Labour leadership contest

13 Replies to “Labour leadership contest”

1. The absolute first, second and third priority is to elect a Labour leader that is fully electable and who can beat Boris Johnson. To a large extent and within reason, policy differences are not so important. In my opinion the only one of the three candidates that can beat that awful man Boris Johnson is Sir Keir Starmer. If the Labour Party is to have a future at all he must be their next leader.

2. I’d go for nandy

3. Yes (agreeing with ‘Alan’), the main thing is for them to be electable (although principled too of course), or we’ll be stuck with a bunch of neo-liberals for ever. Especially is Scotland stays SNP or goes independent.

4. Alan is right – its got to be Kier Starmer first because he’s electable, second as a very effective lawyer he has the best chance of doing what an opposition is there for – holding the Government’s feet to the fire, something sadly missing for the whole of the lost decade.

5. I wasn’t expecting to be asked, so thank you. Please go for Starmer, in my view the most effective against a dangerous government.

6. I’d be wary of any candidate who isn’t open about who has funded their election campaign.

7. Lisa Nandy.

   I think she will be better at connecting with those red wall voters that Labour must win back to stand any chance of electoral success. I know she isn’t popular north of the border, but then I don’t think that really matters any more. The impending hard Brexit that Johnson seems eager to pursue will virtually guarantee Scottish independence before long. And who can blame them?

   Starmer would be ok, I don’t think he would do a bad job. He is obviously very talented and principled. I do wonder what people actually mean when they say he is ‘electable’? I always thought it is a bit of a nebulous term. And from whose perspective? I wonder if those who describe Starmer as ‘electable’ would have said the same about Trump in 2015, or Johnson in 2018?

   I’m pretty certain that Starmer will be the next Labour leader, just as I’m certain that if it is Long-Bailey, then the Labour Party will not be in Government anytime soon.

8. If Starmer gets the job the media will monster him over decisions he took as DPP in relation to grooming gangs and Saville.

   Just like they monstered Corbyn for being an anti Semite, a terrorist sympathiser and a traitor.

   But at least he’ll have the support of Blair, Mandelson, Chukka and his chums, the Guardian etc. Just what you need to win back the red wall seats.

9. I gave you my advice in 2015 but you ignored it and voted for Corbyn. Look how that ended. You’re on your own this time.

10. The trouble is that Labour is the only choice! If the opposition parties had worked together we wouldn’t be in this dreadful situation. OK, get Labour in then press for PR, then join the Greens and get Caroline Lucas as PM.

    1. Richard – I’m up for that, let’s do it!

11. It’s a tough choice, if only because all the candidates would be good leaders of the party. I’ve wavered towards Starmer thinking he would be most likely to win the next election but then I’ve remembered the truism that parties don’t win elections, rather governments lose them. Perhaps Blair would not have won in 97 had there not been such animosity towards Major, his government and the Conservatives in general. Long-Bailey was impressive against Sunak in a televised pre-election debate. She had facts and figures to mind whereas Sunak reeled out tired platitudes. I think she would be a formidable opponent to Johnson. I think one should decide who most represents their values and aspirations and vote for that person.
    Having said that, I’d go with Richard and Mark for Caroline Lucas any day.

12. Given the public statements by the two female candidates, relating to a certain delicate and highly controversial gender issue, I fear that were either of them to become party leader Labour can safely kiss goodbye to winning another general election.

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