Who should be the next Labour Leader?

[da-robster]

As above.

[magpie1892]

Diane Abbot is an appalling hypocrite and as slippy as they come but actually has a history of getting things done. Labour needs an 'old school' socialist (hypocrisy sadly, comes as standard with these models) to try and erase the memory of 'New' Labour and its associated genocides, theft, lies, smears, nannying, surveillance, incompetence, etc.

[--------]

Diane Abbot is an appalling hypocrite and as slippy as they come but actually has a history of getting things done. Labour needs an 'old school' socialist (hypocrisy sadly, comes as standard with these models) to try and erase the memory of 'New' Labour and its associated genocides, theft, lies, smears, nannying, surveillance, incomptence, etc.



She's also cuddly. :greengrin

[magpie1892]

She's also cuddly. :greengrin

Very.

[--------]

Very.


A lot more cuddly than a Milliband or a Balls.

[hibsbollah]

New Balls please:agree:

[magpie1892]

A lot more cuddly than a Milliband or a Balls.

Can I ask, what are you insinuating?

[hibsdaft]

New Balls please:agree:

there'll be a hun as Pope before the UK elects a PM with a lisp.

[magpie1892]

there'll be a hun as Pope before the UK elects a PM with a lisp.

I don't agree. Balls has far more pressing deficiencies that bar his way to No.10 - association with what's just gone before, his turning a safe seat into a marginal (9+% swing to the Tories - nearly double what they achieved overall) and the fact that he's not in the least likeable.

[Betty Boop]

I would have liked John Cruddas, but unfortunately he has ruled himself out. :grr:

[ginger_rice]

Ed Balls simply because I'd love to see the headline in the papers "Balls to Number 10" :greengrin

[LiverpoolHibs]

I don't agree. Balls has far more pressing deficiencies that bar his way to No.10 - association with what's just gone before, his turning a safe seat into a marginal (9+% swing to the Tories - nearly double what they achieved overall) and the fact that he's not in the least likeable.

That was largely down to a boundary change more than anything to do with Balls himself, as awful as he is.

John McDonnell would be my choice but I can't see him getting the requisite number of PLP nominations to actually make a challenge and it would be electoral suicide anyway.

I can't stand Diane Abbott even though she's the next 'left' candidate. Ed Milliband would be the most preferable out of the rest, but it will almost certainly be his brother. In that case the best to be hoped for is that he becomes possessed by the ghost of his father.

[bighairyfaeleith]

On first impressions I'm in favour of ed milliband. Not seen much of this health minister yet

Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

[Hainan Hibs]

Definitely not Diane Abbott.

Probably one of the Milliband brothers.

[Leicester Fan]

I'm not a Labour voter so I don't really care but here are my impressions of the candidates.



David Milliband-Too nerdy
Ed Milliband-Bit lightweight but seems pleasant
John Mcdonnell-Never heard of him
Ed Balls-Fat dis-likable bully
Andy Burnham-Pleasant, but a leader?
Diane Abbot-She always seems a thick on that late night programme she does.

[One Day Soon]

That was largely down to a boundary change more than anything to do with Balls himself, as awful as he is.

John McDonnell would be my choice but I can't see him getting the requisite number of PLP nominations to actually make a challenge and it would be electoral suicide anyway.

I can't stand Diane Abbott even though she's the next 'left' candidate. Ed Milliband would be the most preferable out of the rest, but it will almost certainly be his brother. In that case the best to be hoped for is that he becomes possessed by the ghost of his father.

Jesus Christ. I sincerely hope you are not a party member.

[ArabHibee]

Jesus Christ. I sincerely hope you are not a party member.

Is there really any need for the blaspheming?

[LiverpoolHibs]

Jesus Christ. I sincerely hope you are not a party member.

I'm not, no. Why?

[Sir David Gray]

Not particularly bothered but I hope it's not Ed Balls. I've not really got anything against him as I don't know enough about him to have an informed opinion but you just cannot have a Prime Minister Balls. :bitchy:

The only ones that I really know anything about are David Miliband, due to his high profile position under the last Government, and Diane Abbott, as I watch This Week, which she appears on every week.

I don't think it will be much of a contest, to be honest, as David Miliband will walk it.

