The Labour Thread

[Stevencc]

Corbyn handled that like a boss.

 

[Pagnell]

That was pathetic and desperate from Newman. Almost Kay Burleyesque in her attempt to make a big issue out of something as trivial as throwing money into a bucket 15 years ago.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Burnham and Cooper having a big paddy at each other. Loved the comment about Cooper's attack on Burnham coming "straight out of her husband Ed Ball's book".

Then there's kendal struggling to fight off questions labeling her as a Tory.

Only Corbyn seems able to stay calm.

 

[Pliny Harris]

What does everyone think of the deputy leadership election? Any preferences/why? I've been neglecting my research but am encouraged by Watson and Creasy.

 

[Veggie Legs]

I like Tom Watson so would be happy with him, he seems to be the favourite at the moment.

 

[Alty]

Not convinced the deputy leader makes one iota of difference to anything.

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Not convinced the deputy leader makes one iota of difference to anything.

But...but...but Clegg...softer Tory cuts....

Supposedly.

 

[ccfctommy]

What does everyone think of the deputy leadership election? Any preferences/why? I've been neglecting my research but am encouraged by Watson and Creasy.

I have no idea about it apart from Tom Watson. The media have totally blanked it. I may not vote in this when my election papers some through.

 

[Pliny Harris]

The reason Watson appeals to me is his decent work in giving Murdoch a good slap following the phone hacking scandal. A deputy leader who has moral high ground in the public's eye over Murdoch (and ergo his press) would be handy when the latter attempt to give the next Labour leader(s) a relentless battering.

 

[Captain Scumbag]

What is the main purpose of the Deputy Leader? Is it to provide sturdy support to the Leader, or is it to act as some kind of counterbalancing force? Is it to work with the whips to ensure party discipline, or is it to be party peacemaker? Does it involve a central role with regard to things like policy development and election strategy, or is more about forging links with ordinary members and organising campaigns? Is it just a high profile but powerless role which the party uses to tick a PR box?

I honestly don't know. Whatever the purpose is, I do find the idea of electing the Deputy Leader rather strange. Shouldn't it be for the Leader to define the role and appoint their preferred candidate? Or, if you really have to make it subject to some kind of democratic process, wouldn't it be better to elect the Leader first? Why organise the thing in a way which could potentially lead to the election of a Leader and Deputy Leader who hate each other's guts?

I'd probably vote for Stella, but only because she's (kinda) sexy in a priggish Plain Jane sorta way and I'd rather see her on the opposition front bench than Angela Eagle. In terms of political theatre, a Corbyn-Flint duo would probably be the most fun.

 

[Pliny Harris]

I've heard, and would agree with, most of those questions as to a deputy's role! But assuming Corbyn gets in and Labour give him some time, the deputy's best role would be as a unifying force, and I hope the greatest number of MPs contribute to that uniting force, whatever the weather, for the sake of having an opposition.

Creasey is tempting for my vote because her priorities would keep the feminism of Cooper fans in check under a Corbyn leadership, and that is perfectly relevant fight, imo. She seems decent really, if only because she's a Pixies fan.

Glad that Flint's big moment in the sun was being described as "window dressing" by Gordon Brown. Any chance of her winning would be shocking. She'd be just as damaging alongside Kendall because you simply can't assemble an opposition with a duo that far gone into Tory rhetoric.

Again, assuming a Corbyn victory, I'd venture a guess that an elected leader would be better for party unity than if JC suddenly decided John McDonnell or even Harry Harpham would be his #2.

 

[Tilbury]

Just voted for Corbyn and Creasy. Not sure it is really that important but I really like Stella, so would be happy if she had a lot more influence.

 

[mnb089mnb]

I'd probably vote for Stella, but only because she's (kinda) sexy in a priggish Plain Jane sorta way and I'd rather see her on the opposition front bench than Angela Eagle. In terms of political theatre, a Corbyn-Flint duo would probably be the most fun.

I've started to doubt all of my political views now I've reached an age where I've begun to fancy politicians.

 

[Red]

I've started to doubt all of my political views now I've reached an age where I've begun to fancy politicians.

I know what you mean. Angela Eagle is hot

 

[AFCB_Mark]

During the Blair years there was Presscot as deputy, as a more old school Labour figure to presumably ensure the left of the party stayed on board. Perhaps if Corbyn gets the top job, that might be best reversed and you could see someone from the centre/right of the party in there?

 

[Alty]

During the Blair years there was Presscot as deputy, as a more old school Labour figure to presumably ensure the left of the party stayed on board. Perhaps if Corbyn gets the top job, that might be best reversed and you could see someone from the centre/right of the party in there?

