In the summer of 2015 Jeremy Corbyn used a pile of my ideas to help him become Labour leader. By spring 2016 his team were telling me they were sitting out Brexit as it was just a Tory fight. 1/

At that moment I knew this was a man who played politics, and not political leadership, and I walked away from any association. I did not regret it. Whatever he said, or was said for him, he was always posturing 2/

Politics is about tough decisions. About finding the way to real answers. There is a lot Labour is still getting very wrong, on Covid, the economy, electoral reform and more. But Corbyn was never the answer on any of those issues either 3/

This country is crying out for real, radical, political leadership. The sort that shakes the system to its roots since it's rotten. But let's not pretend Corbyn was remotely capable of delivering that. He wasn't. Instead he was part of the problem. 4/

Is Starmer the solution? Not until he takes on the gov't. Not until he understands how the economy really works . Not until he promises electoral reform and real democracy. Not until he respects devolved nations and local authorities. Not until he roots out anti-semitism. 5/

But let's not waste time debating Corbyn. He was not the answer to any question worth posing. And he has a lot of answers, and apologies, to give right now. But let's make it clear his mistakes are acknowledged. And apologised for. And must not be repeated. And then move on. /end