Not John McDonnell, earlier

Labour leadership candidate John McDonnell today said that if he could go back in time a la “Ashes to Ashes”, he would have used the opportunity to assassinate Margaret Thatcher. Apparently, this was a “joke”.

I have uttered the phrase in a number of accents, phrasings and intonations, but somehow I just can’t raise a smile with it. I must be losing my touch.

Now, I have to say quite categorically that I don’t have the slightest problem with Mr McDonnell saying whatever he likes, but I find it curious that someone should pass off what could quite easily be construed as “hate speech” or even a “terrorist threat” should be waved aside as “a joke”, especially coming from a man who not only would lead the Party of the Righteous, but indeed represents the militant wing of Righteousness and Political Correctness. I had wondered why Mr McDonnell was struggling to find support of sitting MPs, but it is quite clear to me that this is a man who would not be out of place leading the BNP.

I hope that the more sensible members of the Labour Party will distance themselves from such base appeals to the very worst in the Labour Party and consign the awful McDonnell to the dustbin of history.