[One Day Soon]

I'm not, no. Why?

Your enthusiasm for John McDonnell, that's why.

[LiverpoolHibs]

Your enthusiasm for John McDonnell, that's why.

I'm not sure that saying he would be my choice were I a member of the Labour Party and following that by saying it's pretty unlikely he'll get the necessary number of PLP nominations and that, besides, it would be electoral suicide really counts as enthusiasm. It's just a fairly straightforward statement that my views most closely allign with his out of all of the candidates. No need to get so het-up.

[steakbake]

I think Diane Abbott could bring something really fresh to the Labour Party.

Milibands are tainted by either Brown or Blair and the rest seem to be the usual band of ********s, common in the Labour ranks.

My personal preference would be for Ed Balls though. If you think Brown was a pish leader of the Labour party, they should give this charlatan a shot. Balls has the potential to be if not worse than Brown, but certainly a lot less popular.

[Sir David Gray]

Having had a quick look through some of the views of the candidates, the only one that I absolutely would never consider voting for is John McDonnell.

I've just seen his abhorrent comments (http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2003/may/30/northernireland.devolution/print) from 2003, when he praised the Provisional IRA and suggested that we should be in some way thankful to them.

I personally do not wish to see my country led by someone who openly supports terrorists who have caused death and destruction on our streets.

[Hibbyradge]

Abbott is so dominated by Michael Portillo on that right wing TV show, it's embarrassing.

If she's left wing, I'm Leon Trotsky.

Ed Milliband is probably my current fave, but I'll wait till I view the hustings before committing.

The Con/Dem coalition has started well. Let's wait till the cracks appear before showing "our" hand.

PS I have to say, it was interesting to see Alec Salmond welcoming David Cameron on his second day as PM. :hmmm:

[steakbake]

Abbott is so dominated by Michael Portillo on that right wing TV show, it's embarrassing.

If she's left wing, I'm Leon Trotsky.

Ed Milliband is probably my current fave, but I'll wait till I view the hustings before committing.

The Con/Dem coalition has started well. Let's wait till the cracks appear before showing "our" hand.

PS I have to say, it was interesting to see Alec Salmond welcoming David Cameron on his second day as PM. :hmmm:

Yes - would be nice if there was a more mature attitude between Edinburgh and London. Seemingly, Salmond couldn't get a minute with Brown. I'm glad that Cameron has made it something of a priority to come to meet the Scottish First Minister.

[Hibbyradge]

Yes - would be nice if there was a more mature attitude between Edinburgh and London. Seemingly, Salmond couldn't get a minute with Brown. I'm glad that Cameron has made it something of a priority to come to meet the Scottish First Minister.

That is one skilful reposte!

I'll just enjoy your artistry for a while before taking issue!

[Beefster]

That was largely down to a boundary change more than anything to do with Balls himself, as awful as he is.

John McDonnell would be my choice but I can't see him getting the requisite number of PLP nominations to actually make a challenge and it would be electoral suicide anyway.

I can't stand Diane Abbott even though she's the next 'left' candidate. Ed Milliband would be the most preferable out of the rest, but it will almost certainly be his brother. In that case the best to be hoped for is that he becomes possessed by the ghost of his father.

Balls' notional majority in the new constituency was 9800. He was elected with a majority of 1100.

The reduced majority was very much down to Balls.

Anyway, I'd love to see Balls or Abbott in charge of Labour.

[LiverpoolHibs]

Balls' notional majority in the new constituency was 9800. He was elected with a majority of 1100.

The reduced majority was very much down to Balls.

Anyway, I'd love to see Balls or Abbott in charge of Labour.

How are notional majorities decided in new seats?

[--------]

How are notional majorities decided in new seats?



Exit polls at the voting stations in the previous election?

Balls is a nasty, bullying thug. Just what the party deserve.


Still think Diane's cuddly. :greengrin

[steakbake]

That is one skilful reposte!

I'll just enjoy your artistry for a while before taking issue!

Thank you.

To be honest, I'm not really fussed. I just want politicians of all colour to do their jobs for the good of their country and put petty partisan politics to one side. I think Brown and Salmond did not have a constructive relationship at all. Brown seemed more interested than ignoring the SNP and Salmond certainly milked that position.

