To be sure, one should be cautious with celebrating the recent expansion of party membership as a sign that Labour has
become the «first mass party in the advanced capitalist world this century,» for if all it takes to count as a party member is a payment of # 3, it is not entirely clear why an increase in membership figures would be a reliable
indicator of public support, let alone
signalling increased support from the «communities that send Labour MPs to parliament.»
If the driver nevertheless activates the turn
signal to change lanes, the
indicator becomes brighter and begins to blink quickly — a
signal that can hardly be overlooked.