Labour's Big Change?

doctordunc Mon Nov 13, 2006 at 04:20:44 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Some of you may have missed a new initiative last week.  A new campaign, originating from the Labour backbenches.  It is not quite clear whether the small band of supporters represent a new parliamentary 'group' or whether it somehow ties in with the leadership contest, but I'm sure there are many of us who would welcome the .'Big Change' statement



BUT...  

...wouldn't the arguments of this small select band of parliamentarians be much better served by being added to those of a growing number of grassroots activists who are endorsing John McDonnell's leadership bid?  The 'Big Change' has barely been discussed in the media or the blogosphere, and I've only come across it from following links from 'blogs' critical of Meacher and his alleged leadership ambitions.

Clearly the likes of Alan Simpson (one of my political heroes) and Kelvin Hopkins are the natural allies of the likes of John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn and Tony Benn, etc. and should be working with them now to further the policies mentioned in the 'big change' statement and on the John4Leader site.  They may very well be doing so - but now is the time to make that explicit, silence whispering campaigns about 'splits', etc. and actually make the sorts of 'big changes' so many of us want to see.


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Labour's Big Change? | 7 comments (7 topical)

Re: Labour's Big Change? (#1)

by otware on Mon Nov 13, 2006 at 05:43:19 PM GMT

Is this small group of MPs going to support John McDonnell for the leadership? They would certainly add some decent centre-left weight to the campaign...

And out of interest, why has John McDonnell disappeared from Second Guess?


Re: Labour's Big Change? (#2)

by doctordunc on Mon Nov 13, 2006 at 06:35:20 PM GMT

Honest answer - I don't know!  I think they SHOULD.  Perhaps those who feel the same should lobby them to that effect.  Certainly, there is unlikely to be another candidate whose policies will bear any resemblance to the concerns expressed in their 'big change' statement.


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Re: Labour's Big Change? (#3)

by doctordunc on Mon Nov 13, 2006 at 06:39:13 PM GMT

As for the Second Guess thing - I guess he has temporarily fallen below the necessary number of parliamentary nominations.  Of course, those with very few nominations - and John Reid who has said he won't stand - are taking nominations away from Brown and McDonnell (admittedly, apart from Meacher, they're mainly from Brown!)


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Re: Labour's Big Change? (#4)

by nickparrott on Mon Nov 13, 2006 at 09:54:28 PM GMT

He's on 12.4% and you need 12.5% of the PLP to nominate you to get in to the race.

The list of Meacher's nominations includes three Government Whips and Tony Blair's PPS, so I struggle to take it too seriously. John Reid's list looks a bit more sensible, if a tad optimistic, but I agree he is unlikely to stand anyway. Johnson has now pulled out, Benn has shied away and Straw was never in, so it does look like McDonnell is the only challenger to me. But there is a long way to go and I guess some people are thinking things will change!


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Re: Labour's Big Change? (#5)

by redpants on Tue Nov 14, 2006 at 10:10:28 AM GMT

Come off it Doctor Dunc.  This is the stop McDonnell Campaign inauguration. God speed Michael, you may not get to be leader, but at least you'll blow the wheels of the McDonnell moped.

And frankly - there is a lot in that statement that Gordon ought to acknowledge.


Re: Labour's Big Change? (#6)

by Anonymous on Tue Nov 14, 2006 at 01:36:11 PM GMT

Well it entirely depends if you want party members to have a choice come the leadership election.  If Michael Meacher wants to stand (and he hasn't intimated that) then I'm afraid he won't get nominated, and would have very little grassroots support.  I think he understands that very well. I realise some - like you - want him to stand just to take a handful of nominees away from McDonnell (which may be just enough to see Gordon unchallenged) - but I don't think Michael, Alan or Kelvin want to see that.  They've made it very clear that Gordon Brown needs to be challenged.  So I think it's pretty clear what they need to do.


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Re: Labour's Big Change? (#7)

by Anonymous on Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 03:10:04 PM GMT

absolutely - the Meacher "bandwagon" hasn't  got a chance  ofgertting on the ballot paper  and neither has John McDonnell  unless his  comrades in the PLP  get their fingers out - there are loads of grassroots  votes for him - but the drones @ Westminster grow  increasingly  spineless. Alan S and Kelvin H should  stop this  foolish  faction fighting  ..they won't be forgiven ifthey don't


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Labour's Big Change? | 7 comments (7 topical)