I think Cameron and Clegg have so far, done admirably. I think that it would be refreshing if Cameron/Clegg had a constructive relationship with the Scottish FM, whoever that ultimately is over the next 5 years and regardless of party.

[The_Todd]

I think Cameron and Clegg have so far, done admirably. I think that it would be refreshing if Cameron/Clegg had a constructive relationship with the Scottish FM, whoever that ultimately is over the next 5 years and regardless of party.

I think Clegg and Cameron have so far done the same as Eck in his first weeks as FM - made some popular and easy decisions (scrap ID cards, 5% paycut for Ministers, scrapped HIPs) and yes, engaged Wee Eck and looked at a pretty picture in an Art Gallery together and released £100m-odd from a Government account for Scotland.

The real challenge is yet to come, so while they've made positive changes I don't think we can judge them just yet. If they were up for re-election now they'd probably win again, but let's wait 5 years then decide how well they've done.

[--------]

I think Clegg and Cameron have so far done the same as Eck in his first weeks as FM - made some popular and easy decisions (scrap ID cards, 5% paycut for Ministers, scrapped HIPs) and yes, engaged Wee Eck and looked at a pretty picture in an Art Gallery together and released £100m-odd from a Government account for Scotland.

The real challenge is yet to come, so while they've made positive changes I don't think we can judge them just yet. If they were up for re-election now they'd probably win again, but let's wait 5 years then decide how well they've done.


You reckon they'll last five years?

[hibsbollah]

Balls is a nasty, bullying thug.

Have you read this somewhere? Ive met the guy and he's a (methaphorical) pussycat:confused:

[Green Mikey]

I don't think it is a particularly good list of candidates, very light on experience at the top level of government and nobody strikes me as a true leader.

Pesonally, I think that David Miliband has the best chance. He fits the role of young, confident party leader that is needed these days to impress TV debate audiences. Also, he is to the rigt of the party which will give them more chance of winning the election considering the electorate move away from voting for the left.

[--------]

Have you read this somewhere? Ive met the guy and he's a (methaphorical) pussycat:confused:


Hasn't he had some rather unpleasant fall-outs with junior ministers and staff?


He and his wife have also up to some creative investment in the property market, IIRC. A degree of non-transparency regarding which of their two houses (the one they had originally and the one they paid for with his Commons expenses) is their first home....

[poolman]

how about him :agree:

http://i45.tinypic.com/dd8a0.jpg

[--------]

how about him :agree:

http://i45.tinypic.com/dd8a0.jpg



Too intelligent.



And not cuddly. :bitchy:

[The_Todd]

You reckon they'll last five years?

If the manage to rig things so a 55% vote is required to win a no-confidence vote in Government then yes. If not, then it depends on if the love-in continues. A couple of disagreements on Europe, Immigration and spending cuts may help along the way.

[givescotlandfreedom]

I might get in trouble but John McDonnell would be my choice due to actually representing the views Labour are meant to stand for instead of the diet tories they are now.

[heretoday]

It's a tricky one. Already, Labour are concerned about the new leader matching the Coalition on the TV debates at the next election. So we are looking at Ed Miliband who can talk without notes and charm a crowd. If he hasn't gone completely mental by that time he could be the man.

Actually I reckon the Coalition will be creaking come the next election and so a bully-boy like Ed Balls will appeal to the floaters. Bit of hunky man stuff required.

I don't think it's got anything to do with policy any more. It's TV presence.

Unfortunately David Miliband will probably get it because he has the highest profile.

[Pete]

I want the person who will come closest to reinstating clause four...to me that's what labour should be all about.

I want a sensible left wing party again...but one that is electable.

Times are only going to get worse for the working man in the next few years because nearly every industry is ****ed...I think NOW is the time for a more left wing labour to set its wheels in motion. It might seem extreme and unpallatable right now but once the mass unemployment and unrest increase it will be the only option for the majority of the population.

[The Harp Awakes]

From an SNP point of view, I don't really care who becomes the UK labour leader as like the tories and liberals, the labour party are all unionists and in favour of a 'United' Kingdom which is on borrowed time.

