We are not them

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According to one Labour MP, John Mann, Owen Smith’s leadership campaign failed largely because it “boiled down to one key message: I am not him” (i.e. Jeremy Corbyn).  Whilst I have considerable sympathy with the idea that such a campaign message is unlikely ever to motivate anyone, I can understand why so many in the Labour Party would think that it was entirely suitable and adequate.  I thought Mr Mann's verdict was, in context, more than a little harsh; after all, doesn’t the whole party’s key message in election after election boil down to simply saying “We are not them” (i.e. the Tories)?