Labour Party (UK) Leadership Election, 2010 Discussion Thread

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Are you all sitting down? Yes? Good. Because Dennis Skinner has just endorsed David Miliband.

I thought he nominated Diane Abbott....?

He did, but MPs don't have to vote for who they nominate. Skinner's decision isn't actually all that surprising; David Miliband's proposed policies aren't actually significantly to the right of the other candidates ('cept Abbott, obviously) and Skinner hates the Tories more than anyone else on the planet and obviously thinks that Miliband is the biggest threat to them. There's been a lot of cross-factional support this leadership election, which is interesting.

[doktorb]

Are you all sitting down? Yes? Good. Because Dennis Skinner has just endorsed David Miliband.

I thought he nominated Diane Abbott....?

He did, but MPs don't have to vote for who they nominate. Skinner's decision isn't actually all that surprising; David Miliband's proposed policies aren't actually significantly to the right of the other candidates ('cept Abbott, obviously) and Skinner hates the Tories more than anyone else on the planet and obviously thinks that Miliband is the biggest threat to them. There's been a lot of cross-factional support this leadership election, which is interesting.

Ickle Ed Miliband must be somewhat angry.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

From an online Left voting guide to the other internal elections (in this case for the NPF)...

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Of course there aren't. lol.

[Phony Moderate]

From an online Left voting guide to the other internal elections (in this case for the NPF)...

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Of course there aren't. lol.

Dave Nellist.

[You kip if you want to...]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/younger-miliband-to-win-says-poll-2077179.html

Erm... WHAT?

If EdM wins, 2015 will be another 1983 for Labour. DM is running to be PM, EM is running to be leader of the opposition.

[Oakvale]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/younger-miliband-to-win-says-poll-2077179.html

Erm... WHAT?

If EdM wins, 2015 will be another 1983 for Labour. DM is running to be PM, EM is running to be leader of the opposition.

I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do agree that choosing Ed Miliband over David would be a serious mistake for Labour.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The election of Ed Miliband will cause a large section of the Party to break away, how, exactly? He's not the Bennite that certain irresponsible* sections of his brothers supporters have been far too keen to claim and imply. The GMB are backing him for fyc's sake.

*and deluded; even a David Miliband led Labour Party would have policies significantly to the left of the 1997-2010 government. Which leadership candidate is calling for the ending of charity status for private schools, again? Oh...

[Phony Moderate]

Betfair and Extrabet have Ed Miliband at 11/5. Worth a tenner, methinks.

[Phony Moderate]

Generally, it's the Labour Right who have proven themselves to be disloyal, opportunistic, careerist, etc. When did the Labour Left ever form a (significant) breakaway party?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Generally, it's the Labour Right who have proven themselves to be disloyal, opportunistic, careerist, etc.

Well, one part of the Right, anyway. The other part (always the larger part; the working class pragmatists and their intellectual sympathisers) has tended to be the opposite.

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The ILP broke away in the 1930s, but that would be the last occasion.

[Phony Moderate]

Someone looks old:

[Insula Dei]

Someone looks old:

Somehow he also manages to look healthier and ,well, more at ease too.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Just looks like the abandoning of hair dye.

[You kip if you want to...]

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When I see the person who members think is second best leading 51-49, I understand fully why we're in opposition.

[You kip if you want to...]

As the day gets closer, i'm getting more confident that EdM will pull an upset (unfortunately). He can't win a general.

[Phony Moderate]

What's the schedule for next Saturday?

[Oakvale]

As the day gets closer, i'm getting more confident that EdM will pull an upset (unfortunately). He can't win a general.

Me too. It's genuinely depressing.

[Јas]

Youngest serious contender has inherent advantage?
- The Crick Hypothesis

[Phony Moderate]

Ftr, there's a special edition of Question Time on tonight, with the Labour Leadership Candidates.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Just filled out my ballot. Not quite the order I was expecting to put in a few months ago, but a surprisingly good campaign by one candidate changed my mind. Highest Miliband is 3rd.

NEC vote was four Right, two Left. NPF vote was based on, um, dice.

[You kip if you want to...]

Am I the only person who's grown tired of the phrase: "David Miliband reminds me of Tony Blair too much."?

[Хahar 🤔]

Am I the only person who's grown tired of the phrase: "David Miliband reminds me of Tony Blair too much."?

He's certainly the most like Blair of any of the candidates.

[You kip if you want to...]

Am I the only person who's grown tired of the phrase: "David Miliband reminds me of Tony Blair too much."?

He's certainly the most like Blair of any of the candidates.

Why is that bad though? Under Blair, Labour won three elections. Whether you think he's right wing or not, Blair was better than any Tory would've been.

[minionofmidas]

David Milliband reminds me of Nick Clegg too much.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

An email from David Miliband's campaign makes great play of the Skinner endorsement. Importance also placed on first preferences, which is interesting.