Next Labour leader

[TopGun]

This will be interesting particularly as the coalition has got off to a pretty good start as far as getting on together.

 

1. David Miliband is a right wing Labour contender, formidable intellect but maybe a bit geeky.

 

2. Ed Miliband is more of the left and Gordon Brown but is quite natural.

 

3. Jon Cruddas has just ruled himself out but carries a lot of Trade Union backing. He has not said who he prefers. Will he actually be tempted as a stalking horse of the left?

 

4. Andy Burnham is a very personable bloke but probably can't get the Miliband intellect ranking (not necessarily a showstopper).

 

5. Ed Balls may throw his hat in the ring and is a forceful guy in the Alistair Campbell mould.

 

6. Alan Johnson says he ain't going for it but has a lot of respect among the brothers. Maybe too old though has an engaging approach.

 

7. Our own John Denham has political stature but says he is not interested.

 

8. The old school like Harriet Harman and Jack Straw are probably too closely associated with the old regime.

 

Not sure David Miliband is a walk in as it depends where the others line up.

 

More interesting times ahead! And probably good for democracy if there are three fresh leaders on the scene (obviously ignoring the proposed 55% rule when I say democracy).

 

Although I voted Labour in the election I had let my party membership lapse. I think I will rejoin so I get a say in the next phase of Labour!

 

What do others think?

Edited 17 May, 2010 by TopGun

[scotty]

This will be interesting particularly as the coalition has got off to a pretty good start as far as getting on together.

 

1. David Miliband is a right wing Labour contender, formidable intellect but maybe a bit geeky.

 

2. Ed Miliband is more of the left and Gordon Brown but is quite natural.

 

3. Jon Cruddas has just ruled himself out but carries a lot of Trade Union backing. He has not said who he prefers. Will he actually be tempted as a stalking horse of the left?

 

4. Andy Burnham is a very personable bloke but probably can't get the Miliband intellect ranking (not necessarily a showstopper).

 

5. Ed Balls may throw his hat in the ring and is a forceful guy in the Alistair Campbell mould.

 

6. Alan Johnson says he ain't going for it but has a lot of respect among the brothers. Maybe too old though has an engaging approach.

 

7. Our own John Denham has political stature but says he is not interested.

 

8. The old school like Harriet Harman and Jack Straw are probably too closely associated with the old regime.

 

Not sure David Miliband is a walk in as it depends where the others line up.

 

More interesting times ahead! And probably good for democracy if there are three fresh leaders on the scene (obviously ignoring the proposed 55% rule when I say democracy).

 

Although I voted Labour in the election I had let my party membership lapse. I think I will rejoin so I get a say in the next phase of Labour!

 

What do others think?

 

not a lot too choose from tbf, looks like miliband sr to me. lol @ harriet harman, please God, noooooo........

[bridge too far]

Top Gun - there used to be a rule that you had to be a member for a set period before you could vote. I'm not sure if this is still the case.

 

I await my ballot papers with interest. I had hoped Cruddas would be standing. I can't remember if the deputy leadership is a separate election. If it is, I would hope that he would stand for that at least - to balance the more rightish stance of the (so far) named contenders.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting David Milliband recently (at a wedding, not a political event). He's a lovely man - very friendly and easy to chat to - but he's a bit right wing for me. For that reason, unless someone else more left-leaning comes forward, I'd vote for Ed Milliband.

[Ponty]

As long as that t*at Balls doesn't get in.

[Dog]

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/other-politics/uk-politics?ev_oc_grp_ids=60787

[badgerx16]

As long as that t*at Balls doesn't get in.

Don't they sell those in Anne Summers ?

[bridge too far]

Top Gun - there used to be a rule that you had to be a member for a set period before you could vote. I'm not sure if this is still the case.

 

 

I've just had an email from Harriet Harman :cool:

 

If you join before 8 September, you are eligible to vote.

 

Along with the close to 6000 who have joined since the election, apparently.

[Joensuu]

Shame about Cruddas. For me the first comment after this article sums it up best:

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/17/labour-leadership-jon-cruddas

[dune]

The Unite Union apparently want Ed Bals.

 

I so hope he gets it.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I think Mrs Balls should have the balls to stand against Balls.

[Johnny Bognor]

Shame about Cruddas. For me the first comment after this article sums it up best:

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/17/labour-leadership-jon-cruddas

 

 

Ah good old Jon ‘Two Homes’ Cruddas!