In terms of a people qualities though, I think Andy Burnham is the best choice. I think most folk are fed up with the smarmy, spin that Blairites preach, and Andy is a down to earth guy who will probably appeal to the grass roots labour voters.

[Leicester Fan]

I want the person who will come closest to reinstating clause four...to me that's what labour should be all about.

I want a sensible left wing party again...but one that is electable.


You contradict yourself there. I hope you get your way though, they won't get back in for decades.

[Big Ed]

Having had a quick look through some of the views of the candidates, the only one that I absolutely would never consider voting for is John McDonnell.

I've just seen his abhorrent comments (http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2003/may/30/northernireland.devolution/print) from 2003, when he praised the Provisional IRA and suggested that we should be in some way thankful to them.

I personally do not wish to see my country led by someone who openly supports terrorists who have caused death and destruction on our streets.

As opposed to those who openly supported the likes of Pinochet and Saddam?

[steakbake]

As opposed to those who openly supported the likes of Pinochet and Saddam?

... or stood by, silent and complicit while the country was lied to and taken into an illegal invasion?

[Big Ed]

... or stood by, silent and complicit while the country was lied to and taken into an illegal invasion?

Agreed.

[One Day Soon]

As above.

Why no Peter Mandelson or Tony Blair option? In the absence of those two I will go David Miliband. Credibility, brains, articulate and a very decent guy too.

[Sir David Gray]

As opposed to those who openly supported the likes of Pinochet and Saddam?

I'm not aware of any of the other candidates being supportive of Pinochet or Saddam, to be honest, but maybe I've missed something. :cool2:

Even if they did support them, as detestable as these two men were, they didn't wreak havoc on this country and neither were they responsible for hundreds of innocent men, women and children dying on our streets.

I honestly find McDonnell's views on the PIRA disgusting and I hope he comes nowhere near to winning the contest.

While I'm at it, I see that another candidate, Diane Abbott, has made reference to the "two posh white boys" aka Clegg and Cameron during an appearance on the BBC show "This Week". If a white person had made a similar comment and they had referred to a black/asian person's skin colour in that kind of manner, this board would currently have a ten page thread on its hands. In fact when David Cameron commented during one of the election debates that he had met a "black man" on the streets, I seem to remember a few comments being made on here criticising him.

Of course, those comments shouldn't really come as much of a surprise as she does has previous for that kind of thing. A few years ago, she stated that Finnish nurses working in her local hospital were unsuitable for that position because they will have never met a black person before. :bitchy:

[The_Todd]

You contradict yourself there. I hope you get your way though, they won't get back in for decades.

I don't know, I think a bit of public ownership might go down a treat. Privatisation of the railways has, let's face it, not been a success. It's about time utilities were about providing public with a service rather than the chasing of profits.

[Big Ed]

I'm not aware of any of the other candidates being supportive of Pinochet or Saddam, to be honest, but maybe I've missed something. :cool2:

Even if they did support them, as detestable as these two men were, they didn't wreak havoc on this country and neither were they responsible for hundreds of innocent men, women and children dying on our streets.

I honestly find McDonnell's views on the PIRA disgusting and I hope he comes nowhere near to winning the contest.

While I'm at it, I see that another candidate, Diane Abbott, has made reference to the "two posh white boys" aka Clegg and Cameron during an appearance on the BBC show "This Week". If a white person had made a similar comment and they had referred to a black/asian person's skin colour in that kind of manner, this board would currently have a ten page thread on its hands. In fact when David Cameron commented during one of the election debates that he had met a "black man" on the streets, I seem to remember a few comments being made on here criticising him.

Of course, those comments shouldn't really come as much of a surprise as she does has previous for that kind of thing. A few years ago, she stated that Finnish nurses working in her local hospital were unsuitable for that position because they will have never met a black person before. :bitchy:

In terms of Pinochet and Saddam, I was thinking of Margaret Thatcher rather than the candidates themselves; the point being that supporting murderers does not seem to be a barrier to the highest political office in the land.
I could have been clearer on that.
That either of these Dictators did not inflict any of their vicious crimes on the streets of the UK means nothing to me. It was quite clear that these despots were inflicting mass murder, yet they were embraced by our Government.
With regard to Diane Abbot; I agree with you 100%.

