UK Labour PLP Chair election (and other internal contests)

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Baxter might currently be based in London, but she's Scottish. Voted for her last time and will do again.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

But I was probably too tired to recall it when I reached her after the whole Labour First/Grassroots Alliance slates

Understandable

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Nice to see Wheeler back; good to have someone representing Not London. Baxter re-elected (and elected properly for the first time) is objectively positive or something. Bit of a shame about Akehurst, but that's what happens when you carry yourself in the way that he does. And the traditional 'lol' about Shawcroft getting back on again.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Of course a CLP section comprised of Livingstone, Black, Reeves, Shawcroft, Baxter and Wheeler means that the political diversity of the membership is nicely reflected in its representatives. Shawcroft might be useless and of questionable sanity, but a significant percentage of Party members do hold hard left views. And so on.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The fact Ken finished first just shows how inane these name recognition contests are.

Obviously name recognition is a factor, but it also reflects the fact that London CLPs are larger than CLPs elsewhere for reasons that go back to the 1920s. Anyways, note that Black and Reeves are always pretty safe; that's not because of name recognition but because they're responsive and productive representatives who avoid factional bomb-throwing.