 

Cruddas is supposed to be a socialist MP. He likes to think of himself as “Real Labour”. That means he’s supposed to be representing the ordinary working class voters. Yet he’s got TWO homes in the same city.

 

One is in Dagenham, which he bought in 2002 for £105k and is probably worth around £180k by now. Dagenham is only about 13 miles from Westminster....and as thousands of commuters know, the centre of London is not exactly in outer space.....it’s not that hard to get to....even for a socialist.

 

His other home is an upmarket flat in a Notting Hill (in fact, just around the corner from Dave). Cruddas bought his Notting Hill flat in 2004 for £375k and is currently worth £900k.

 

Trendy Notting Hill is just four miles from the Commons. Now, what property do you think that Cruddas has been claiming his second-home expenses on?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, you’ve guessed it – the flat in Notting Hill!

 

There's one thing worse than a socialist and that's a ****ing hypocrite socialist with his fingers in the till.

[Joensuu]

There's one thing worse than a socialist and that's a ****ing hypocrite socialist with his fingers in the till.

 

Good spot JB. He does indeed rank rather high for expense claims:

 

2008/09 141st highest

2007/08 353rd highest

2006/07 452nd highest

[Johnny Bognor]

Good spot JB. He does indeed rank rather high for expense claims:

 

2008/09 141st highest

2007/08 353rd highest

2006/07 452nd highest

 

His further home is only 14 miles from Westminster.... if I didn't have better things to do, I would give him a lift each day.

[OldNick]

i have been impressed by Liam Byrne??

[Saintandy666]

John McDonnell looks set to stand as well, if he can get enough nominations. He won't get in though... the unions will probably like him. I would have liked Jack Straw or Alan Johnson, but as they aren't standing, I guess Ed Miliband is a good choice, seems a bit more human than his brother, and bit more left wing as well.

[dune]

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/other-politics/uk-politics?ev_oc_grp_ids=60787

 

I wonder if anyone will take 100/1 on the brain dead Diane Abbott.

[Thedelldays]

labour going to grass roots will probably mean they wont get into power any time soon

[bridge too far]

I wonder if anyone will take 100/1 on the brain dead Diane Abbott.

 

So brain dead she went to Cambridge where she read History?

[dune]

So brain dead she went to Cambridge where she read History?

 

This may be true, but she's still retarded in my opinion.

 

[bridge too far]

This may be true, but she's still retarded in my opinion.

 

 

Oh she must be then

[Wilko]

i have been impressed by Liam Byrne??

 

I'm not sure you have been?

[EastleighSoulBoy]

The Unite Union apparently want Ed Bals.

 

I so hope he gets it.

 

I don't think you'll get what you want this time Stan.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

This may be true, but she's still retarded in my opinion.

 

 

Oh dear me Stanley, you just can't let it rest can you.

 

Diane Abbot is everything that you despise.

 

You really need not worry, she will not get elected as leader even if she did decide to fight for it.

[badgerx16]

Dune / Stanley ;

 

Dianne Abbot said in a R4 interview at 07:55 that she IS standing !

[dune]

Dune / Stanley ;

 

Dianne Abbot said in a R4 interview at 07:55 that she IS standing !

 

I thought you were taking the **** so checked and LOLOLOL.

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8693687.stm

[Wes Tender]

Whoever they elect it doesn't bother me. Out of spite, I hope that they elect somebody like Balls who has little charm, or failing that, some leftie would do nicely.

 

Whoever it is, I hope for a long, long spell in the political wilderness for them. Why, next time around, if the Lib/Dems impress with their cooperation in this coalition, they might even knock Labour into third place next time. That would be good.

[View From The Top]

Whoever it is, I hope for a long, long spell in the political wilderness for them. Why, next time around, if the Lib/Dems impress with their cooperation in this coalition, they might even knock Labour into third place next time. That would be good.

 

And if the coalition fails then whoever is elected leader will waltz into Downing St and stay there for at least a decade.

[View From The Top]

Oh dear me Stanley, you just can't let it rest can you.

 

Diane Abbot is everything that you despise.

 

 

Yes, she's black.

[Jeff Le Taxi]

John Denham wouldve been perfect!

[Wes Tender]

And if the coalition fails then whoever is elected leader will waltz into Downing St and stay there for at least a decade.

 

And a squadron of pigs will fly across the evening sky to the tune of the Dambusters.

 

Do the electorate really have such short memories? Why, there are still some on here who bear grudges against MT from between 13/30 years ago.

[badgerx16]

Do the electorate really have such short memories? Why, there are still some on here who bear grudges against MT from between 13/30 years ago.

