
Yet, a profound disillusionment lingers. A creeping sense that electoral politics, as it stands, may be fundamentally broken. If individuals like Corbyn and Sultana, dedicated to justice and causes I deeply care about, can descend into public infighting and legal battles *within* their own movement… what does that say about the system that created them?
The organization I once believed in, the one that promised a revolution, has repeatedly fallen short. It feels less about representing the people and more about protecting egos and maintaining internal loyalties. The promise of radical change has faded, replaced by the harsh reality of political maneuvering.