[Sir David Gray]

In terms of Pinochet and Saddam, I was thinking of Margaret Thatcher rather than the candidates themselves; the point being that supporting murderers does not seem to be a barrier to the highest political office in the land.
I could have been clearer on that.
That either of these Dictators did not inflict any of their vicious crimes on the streets of the UK means nothing to me. It was quite clear that these despots were inflicting mass murder, yet they were embraced by our Government.
With regard to Diane Abbot; I agree with you 100%.

I had guessed that you were talking about Thatcher and not any of the other candidates, I was just being a bit of a devil there!

Perhaps Pinochet and Saddam shouldn't have been embraced by our Government but I personally think that John McDonnell showing sympathy towards the Provisional IRA is worse because these people carried out their atrocities against British citizens.

It would be a bit like Anjem Choudary trying to become the PM after he has publicly sympathised with the 7/7 suicide bombers.

[hibsbollah]

I had guessed that you were talking about Thatcher and not any of the other candidates, I was just being a bit of a devil there!

Perhaps Pinochet and Saddam shouldn't have been embraced by our Government but I personally think that John McDonnell showing sympathy towards the Provisional IRA is worse because these people carried out their atrocities against British citizens.

It would be a bit like Anjem Choudary trying to become the PM after he has publicly sympathised with the 7/7 suicide bombers.


It was more than 'sympathy'he was expressing for the IRA...quite an amazing pronouncement 7 years ago.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2003/may/30/northernireland.devolution/print

[hibsbollah]

Kinnock is backing Ed Miliband. Which means he should probably be avoided at all costs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8699133.stm

[Phil D. Rolls]

I want the person who will come closest to reinstating clause four...to me that's what labour should be all about.

I want a sensible left wing party again...but one that is electable.

Times are only going to get worse for the working man in the next few years because nearly every industry is ****ed...I think NOW is the time for a more left wing labour to set its wheels in motion. It might seem extreme and unpallatable right now but once the mass unemployment and unrest increase it will be the only option for the majority of the population.

There are parties offering a genuine socialist option. Regrettably, Labour have as much chance of getting elected with Clause 4 as they do. That is to say no chance at all.

[steakbake]

I had guessed that you were talking about Thatcher and not any of the other candidates, I was just being a bit of a devil there!

Perhaps Pinochet and Saddam shouldn't have been embraced by our Government but I personally think that John McDonnell showing sympathy towards the Provisional IRA is worse because these people carried out their atrocities against British citizens.

It would be a bit like Anjem Choudary trying to become the PM after he has publicly sympathised with the 7/7 suicide bombers.

Really? Just "perhaps"? It's interesting how you grade people's lives according to where they are from...

So a British life claimed by an IRA terrorist is worth more on your moral scale, than a Chilean person who was murdered by their dictatorial government or a Kurd who was gassed by Saddam's army?

Which, would you say, is stronger in you: your patriotism or your compassion?

[Sir David Gray]

Really? Just "perhaps"? It's interesting how you grade people's lives according to where they are from...

So a British life claimed by an IRA terrorist is worth more on your moral scale, than a Chilean person who was murdered by their dictatorial government or a Kurd who was gassed by Saddam's army?

Which, would you say, is stronger in you: your patriotism or your compassion?

Let me clear this up, I have no time for Saddam Hussein and how he treated his people when he was the Iraqi President was deplorable. He was a very evil man and if I had been the British PM, I would have been opposed to him.

I have less knowledge of Pinochet but I gather that he was quite brutal against his people as well whilst he was in charge of Chile.

However, I think sometimes in international relations, you sometimes have to get on with people that you would rather not be friendly with, because of what that country could be worth to your own nation. It is quite often a very strange business.

I think the UK has been doing this type of thing for years. It's pretty similar today to our relations with Saudi Arabia. Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia's citizens have some of the least amount of freedoms in the entire world, the UK maintains close ties with them, presumably because of oil. I've no doubt that David Cameron, and previous Prime Ministers, would like to criticise the rulers of Saudi Arabia on their human rights record, but because of the importance of their oil reserves, no British Prime Minister will ever do that.