There are folks up here still at war with the House of York, so retaining a loathing for Maggie is very small beer.

[View From The Top]

And a squadron of pigs will fly across the evening sky to the tune of the Dambusters.

 

Do the electorate really have such short memories? Why, there are still some on here who bear grudges against MT from between 13/30 years ago.

 

If it doesn't work the Liberal vote will flock to Labour and the election will be won. Only a fool doesn't recorgnise that.

 

Cameron really has gone sh*t or bust and fair play to him for having the balls to.

[Wade Garrett]

I don't think Ed Balls could carry Labour through an election win. To me the only serious contenders are him and the Miliband brothers.

 

I would go for David. Very switched on, although I was impressed by his brother on the Andrew Marr show.

[TopGun]

This may be true, but she's still retarded in my opinion.

 

 

Where as you might have scraped a further education place but are the font of all knowledge and wisdom Dune?

[Hatch]

I like Diana Abbot, not a chance in hell of winning, but she's alright for a commie.

 

;-)

[trousers]

I urge all Labour party members to vote Abbot

[View From The Top]

I urge all Labour party members to vote Abbot

 

I think it's safe to say that that's not going to happen.

[CB Saint]

If I become a Labour member, do I get to vote? and how many votes will it take to to elect the leader?

[Lord Duckhunter]

There's something about Abbot, she's not bad for a 50 something leftie. Have you seen her flirting with Portillo on "This week"? She's not in the Caroline Flint area but she's got something about her.

 

There's no way the dinosaurs in the people's party will have a Women lead them.

[View From The Top]

There's something about Abbot, she's not bad for a 50 something leftie. Have you seen her flirting with Portillo on "This week"? She's not in the Caroline Flint area but she's got something about her.

 

There's no way the dinosaurs in the people's party will have a Women lead them.

 

 

Nothing to with having better candidates then?

[Lord Duckhunter]

Nothing to with having better candidates then?

 

Her views are nearer to the grassroot Activists than most of the others. The Labour movement has always been a male dominated body. Nearly 40 years after Maggie Thatcher was made Tory leader ,and we're still no nearer the Brothers following their lead.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Her views are nearer to the grassroot Activists than most of the others. The Labour movement has always been a male dominated body. Nearly 40 years after Maggie Thatcher was made Tory leader ,and we're still no nearer the Brothers following their lead.

 

remind me how many female MP's have top jobs in the new ConDem coalition?

[Lord Duckhunter]

remind me how many female MP's have top jobs in the new ConDem coalition?

 

Abbott is not going to win this election, therefore it's a fact that 40 years after Maggie the "right on" people's party, despite all their "positive discrimination" and countless empty gestures, are no nearer being led by a Female.

[saintsdan]

Abbott is not going to win this election, therefore it's a fact that 40 years after Maggie the "right on" people's party, despite all their "positive discrimination" and countless empty gestures, are no nearer being led by a Female.

 

Except of course that they are currently being led by a female!

[View From The Top]

Her views are nearer to the grassroot Activists than most of the others. The Labour movement has always been a male dominated body. Nearly 40 years after Maggie Thatcher was made Tory leader ,and we're still no nearer the Brothers following their lead.

 

So they should vote for her because she's a woman even if she isn't the best candidate?

[View From The Top]

Abbott is not going to win this election, therefore it's a fact that 40 years after Maggie the "right on" people's party, despite all their "positive discrimination" and countless empty gestures, are no nearer being led by a Female.

 

Again, are you saying that she should be the leader just because she's a woman even if, after a full campaign, hustings and elections, those entitled to vote decide she is not the best candidate?

 

You're whole argument is, quite frankly, rather pathetic and laughable. I would suggest to try to pick a better fight as this one is even below Stanley's risible efforts.

[trousers]

If I become a Labour member, do I get to vote?

Hmmm....now there's an idea....how many Tories would it take to 'join' Labour in order to secure the leadership contest for Abbot?

[Wes Tender]

remind me how many female MP's have top jobs in the new ConDem coalition?

 

Theresa May. Home Secretary. One of the big three jobs in Government.

[woodfc]

Hmmm....now there's an idea....how many Tories would it take to 'join' Labour in order to secure the leadership contest for Abbot?

 

A bit like Saints supporters joining a skate website poll!

[TopGun]

Hmmm....now there's an idea....how many Tories would it take to 'join' Labour in order to secure the leadership contest for Abbot?

 

 

Quite a few million!!