The Sun back Johnson for Deputy against "lefty" Hain

Andrea Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 10:05:03 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

The Sun has declared its support to Alan Johnson to become Deputy Leader in a piece where they strongly attack Peter Hain.



Peter Hain has got lots of criticism by the Sun in the last few days and has been branded as a leftist who wants to become the champion of Labour's dinosaurs. On the other hand they praise Alan Johnson for his moderniser credentials.

I don't know this endorsement will play out. Certainly there're members who can be interested in what the Sun says to keep "Middle England" voters. On the other hand the Sun has often been champion of not progressive agenda (read a Richard Littlejohn's column at random!) that Labour has tried to fight. So some members can think Hain could have done something right if he angered the Sun!


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The Sun back Johnson for Deputy against "lefty" Hain | 34 comments (34 topical)

Re: The Sun back Johnson for Depu (#1)

by Glass House on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 11:38:29 AM GMT

Wow!


Re: The Sun back Johnson for Depu (#2)

by grimupnorth on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 11:54:21 AM GMT

Well,  that's plenty  more  votes  for Hain  in the bag then.Excellent


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Depu (#5)

by swatantra on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 02:12:31 PM GMT

I wouldn't be too sure of that. The Sun regards
Johnson as a safe pair of hands, whereas Hain is far too unpredictable; no one knows where he stands. Can he be trusted?


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Re: The Sun (#3)

by doctordunc on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 12:26:07 PM GMT

Yes, as this is an internal election, I can't see this being particularly good news for Alan Johnson.


Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#4)

by Graham on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 12:35:27 PM GMT

I came over here to post about exactly this.
We've done something about it on the Daily:
http://the-daily.org/2007/02/17/alan-johnson-is-the-murdoch-candidate/

What a cheek - he is still saying that he is "not willing to participate in joint deputy leadership events when the party needs to be focussed on supporting our candidates in the local, Scottish and Welsh elections." But despite that, he is working with the Sun for their endorsement, announcing supporters to the Times, opening an office in Leeds, doing interviews with the New Statesman; but he is not willing to do meetings in front of Labour Party members to debate the future of the party.


Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#21)

by bornin84 on Sun Feb 18, 2007 at 05:35:52 PM GMT

Who IS willing to participate in joint deputy leadership events exactly? Is it only those participants not in the Cabinet?


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#24)

by Graham on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 07:25:35 AM GMT

At the moment, Harman and Cruddas are. Johnson, Benn and Hain are not.

I think that the real reason for it is that the cabinet members want to milk their media profile for as long as possible before engaging in real debate in front of party members. That way they get a built in lead for as long as possible and they get off to a runner while the others have a standing start.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#29)

by laurencemarshall on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 11:34:31 PM GMT

Graham, perhaps as ministers they are doing what they are paid to do and running the country. I'm sure it would be nice for Jon Cruddas to have them resign and openly campaign, but I think doing what they were elected to do is, somewhat, a far higher calling.

I'm for Cruddas, but quite frankly, asking cabinet members to resign to campaign for the deputy leadership is a bit of a silly thing to say.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#30)

by HenryG on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 10:56:36 AM GMT

I'm all for cabinet ministers concentrating on their day jobs. But if they can fit in extensive rounds of Lets Talk events, then surely they can fit in the odd hustings.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#32)

by Ian G on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 11:59:03 AM GMT

While I'm a big fan of Cruddas, I agree it's hardy sensible to ask for a mass resignation of cabinet ministers who are deputy leadership candidates.

Nevertheless those candidates in the cabinet want to have their cake and eat it. They are lobbying in the PLP, spinning in the press, but yet refusing to debate openly in front of ordinary party members.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#34)

by bornin84 on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 08:58:09 PM GMT

But the first contest is in the PLP. You have to get your nominations from MPs first, so there is no point concentrating on party members if they are not going to be able to convince MPs to vote for them


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#6)

by JamesM on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 08:21:03 PM GMT

I haven't yet come to a firm view on the deputy leadership, but Johnson, Blears and Benn are all attractive possibilities. This story wouldn't put me off Johnson one iota.


Re: The Sun back Johnson (#7)

by Glass House on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 08:28:48 PM GMT

My thoughts exactly.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#8)

by JR on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:10:27 PM GMT

I don't think it would put anyone off really James.

