So much for Gordon Brown wanting a contest. Today's Guardian reports that his campaign team have launched a major offensive to stop one. Apparently, Jack Straw now has 217 MPs signed up to nominate Brown ( an awesome number by anyone's standards)
The garnering of names, says the Guardian, is a deliberate bid to stop any challenge whatsoever. Which is interesting because until recently the Brownites were scornful there was any chance at all of a left-wing contender getting anywhere near the magic 44. Now they have seen off Miliband, they are aiming to see off John McDonnell.
The Guardian confirms what I have been saying for weeks which is that the Meacher campaign is "dead in the water" with only 3 MPs signed up. However, it acknowledges John McDoinnell could be nearly there - and only 5 names short of the 44. A great day for Party democracy? A fantastic opportunity to debate policy? No chance.
Bully boy Brown is still determined to stop the Party having a contest. Even if , as one must acknowledge, he's runaway favourite to win. What kind of politician fears debate? What motivation will there be for anyone to stay in the Party when our MPs deny us a vote. And, mpost importantly, what kind of message does that send to an electorate already fed-up with spin and control freakery.
But let's be positive. This article ( and Michael White's appalling piece yesterday in the Guadian) are real signs that the Brownites are running scared and that the left can get there - against all the odds. So, at the risk of repeating myself, keep lobbying MPs, write to the papers, blog on the blogs. We have little over two weeks tomake a difference.......
The garnering of names, says the Guardian, is a deliberate bid to stop any challenge whatsoever. Which is interesting because until recently the Brownites were scornful there was any chance at all of a left-wing contender getting anywhere near the magic 44. Now they have seen off Miliband, they are aiming to see off John McDonnell.
The Guardian confirms what I have been saying for weeks which is that the Meacher campaign is "dead in the water" with only 3 MPs signed up. However, it acknowledges John McDoinnell could be nearly there - and only 5 names short of the 44. A great day for Party democracy? A fantastic opportunity to debate policy? No chance.
Bully boy Brown is still determined to stop the Party having a contest. Even if , as one must acknowledge, he's runaway favourite to win. What kind of politician fears debate? What motivation will there be for anyone to stay in the Party when our MPs deny us a vote. And, mpost importantly, what kind of message does that send to an electorate already fed-up with spin and control freakery.
But let's be positive. This article ( and Michael White's appalling piece yesterday in the Guadian) are real signs that the Brownites are running scared and that the left can get there - against all the odds. So, at the risk of repeating myself, keep lobbying MPs, write to the papers, blog on the blogs. We have little over two weeks tomake a difference.......
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7 comments:
I was just gonna ask you if you had seen that guardian article... I see that you have.
I guess the news is both good and bad for John. On the one hand, this move on Brown's part indicates that John does have substantial support within the Party, which, finally, has been reflected within the PLP. On the other hand, it may seem alarming that Brown and his "sycophant-crony-arsehole" goons have decided to stop him any cost... Let's just hope that those Labour MPs who had previously decided to back John (even if only in order to have a contest) are principled enough not to step back on their word/decision.
Just a thought ... why are the nominations of PLP members NOT a secret ballot. If they are then the 217 is slightly meaningless. If they aren't then please tell me why the Leadership Vote is actually the least democratic of any selection process in our party - and goodness knows there is plenty of competition for that accolade.
Most important decision. Least democratic protection and by the sounds of it the most opportunity for intimidation.
Please tell me that nominations are secret.
I could be wrong but I don't think they are, actually. Which is part of the problem.As you know, they currently have this plan to post the nominees on the Labour website.....so presumably any middle-of-roader who would like to see a contest is, yes,open to all sorts of threats from the pro-Brown Whips.
Nothing is decided until the nomination papers are served which will only be after Blair steps down. They have, as you know, three days,,,,,Frankly, God knows what will happen.There are now two certainties I think.
1. Miliband won't run
2. Meacher is finished.
Which makes it a straight left/right split which John's campaign team always thought the best case scenario.However, would be astonished if Clarke or Hutton didn'tat least try to get the magic 44.Equally astonished if they did.Whichever,it's a farrago and yes, a travesty of Labour Party democracy.When the electoral college was set up in 1981, this really wasn't the plan.......BTW under the old rules of course John would be on the ballot paper already
Possibly only the nomination NUMBERS on the web? CLPs should be told their reps vote if they request it. But is should be secret.
NEC should insist on that. And there should be no queue of naughty boys and girls SHOWING Brown's whip their papers (as sometimes seen in our great party). Just to make sure.
And after it's all over some rule changes , I think! Off to leaflet......
There must be a challenge of some kind. John McDonnell seems the best person to offer it as far as i can tell. Mr Brown has said that potential challengers should "feel free" to stand. Why then am I beginning to get the dreadful feeling that it's looking like a coronation?
http://www.epolitix.com/EN/News/200704/1ec1d72d-962e-48c0-9053-e02c9f7fd312.htm
Hi Susan,
Am starting to contact potential Mps as per your list - but am getting about 40% bounces - even tho' the addresses are valid (have checked on beeb and grauniad lists). Is this something to do with some MP's not accepting external email?
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