Don't disagree with your point in as much as Prescott was there as a sort of security blanket for the old guard, but he was never really on the left of the party. That's a common misconception.

 

[Jockney]

Just voted for Corbyn and Creasy. Not sure it is really that important but I really like Stella, so would be happy if she had a lot more influence.

She's my local MP and without pissin' on your bonfire too much, she is a classic example of the so-called progressive Labour MP who talkz a big anti-austerity game but is just as neo-liberal as her contemporaries when it comes to action. More recently seen abstaining on the welfare bill and obliviously defending centrism in her semi-regular Guardian op-ed pieces. She can get fucked.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Hmm. Don't have much of an opinion on Creasy but my mate (lives locally and just about the only committed Tory I know - there's a theme here) seems to quite fancy her (bloody glad I haven't begun to fancy any politicians TBQH). Is rather less convinced, and quite amused, by the AWSOMESTOW branding

FWIW, Creasy and Watson seem like the least worst Dep options to me (tbh so long as the AWFUL Flint doesn't get in I couldn't really care less. Should prob be backing the two gayz tbh, I'm a fucking traitor)

 

[TractorBoys]

Interesting little read....
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/natio...-labour-leadership/ar-BBlWzqv?ocid=spartandhp

 

[Red]

Interesting little read....
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/natio...-labour-leadership/ar-BBlWzqv?ocid=spartandhp

I'm not sure what capital they're trying to get by citing what Yaqoob said about 7/7 being a reprisal. It seems to me it was a reprisal too.

 

[rudebwoyben]

I'm not sure what capital they're trying to get by citing what Yaqoob said about 7/7 being a reprisal. It seems to me it was a reprisal too.

It's pretty evident that it was.
Actually I'm really pleased to hear that Salma Yaqoob is involved in Corbyn's campaign, she's always been impressive on Question Time. I went for Angela Eagle as deputy leader, Tom Watson has too much of that anti-democratic New Labour background to him although naturally his work on the phone-hacking scandal was sterling. Bradshaw (who I received no campaign information from) and Flint are at the bottom of my preferences!
I went for Christian Wolmar for the Labour Mayor of London nomination.

 

[Captain Scumbag]

bloody glad I haven't begun to fancy any politicians TBQH

Sorry, but I'm calling bullshit on that one. You're in your thirties now, which means your aesthetic standards have gone to pot. Plus, all those late Thursday nights, glugging Blue Nun straight from the bottle and watching Question Time and This Week into the wee small hours? Hard to believe there wasn't at least one pathetic wank to the sight of Zak Goldsmith (or perhaps Michael Fabricant) in there somewhere.

 

[Alty]

Sorry, but I'm calling bullshit on that one. You're in your thirties now, which means your aesthetic standards have gone to pot. Plus, all those late Thursday nights, glugging Blue Nun straight from the bottle and watching Question Time and This Week into the wee small hours? Hard to believe there wasn't at least one pathetic wank to the sight of Zak Goldsmith (or perhaps Michael Fabricant) in there somewhere.

Absolutely scandalous accusation. Blue Nun? The worst Pineapple would do is London Pride and that's only if there was no other option.

 

[Pliny Harris]

Doom Bar is the scourge of the politician-fancying classes.

 

[smat]

Prime Minister Corbyn and the 1,000 days that destroyed Britain

Scary stuff. Fingers crossed for Yvette Cooper then.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Prime Minister Corbyn and the 1,000 days that destroyed Britain

Scary stuff. Fingers crossed for Yvette Cooper then.

Why? What has Yvette Cooper shown during this campaign to show that she could over-turn the current Tory majority and become PM? She's run the mealiest of mealy-mouthed campaigns.

 

[Cardsfan]

Why? What has Yvette Cooper shown during this campaign to show that she could over-turn the current Tory majority and become PM? She's run the mealiest of mealy-mouthed campaigns.

Whooooooooosh.

 

[Pliny Harris]

Prime Minister Corbyn and the 1,000 days that destroyed Britain

Scary stuff. Fingers crossed for Yvette Cooper then.

When was the turning point where the right decided Corbyn wouldn't be a pushover in opposition, and realised that actually his sound economics might find the austerians out?

 

[.V.]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics...s-backing-anti-austerity-policies-corbynomics

 

[Red]

More than 40 leading economists, including a former adviser to the Bank of England, have made public their support for Jeremy Corbyn’s policies, dismissing claims that they are extreme, in a major boost to the leftwinger’s campaign to be leader.

His opposition to austerity is actually mainstream economics, even backed by the conservative IMF. He aims to boost growth and prosperity.”

I hope Jezza can get effectively get this across.