Labour leadership race

[pb21]

Maybe Labour will get someone like Iain Duncan Smith or Michael Howard were for the Tories, i.e. someone with no chance of winning who can absorb all the negative guff until another Dave/Tony figures comes along…

 

[Buzzer]

Official Tory blogger - concentrate now

Did you actually read the blog?

The article doesn't once imply that he's gay. The Tory blogger puts forward three reasons why he hasn't got married: he's lazy, he's unromantic or he thinks it's cool not to be married. Bizarre and archaic conclusions I'll grant you but absolutely no hints, nudges or whispers that the relationship might be a sham. I note that the author, Laura Perrins writes for the Catholic Herald so perhaps it's not surprising that she holds those views.

You come up with something a little more credible and I promise I'll concentrate. Deal?

 

[Pavilionaire]

Why are Cooper and Burnham tainted but not David M (who as author of the 2001 and 2005 manifestos) was even more closely connected with the Blair regime?

It's also impossible for him to stand: a Labour MP would have to die or resign within the next few days for him to be able to get on the ballot. He'd have to give up his job, come back here and, probably, get beaten soundly. If he couldn't win a ballot when the cards were stacked in his favour, he's hardly like to win when he's an outsider.

I agree that this election is a good one to lose though. Jarvis and Ummuna are biding their time. Pity for Mary Creagh, she's been very impressive when I've seen her on Question Time

Burnham and Cooper have both been prominent members of a Labour Shadow Cabinet convincingly rejected by the electorate. Burnham's been good but came 4th in the previous leadership election so there's a whiff of defeat about him. I really don't see what Yvette Cooper has EVER done that been any good, again the whiff of defeat AND she's married to Ed Balls.

David was one of the shining lights of the latter years of New Labour and has been away from the mess Red Ed has made. It feels like David's a boxer who won the fight only to see his opponent get a split decision in their favour courtesy of a dodgy judge.

I understand he isn't an MP and will need to stand in a bye-election to get elected. If David was minded to stand then I wouldn't be surprised to see 84-year old Gerald Kaufman standing down in Manchester Gorton because of "ill health". Kaufman himself nominated David to stand as Labour leader in 2010. This would work out well for the Jewish vote too.

 

[cunning fergus]

I read that the golden rule with political scandals is Tories - extra-curricular shagging, Lib Dems - deviancy, Labour - money. There's rumours of shady dealings with property in Jersey and offshore banking. There's a part of me that hopes it's something similar to Mark Oaten but this time with Chuka in a Palace top.

You are probably right, that said shady dealings for personal gain is just part of being a politician, and I dont think any party are paragons of virtue; some individual politicans maybe.

I recall he has had some questionable donations, and wasnt he being favoured by one or two of the big accounting firms..................not that prima facie that should be an issue.

 

[looney]

B This would work out well for the Jewish vote too.

I doubt that, the jewish vote appears to have fled the left.

 

[Gwylan]

Burnham and Cooper have both been prominent members of a Labour Shadow Cabinet convincingly rejected by the electorate. Burnham's been good but came 4th in the previous leadership election so there's a whiff of defeat about him. I really don't see what Yvette Cooper has EVER done that been any good, again the whiff of defeat AND she's married to Ed Balls.

David was one of the shining lights of the latter years of New Labour and has been away from the mess Red Ed has made. It feels like David's a boxer who won the fight only to see his opponent get a split decision in their favour courtesy of a dodgy judge.

I understand he isn't an MP and will need to stand in a bye-election to get elected. If David was minded to stand then I wouldn't be surprised to see 84-year old Gerald Kaufman standing down in Manchester Gorton because of "ill health". Kaufman himself nominated David to stand as Labour leader in 2010. This would work out well for the Jewish vote too.

Hmm... we'll have to disagree about what a "shining light" David M. As far as I can see, he completely cocked up the leadership election by concentrating on two of the three constituencies and ignoring the others - if he'd got one more union on his side, he'd have won.

