So yeah, while immigration is objectively a big issue, the shadow it casts in the public imagination is blown out of proportion all the same.
whether the leavers - and the media, who relish anything to do with immigration and report with no responsibility - simply manipulated, exacerbated, and exploited feelings and fears around immigration, this is what, from the looks of things, is what won it. im not even sure if you can say its merely 'objectively' a big issue. it was THE issue. and a highly emotional issue. its because it is such an emotional issue and not treated as an objective one that it proved so succesful. people seem to like denying its centrality, the same way many media reports seemed reluctant to pass judgement on what motivated jo cox's killer. they dont like what it might suggest.
obv you have to unpack 'immigration' and what people mean by it, its just an abstract blame target for a whole host of problems theyre facing. but the campaign became more or less a battle between people wanting to support cosmopolitan global (or continental at least) capitalism, and people edging towards right wing nationalism.
im still a corbyn supporter but he wasnt nearly focused, organised, or passionate enough for the job. he might have been honest about being conflicted, but sorry, exhibiting conflict is not going to win labour any votes. its one thing not sounding like another slick factory-made political professional, and he had his work cut out for him - could anyone really win in this current climate? against farrage? - but he didnt even sound like he was bothered. hes like a depressed sixth form sociology tutor. makes you wonder if he really wants his job or not. its like hes as down as anyone else about the political system and sees no sign of hope himself.
at this point though i think labour is almost beyond hope. the country is happy to let tories run it, and happy to believe that boris a) cares about the eu b) cares about social justice. so the next election, will be won by the tories again. labour seems to not care about anything but fighting each other. the tories are the same but at least they can somehow galvanise support. the only decent alternative will have to come from outside both. labour isnt worth resting any hopes on, unless you are just happy with a party sat opposite the tories to present an alternative ideology, but who have no chance of doing anything with it.
