Jeremy Corbyn promised ‘straight talking, honest politics’. What went wrong?

The scene: BBC studio, Brighton. Jeremy Corbyn is waiting to be interviewed by Andrew Marr.

BBC intern: “Could I get you anything, Mr Corbyn? Glass of water? Tea? Coffee?”

Jeremy Corbyn: “Look. I understand the importance of liquid refreshment. A lot of people drink water. Others drink tea. Others prefer coffee. I understand that. But what we have to recognise is, while a lot of people drink water, others drink tea – and others, don’t forget, prefer coffee.”

BBC intern: “Yes, Mr Corbyn. I was just wondering which one you’d like?”

Jeremy Corbyn: “And we’ve been very clear about that. Yes, human beings need to drink fluids. And I respect that. But the point we’re making is: yes, there’s water, but there’s also tea, and there’s also coffee – and, let’s not forget, there’s also water, too. And that’s what we have to recognise.”

Straight Talking, Honest Politics. That was the promise on which Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour leader, two long years ago. He wasn’t going to be like other politicians, with their lies and their soundbites and their question-dodging waffle. Since Mr Corbyn gained power, though, a curious transformation has taken place.

This morning, as Labour’s annual conference began, Andrew Marr attempted to ask Mr Corbyn some questions. He wanted to know Mr Corbyn’s policy on the Brexit “transition period”, single market membership, freedom of movement, and illegal strikes by trade unions.

But Mr Corbyn wouldn’t tell him. Instead, he ducked and hedged and prevaricated with almost Blair-like fluency. Bizarrely, he wouldn’t even say whether he’d ever ordered an Uber. “Not sure,” he concluded, after several seconds’ consideration. Given that ordering an Uber is totally different from ordering a taxi, involving an app rather than a phone call, it seems odd that Mr Corbyn should be unsure whether he’s ever done it. It’s like being unsure whether you’ve ever flown in a plane, or worn a pair of trousers.

Marr didn’t hide his exasperation. “You say that the Prime Minister’s not clear, but you seem even less clear yourself,” he sighed. Then, with a helpless wail, five minutes later: “What’s happened to Jeremy Corbyn, that he can’t answer my questions?”

It would be unfair, though, to suggest that Mr Corbyn is the only Labour figure suffering from this mysterious affliction. On Radio 5, Diane Abbott was asked repeatedly whether Labour would take Britain out of the single market, in the long term, after the transition period.

“In the long term,” she replied, “we will respect the result of the referendum.”

Yes, but was it Labour policy to take Britain out of the single market after the transition period?

“It’s Labour policy,” she replied, “that we will respect the result of the referendum…”

At one point she protested that there was “a danger” in “getting caught up in these ‘process’ arguments”. Yes, the danger being that voters might actually find out what your plans are.