But even if he wanted to stand and Gerald Kaufman would, bizarrely, stand down - he'd have to act fast. Kaufman (or whoever) would have to resign by Monday and the by-election called the next day as it can't be held later than 11 June to be in time for closing of the leadership ballot (and there has to be a clear three week notice). David M would have to resign his job with immediate effect, dash over for a selection meeting - with no guarantee of success.

And even if he were elected, he'd be going for the same votes as Burnham and Cooper (who would have spent the past four years lobbying discreetly) and you can bet that they won't ignore the unions. And if he were elected, he knows that he'd have no chance of getting the Scots onside and with a possible 30 more Tory seats from boundary changes, he'd have no hope of winning.

Nah, he'll stay where he is ...

 

[knocky1]

B

Burnham and Cooper have both been prominent members of a Labour Shadow Cabinet convincingly rejected by the electorate. Burnham's been good but came 4th in the previous leadership election so there's a whiff of defeat about him. I really don't see what Yvette Cooper has EVER done that been any good, again the whiff of defeat AND she's married to Ed Balls.

David was one of the shining lights of the latter years of New Labour and has been away from the mess Red Ed has made. It feels like David's a boxer who won the fight only to see his opponent get a split decision in their favour courtesy of a dodgy judge.

I understand he isn't an MP and will need to stand in a bye-election to get elected. If David was minded to stand then I wouldn't be surprised to see 84-year old Gerald Kaufman standing down in Manchester Gorton because of "ill health". Kaufman himself nominated David to stand as Labour leader in 2010. This would work out well for the Jewish vote too.

I never knew old Gerald was still at it. I'm not sure on the Jewish vote being impressed with David after Ed's balls up. They were not part of the Jewish community until Ed was advised to show his Israeli links a couple of years back. A visit to Israel followed and we were told about Grandad's horrible death by the Nazis. Unfortunately he then blew this by supporting a Palestinian state during Israels bombing of Gaza and condemned Israel. Maureen Lipman said she would never vote Labour again. The Jewish vote went 69% Tory 22% Labour. Jewish Chronicle say 75% of their readers in a Poll would vote for Gov Policy towards Israel rather than a Party per se. So for David to win Jewish votes, if Leader, he would have to change Labour Policy towards Israel rather than follow His plastic Jewish brother's approach.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Tristram Hunt at around 7/1 worth a punt ?

 

[Soulman]

Tristram Hunt at around 7/1 worth a punt ?

Really, even after last nights performance on QT.
I think he would get battered in any head to head with other leaders. Seems the sort of chap that just chips in and nobody really takes much notice.

 

[London Irish]

Did you actually read the blog?

The article doesn't once imply that he's gay. The Tory blogger puts forward three reasons why he hasn't got married: he's lazy, he's unromantic or he thinks it's cool not to be married. Bizarre and archaic conclusions I'll grant you but absolutely no hints, nudges or whispers that the relationship might be a sham. I note that the author, Laura Perrins writes for the Catholic Herald so perhaps it's not surprising that she holds those views.

You come up with something a little more credible and I promise I'll concentrate. Deal?

No hints? An entire article speculating why he doesn't marry his girlfriend? - It's lamentable that a Tory blogger, the co-editor of Conservative Women, would spend an entire article on someone's private life rather than their political beliefs. It was such a disgrace that they humiliatingly had to pull it down.

 

[Buzzer]

No hints? An entire article speculating why he doesn't marry his girlfriend? - It's lamentable that a Tory blogger, the co-editor of Conservative Women, would spend an entire article on someone's private life rather than their political beliefs. It was such a disgrace that they humiliatingly had to pull it down.

Yep. No hints. I've read the article 3 times and there's definitely no implied homophobia. I've already pointed out her three conclusions for why he hasn't married. It's the rantings of a staunch Catholic Irishwoman who thinks that if you're not married by 35 that you're living in sin and nothing more sinister than that. What with this and your straw-clutching at Damian McBride's comments about Cameron going within 18 months, it's all a bit desperate.