However, in terms of the IRA, I think it is fairly straightforward and black and white from a British point of view. They terrorised this country for many years (some of their splinter groups are still doing this today), killing and injuring many innocent people along the way and I just think that for any British person to show any kind of sympathy towards the IRA, particularly when that person is an MP and wants to lead one of the major parties in this country, is just disgusting and totally unacceptable.

[MacTheRat]

I want the person who will come closest to reinstating clause four...to me that's what labour should be all about.

I want a sensible left wing party again...but one that is electable.

Times are only going to get worse for the working man in the next few years because nearly every industry is ****ed...I think NOW is the time for a more left wing labour to set its wheels in motion. It might seem extreme and unpallatable right now but once the mass unemployment and unrest increase it will be the only option for the majority of the population.

Amen. The Wilson administrations seem Marxist in comparison to what Blair and Brown have done to working class people in Britain.

[LancashireHibby]

Andy Burnham, because he sent me a personalised Christmas card last year.

[New Corrie]

From an SNP point of view, I don't really care who becomes the UK labour leader as like the tories and liberals, the labour party are all unionists and in favour of a 'United' Kingdom which is on borrowed time.

In terms of a people qualities though, I think Andy Burnham is the best choice. I think most folk are fed up with the smarmy, spin that Blairites preach, and Andy is a down to earth guy who will probably appeal to the grass roots labour voters.

The election result would suggest otherwise. The nats could only muster 4% more than the Tories in Scotland and the Welsh nats got less than the BNP, how does that equate to the UK being on borrowed time?

[Hainan Hibs]

The election result would suggest otherwise. The nats could only muster 4% more than the Tories in Scotland and the Welsh nats got less than the BNP, how does that equate to the UK being on borrowed time?
http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/sb10068588v-005.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=6C4008C0FD9EB5A5C56E2B50B30268A658F9412BEA0E8009 E85EFC0E76A7E5D0EC06FC33E61B34D6
http://cwlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/fedup.jpg
http://images.veer.com/IMG/PIMG/ISP/ISP2088864_P.JPG
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/ruzanna/ruzanna0906/ruzanna090600031/5025600.jpg

[SHODAN]

I will be voting for John McDonnell or Diane Abbott. :aok:

[lyonhibs]

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/sb10068588v-005.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=6C4008C0FD9EB5A5C56E2B50B30268A658F9412BEA0E8009 E85EFC0E76A7E5D0EC06FC33E61B34D6
http://cwlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/fedup.jpg
http://images.veer.com/IMG/PIMG/ISP/ISP2088864_P.JPG
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/ruzanna/ruzanna0906/ruzanna090600031/5025600.jpg

I don't see how posting 4 pictures of folk looking bored by their computers denies the facts that the national election performance of the SNP was - for our proud group of "Local Champions" (aiming for 20 seats, doncha know :faf:) - an absolute joke.

If folk didn't want a UK government, presumably they would have voted in great numbers for the Pro-Independence options offered in Scotland and Wales?

[steakbake]

Saw Diane Abbott on Qtime. Okay, not exactly a commanding orator last night but Kelvin McKenzie was kind of enjoying the sound of his own voice for anyone to really get a word in edgeways.

I think she would restore a bit of much needed humility to Labour which might persuade people to back them.

However, I think it's fairly predictable that one of the Milibands will win.

[Hainan Hibs]

I don't see how posting 4 pictures of folk looking bored by their computers denies the facts that the national election performance of the SNP was - for our proud group of "Local Champions" (aiming for 20 seats, doncha know :faf:) - an absolute joke.

If folk didn't want a UK government, presumably they would have voted in great numbers for the Pro-Independence options offered in Scotland and Wales?

I wasn't denying anything. It was poor for the SNP however it was expected for me after the usual Labour scaremongering and the fact the TV debates gave huge coverage for the main parties and the SNP was left in the shadows.

The UK election is a completely different ball game to an actual Independence referendum or the Scottish Elections. I know people who would vote yes for independence however they voted Labour to "keep the tories" out as much use as that was and others voted for parties who they agreed with on issues reserved for the UK parliament because as much as they dislike it there are issues only the UK wide parties can deal with at Westminster.

