AGE SHALL NOT WITHER THEM.....

I find it somewhat ironic that the Guardian's junta of white, middle-class commentators is
criticising the Lib Dems for the "sameness" of their potential leadership candidates. John Harris, whose cred as a left-of-centre journalist is more than a little flakey, talks of the iniquity of "two privately educated middle-aged white fellas with amazingly similar views squaring up for the leadership of the party that's meant to think the unthinkable and stand that bit further outside the establishment." As things stand, that is exactyly the scenario we would have in the Labour Party if Brown were to fall under a bus. Miliband v Miliband ? Balls v Alexander? It does not bear much thinking about. Because none of these shining Cabinet stars have ANY experience of living in the real world. Nor would they necessarily be vote-winners.
Never mind the left-right thing for a minute. Where are the possible women candidates who would not wear the centrist status quo proudly on their sleeves. How many working-class MPs with trade union pedigrees have we got left in the PLP? And as for BME candidates well unless things change pretty quick that's not going to happen either. What's more, the system we have for choosing our leader means "minority" candidates outside the "big tent" have very little chance of getting on the ballot paper.
At Labour Party conference 2008, Calder valley CLP will be moving a rule change motion under which the threshold for getting on the ballot paper would go down to 7 per cent of the PLP - still more than the original 5 per cent figure but arguably enough to get an interesting, representative contest next time. A few weeks ago, in Bournemouth, I would have said this proposal stood very little chance of getting passed. But, given the events of the past three weeks, and Brown's increasing vulnerability, we have to start lobbying now and mobilising support so this has a chance of getting through. One of the many reasons GB is in a weak position is the fact he did not have to go through the rigours of a leadership contest. The farce of him going round the country talking to himself did not strengthen us, it diminished democracy and disillusioned many.
Whatever the stature of the various Lib Dem hopefuls, at least they are going to HAVE a contest. And, on another note, the notion that anyone over 40 can forget it in political terms is an absolute absurdity. Women, in particular, often do not get a chance to pursue political interests until after their children are grown-up. In our area , two women Labour MPs got to Westminster when they were over 45. I know several women of similar age who would be interested - why should they be discounted ?
Poor Ming Campbell undoubtedly got the boot because he looked too old. Yet Hilary Clinton, currently favourite to win the Democratic nomination, is pushing 60. We have to stop this obsession with youth and start encouraging older people to get involved - not shove them on the scrapheap.