Oh Jeremy.
It was meant to sound like a call to arms; a defiant message to Theresa May and her firm of right-wing Brexiteers. But Jeremy Corbyn’s tweet – after he helped the government’s bill to trigger article 50 pass through the Commons with a majority of 372 – backfired spectacularly.
Corbyn’s own attitude towards Brexit is less than ambiguous. He ordered a three-line whip to push through what he saw as a democratic mandate to leave the EU, but many feel his personal eagerness for a form of Brexit to happen was an undermining factor in Labour’s Remain campaign.
His tweet on Wednesday was bullish and forthright…
Real fight starts now. Over next two years Labour will use every opportunity to ensure Brexit protects jobs, living standards & the economy.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) February 8, 2017
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke for many when she replied incredulously:
How? You've just handed the Tories a blank cheque. You didn't win a single concession but still voted for the Bill. Pathetic. https://t.co/kDje2GLAey
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 8, 2017
Hands up if you wish you could vote for a party led by @NicolaSturgeon pic.twitter.com/nYoRVXW73j
— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) February 8, 2017
In terms of the public, the overwhelming reaction was one of dismay and ridicule. For many it was far too little, much to late. And as much as many of the replies were humorous in tone, they were angry and frustrated in sentiment…
After losing the referendum, failing to amend the bill & ordering his MPs to vote for Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn says "the real fight starts now" pic.twitter.com/OSj2zx3VAE
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) February 8, 2017
"The real fight starts now" pic.twitter.com/43woB28Yb3
— John Rain 🥇 (@ItsJohnRain) February 8, 2017
— Letters of Note (@LettersOfNote) February 8, 2017
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/madeofwasps/status/829449956893265920
— Pundamentalism (@Pundamentalism) February 8, 2017
Real fight starts now. pic.twitter.com/npyNnDIqFn
— Peter Watts (@peter_watts) February 8, 2017
'The real fight starts now' pic.twitter.com/Ysj1RzcJPZ
— Felicity Morse (@FelicityMorse) February 8, 2017
The real fight starts here. pic.twitter.com/MMcjtuEUqP
— dubdubble 🦞 (@dubdubble) February 8, 2017
Fuck off, you spineless traitor.
— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) February 8, 2017