Also the part of Corrie Greens post that states the Welsh Nationalists got less votes than the BNP is poor logic. UK wide the BNP got more votes however that would probably be down to the fact the BNP had representatives all over the UK, whereas Plaid Cymru were just in Wales. If we look at the Welsh figures alone it is

Plaid Cymru - 165,394
BNP - 23,088
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/region/10.stm

With the rise in the want for English Independence down south I think The Harp Awakes isn 't too far off the truth. We'll have to see what happens next year at the Scottish Elections and after 5 years of Tory rule.

Edit ( I apologise for the thread hijack!)

[Pretty Boy]

When i get my ballot paper through the post i will be placing an X beside Ed Millibands name. Unfortunately i think his big brother will win comfortably though.

[lyonhibs]

I strongly suspect David Miliband will win it.

Did anyone see John McDonnell's somewhat OTT reference to wishing he could have murdered Thatcher.

I know very few folk who like her, but he's just shot his already slim hopes of getting enough support to be a final round candidate with that level of extremist rubbish IMO

[lyonhibs]

I wasn't denying anything. It was poor for the SNP however it was expected for me after the usual Labour scaremongering and the fact the TV debates gave huge coverage for the main parties and the SNP was left in the shadows.

The UK election is a completely different ball game to an actual Independence referendum or the Scottish Elections. I know people who would vote yes for independence however they voted Labour to "keep the tories" out as much use as that was and others voted for parties who they agreed with on issues reserved for the UK parliament because as much as they dislike it there are issues only the UK wide parties can deal with at Westminster.

Also the part of Corrie Greens post that states the Welsh Nationalists got less votes than the BNP is poor logic. UK wide the BNP got more votes however that would probably be down to the fact the BNP had representatives all over the UK, whereas Plaid Cymru were just in Wales. If we look at the Welsh figures alone it is

Plaid Cymru - 165,394
BNP - 23,088
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/region/10.stm

With the rise in the want for English Independence down south I think The Harp Awakes isn 't too far off the truth. We'll have to see what happens next year at the Scottish Elections and after 5 years of Tory rule.

Edit ( I apologise for the thread hijack!)

Huh? I must have missed this? Apart from the derided non-entity that is the English Democrats, all the other parties that campaign in England do so from a fundamentally Unionist platform, do they not?

[heretoday]

Why no Peter Mandelson or Tony Blair option? In the absence of those two I will go David Miliband. Credibility, brains, articulate and a very decent guy too.

Yep, I hope and expect that he will get it. At least he's not coming out now with anti-war and anti-immigration stuff like Balls et al. Why didn't they say that when Labour was in power?

[Part/Time Supporter]

I note that the BBC is punting Diane off This Week for the duration of the leadership campaign.

No inconsistency between that and their application of impartiality rules during the general election.

:wink:

[GlesgaeHibby]

I can't believe the amount of support in this poll for Diane Abbott. The so called only real left wing candidate for the leaders job who sent her son to a top private school.

State schools are good enough for the rest of the country but not her son? :bye:

[MacTheRat]

I can't believe the amount of support in this poll for Diane Abbott. The so called only real left wing candidate for the leaders job who sent her son to a top private school.

State schools are good enough for the rest of the country but not her son? :bye:

She made no bones about the reasoning behind her decision when this story broke.
Good left wing credentials?

The only true working class Labour men that come to mind are Canavan, Skinner, Bevin and Bevan.

[hibsbollah]

Yep, I hope and expect that he will get it. At least he's not coming out now with anti-war and anti-immigration stuff like Balls et al. Why didn't they say that when Labour was in power?

Balls wasn't an MP when we went to war, he was an economic advisor to Gordon Brown, and so wouldnt have been asked his opinion on foreign policy by the press or anyone else.

[Hainan Hibs]

Huh? I must have missed this? Apart from the derided non-entity that is the English Democrats, all the other parties that campaign in England do so from a fundamentally Unionist platform, do they not?

There was a poll I saw that had the support for English Independence up at 48%. I'd try to find it but I've got a few things to do before my afternoon viewing of Daily Politics, Neighbours, Maury and Jerry Springer.