 

[Stato]

Burnham and Cooper have both been prominent members of a Labour Shadow Cabinet convincingly rejected by the electorate. Burnham's been good but came 4th in the previous leadership election so there's a whiff of defeat about him. I really don't see what Yvette Cooper has EVER done that been any good, again the whiff of defeat AND she's married to Ed Balls.

David was one of the shining lights of the latter years of New Labour and has been away from the mess Red Ed has made. It feels like David's a boxer who won the fight only to see his opponent get a split decision in their favour courtesy of a dodgy judge.

I understand he isn't an MP and will need to stand in a bye-election to get elected. If David was minded to stand then I wouldn't be surprised to see 84-year old Gerald Kaufman standing down in Manchester Gorton because of "ill health". Kaufman himself nominated David to stand as Labour leader in 2010. This would work out well for the Jewish vote too.

Gerald Kaufman, being a leading critic of Israel and the UK's support of Israel, is a fairly controversial figure in the British Jewish community. Jewish people are not a homogeneous mass who just vote for other Jews.

 

[Winker]

The best candidate must surely be our very own Herr Tubthumper. I'm sure even the evil Tories on NSC would contribute towards a new donkey jacket and flat cap for our soap-box hero if it meant a favourable outcome for the new hotel and casino complex at the Amex (oops- has no-one mentioned the casino yet...)

 

[Pavilionaire]

Whatever way you dice it up this crop of candidates is uninspiring and the fact remains the MPs and the Labour Party members voted for Dave in 2010, he will always be the leader that got away.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

The best candidate must surely be our very own Herr Tubthumper. I'm sure even the evil Tories on NSC would contribute towards a new donkey jacket and flat cap for our soap-box hero if it meant a favourable outcome for the new hotel and casino complex at the Amex (oops- has no-one mentioned the casino yet...)

Do you think the club would sponsor him? It would be a very expensive business, as we'd have to give him a craft beer allowance. Perhaps he could have a launch in the Profile Lounge. Martin Perry could nominate him, having been a Labour candidate in Hangleton Ward in the Brighton and Hove Council election.

 

[TomandJerry]

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy could face a vote of no confidence at a meeting of a party's executive later.

There have been calls for him to resign following Labour's near wipeout in Scotland in the general election.

A number of defeated Labour MPs, some MSPs and several unions have urged him to stand down.

Mr Murphy has insisted he will remain at the helm and said he was confident he would survive any attempt to oust him as leader.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

The best candidate must surely be our very own Herr Tubthumper. I'm sure even the evil Tories on NSC would contribute towards a new donkey jacket and flat cap for our soap-box hero if it meant a favourable outcome for the new hotel and casino complex at the Amex (oops- has no-one mentioned the casino yet...)

Ah, yes,but will he wear his lederhosen around the Amex ?

 

[n1 gull]

Liz Kendall is really impressive all the others are tarnished with the past.
There is absolutely no way a Scouser or Mrs Balls can be the next PM.

Tristam is a Tory obviously covertly going about his business.

I've not heard of the other woman

 

[ROSM]

I think all the candidates should have to a) have one go at prime minister's questions b) be on Question time against their government opposite number c) have to be interviewed by the same public audience that attended the BBC individual leader sessions

That will help assess the candidates.

Let's remember that Cameron was 5th favourite until he spoke at the Conservatives conference in 2005

 

[Elvis]

I think all the candidates should have to a) have one go at prime minister's questions b) be on Question time against their government opposite number c) have to be interviewed by the same public audience that attended the BBC individual leader sessions

That will help assess the candidates.

Let's remember that Cameron was 5th favourite until he spoke at the Conservatives conference in 2005

Thats actually a resonable suggestion. My opinion of many polititians is made from their appearances on QT ( esp when against their oppo number) Out of interest who ahere the four favourites I presume May and Boris who were the otther two?