Comments on: Labour’s leadership row hots up

By: susan press

susan press — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:26:23 +0000

As my blog points out, John McDonnell is a politician of integrity and commitment who has spent nearly a YEAR travelling the country and speaking to trade union and Party members. He has won huge support from the grassroots.Trade unions like ASLEF have already nominated him. So have groups like the Campaign For Labour Party Democracy, Welsh Labour Grassroots, Campaign For Socialism in Scotland, the T + G Broad Left, Amicus Unity Gazette. In short, he’s backed by thousands . Unfortunately, wjhether he gets to stand or not will depend on the PLP ( most of whom are pretty spineless)Michael Meacher,by way of contrast, has no support at all in the unions or CLPs, no MPwilling to back him publicly. And no credibility AT ALL as a left leadership.
Throughout the past year, John has conducted his campaign with dignity and integrity.In the face of much sniping andsneering ( I see there is some here ) Meacher’s disgraceful and delusional outpourings would, as my Granny used to say, make the Pope swear. If John is angry he has every right to be. So are thousands of his supporters.Hence our Stand Down Meacher ! campaign. I have been in the Labour Party for 30 years.John McDonnell is the best chance we have had for a generation to get socialism back on the agenda. So, no, we don’t want Meacher to screw it all up.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:26:59 +0000

I like mens sana’s comment No 12 – and Richard, Joke McConell also slipped my mind.

By: mens sana

mens sana — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:41:05 +0000

Richard thanks for pointing that out. How illuminating that no-one noticed. I wouldn’t know him from Adam

By: Richard Havers

Richard Havers — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:01:35 +0000

Ellee, I think you have the wrong picture. The one on the right looks nothing like Joke McConnell!

By: mens sana

mens sana — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 20:22:56 +0000

Let them get on with it. Great fun, but sadly Brown will crush either of them.

Mind you I think the only thing more frightening than the idea of a Brown premiership is Meacher as PM

By: Jean-Luc Picard

Jean-Luc Picard — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:09:32 +0000

All this will only make Gordon Brown walk in. To gain respect, he should call a proper contest.

By: Quasar9

Quasar9 — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:58:11 +0000

Eeer sorry Elle,
couldn’t think of anything worthwhile to say about Meacher and whoever. They’ve had ten years and they’ve shown that they have nothing different or ‘new’ to offer from the old conservatives

By: Quasar9

Quasar9 — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:56:19 +0000

I think Gordon Brown is gonna be sweating.

With Labour losing even more Council seats in local elections, and old labour not only disenfranchised by Blair’s New Labour, it is going to be hard for Gordon Brown to pick-up the baton for the home run at the next general election. What has he got up his sleeve or can he conjure out of his top hat, that will sway the core labour voters back to Labour at the next general election.

Can’t be fear of letting the Tories in, there is nothing the Tories would do that Blair has not done
1) Tuition fees & top up fees for HE
2) Privatisation of the NHS & PFI hospitals
3) Wholesale (or giveaway) of Council Housing to private Housing Associations.

Cameron if he last longer than Ian Hague & IDS can probably waltz in by default – with wishy washy noises about the environment & health?

Give people local power over the Councils – oh yeah – rich!!!
Rent to mortgage schemes – lol lol lol

By: jameshigham

jameshigham — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:16:57 +0000

We just have to hope they keep at it hammer and tongs.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:44:55 +0000

Hi Mr Admin, yes, I can see what you have done. Thank you, I am always thanking you, and you know I am very grateful.