Back on the thread topic I would want Ed Miliband if I was a Labour supporter. I also don't understand why Abbott has got the support she has on here. Fair enough she is the most left wing but all I've heard from her is stuff along the lines of "Everyone else standing is white which is wrong".

[JimBHibees]

Yep, I hope and expect that he will get it. At least he's not coming out now with anti-war and anti-immigration stuff like Balls et al. Why didn't they say that when Labour was in power?

Spineless :confused:

[JimBHibees]

Balls wasn't an MP when we went to war, he was an economic advisor to Gordon Brown, and so wouldnt have been asked his opinion on foreign policy by the press or anyone else.

He has been an MP for a while though and gave IMO one of the worst performances ever on a Question Time programme just before the Election. His evasiveness to one question was excruciating.

[hibsbollah]

He has been an MP for a while though and gave IMO one of the worst performances ever on a Question Time programme just before the Election. His evasiveness to one question was excruciating.

He's been an MP only since 2005, and its illogical to think that he would knacker his own career by slagging off a decision that had already been made before his time in Government surely?:confused: What would be the point, especially when his job was dealing with schools?

[JimBHibees]

He's been an MP only since 2005, and its illogical to think that he would knacker his own career by slagging off a decision that had already been made before his time in Government surely?:confused: What would be the point, especially when his job was dealing with schools?

Fair point.

[Leicester Fan]

There was a poll I saw that had the support for English Independence up at 48%.

You can get polls to say anything if you ask the question in the right way. It's not a subject that ever comes up in conversation down here.

[lyonhibs]

You can get polls to say anything if you ask the question in the right way. It's not a subject that ever comes up in conversation down here.

That's pretty much what I thought re: the "enthusiasm" for English Independence south of the border.

66% of statistics are made up on the spot - remember that :greengrin

[New Corrie]

I can't believe the amount of support in this poll for Diane Abbott. The so called only real left wing candidate for the leaders job who sent her son to a top private school.
State schools are good enough for the rest of the country but not her son? :bye:


That'll be Johnathan Aitken's godson, anyway it's entirely up to her what she does re her son's education, she's worked very hard to get to where she is, and still has loads of credibility. Maybe she just wants to give her son some opportunities that she wasn't afforded. I like Diane Abbott a lot and wish her all the best, but I fear that she maybe just "to nice" for that post. It's more geared up for a ruthless Blair/Milliband type.

[steakbake]

I can't believe the amount of support in this poll for Diane Abbott. The so called only real left wing candidate for the leaders job who sent her son to a top private school.

State schools are good enough for the rest of the country but not her son? :bye:

Has he got a private school all to himself? :confused:

[RyeSloan]

I can't believe the amount of support in this poll for Diane Abbott. The so called only real left wing candidate for the leaders job who sent her son to a top private school.

State schools are good enough for the rest of the country but not her son? :bye:

I love this kind of stuff....is no one allowed to progress...if she was born in a council house should she have to stay in one for the rest of her life in case she would not be considered 'real' left wing when it came to a leadership race??

[steakbake]

I love this kind of stuff....is no one allowed to progress...if she was born in a council house should she have to stay in one for the rest of her life in case she would not be considered 'real' left wing when it came to a leadership race??

No - she must live her life strictly as left wingers want her to live it. I think they'll want to know how much of her TV appearance money she gives to the Zapatistas. I hope she doesn't own any property or else she's really for it...

[MacTheRat]

No - she must live her life strictly as left wingers want her to live it. I think they'll want to know how much of her TV appearance money she gives to the Zapatistas. I hope she doesn't own any property or else she's really for it...

The 'REAL' lefties in society come from that odd background mix of wealth, privilege and private education, the Oxbridge set.
They feel an enormous sense of guilt for the sins of 'The bright young things' generation of their elders and set about redeeming themselves by going to the other extreme.

Add a frisson of culture along the way courtesy of the Redgrave dynasty.

I don't think Diane Abbott is quite there yet but given time............

[Leicester Fan]

I love this kind of stuff....is no one allowed to progress...if she was born in a council house should she have to stay in one for the rest of her life in case she would not be considered 'real' left wing when it came to a leadership race??
The thing is (before her son went there) she wanted to ban private schools, as do most left wingers. It's a case of don't do as I do, do as I say.