If The Sun supports Johnson, then that will only boost his campaign, not make it worse. Which is unfortunate because I don't particularly want him to win.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#9)

by doctordunc on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:17:12 PM GMT

It may not put many off, but I can't see it being a boost for him either.  I don't think many Labour member take their political lead from the Sun.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#10)

by Glass House on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:21:59 PM GMT

I think more members than you might think take not of a publication whos endorsement (much as they might hate it) suggests 'electable'


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#11)

by JR on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:24:41 PM GMT

You'd be surprised. The Sun is very much a working class paper and whilst it may be too rightward-leaning for many in the Labour party, I'm sure plenty of Labour members read it occasionally.

Also, newspaper support has a big impact on members who want to pick a candidate who is suitable to the electorate as a whole and The Sun certainly does reflect general working class feeling in Britain, thus why its one of the most popular papers (apart from page 3 of course!). When the media start labelling candidates as 'lefties' it immediately tarnishes those candidates and Labour members pick up on that very quickly.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#12)

by doctordunc on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:29:20 PM GMT

I'm sure plenty of Labour members read it, I just very much doubt they'll consult it on the issue of who they'll support for the deputy leadership.

Assuming there will be a leadership contest (and I believe there will be) - the deputy leadership contest will probably end up being a fairly low-key sideshow.  Johnson may do okay, but I doubt this endorsement will make much difference either way.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#13)

by JR on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:34:48 PM GMT

It's the other way around. The leadership 'contest' will become a sideshow because there's only one guy who can win it. The deputy leadership is the only one that could be close - there is no obvious frontrunner in my opinion.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#17)

by doctordunc on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 10:55:54 PM GMT

(Ignoring the first bit) - in the end who the deputy leader of the party is is largely symbolic.  I don't think it will capture the media's imagination much.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#14)

by Andrea on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:40:59 PM GMT

I think the Sun isn't better than the Daily Mail on various issues (homophobia, their gypsy obsession,...).
 


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#15)

by Glass House on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 09:52:41 PM GMT

True - the gyspy thing especiall p*sses me off.

That said, JR's not wrong about it's influence


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#16)

by swatantra on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 10:00:18 PM GMT

The Sun is an absolutely awful paper and I'm continually surprised that some of our supporters actually read it; perhaps its only for the sports section and not the editorials. Still, there's no accounting for taste.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#20)

by bornin84 on Sun Feb 18, 2007 at 05:34:09 PM GMT

Have you not been to a Labour Party meeting/event recently?!!!


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Re: The Sun back Johnson (#18)

by JR on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 11:53:01 PM GMT

I think the Sun isn't better than the Daily Mail on various issues (homophobia, their gypsy obsession

I never said it was!


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#19)

by stuartbruce on Sun Feb 18, 2007 at 11:27:34 AM GMT

I just want to state OFFICIALLY that Alan did not court, co-operate or work with The Sun in order to seek its endorsement. People are wrong to speculate about how The Sun and George Pascoe Watson operate. Alan did not 'sit down', 'work with' or 'co-operate' with anyone from The Sun. The first that Alan and his campaign team knew about the endorsement was when The Sun informed us on Friday afternoon that it was running a story endorsing him in Saturday's paper. Alan is also adamant that the deputy leadership contest should be contested in a comradely manner.

I also want to add a PERSONAL comment that whatever you and I may think of The Sun, it is the most widely read paper in the country and many of those readers are our comrades in the Labour and trade union movement and deserve our respect.

Stuart Bruce
Alan Johnson Campaign Team


Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#23)

by bornin84 on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 11:52:34 PM GMT

But the Johnson4Deputy Team have sent out emails highlighting this fact and it is "Breaking News" on your website! So surely you feel there is quite a lot of value in it!


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#25)

by Ian G on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 09:19:27 AM GMT

So trade union members deserve our respect, but they shouldn't vote for candidates who are pro-union?

That's what The Sun said...


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#27)

by Glass House on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 10:15:16 AM GMT

Johnson's the only Union man standing


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#31)

by Ian G on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 11:50:27 AM GMT

Then why does the Sun say that he's better than Hain because Hain is pro-union? Like it or not, The Sun is implying that Johnson is not pro-union, I'm still waiting for Johnson to correct this misconception, if misconception it is. Endorsements in those terms are unlikely to help I would have thought.

And saying he's the only union man is ridiculous. He might be the only ex-general secretary, but that's hardly the same thing.


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Re: The Sun back Johnson for Deputy (#33)

by Glass House on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 03:40:03 PM GMT

Oh what the hell would the Sun know?

The fact that Johnson rose through the ranks of trade unionism and became a general secretary should tell you everything you need to know about how 'anti-union' Johnson is.


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Re: The Sun (#22)

by Simon Morley on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 06:21:37 PM GMT

In many ways it is not surprising the most traditional British mass media, The Times and now The Sun feel threatened by Hilary Benn who was simply dismissed by The Times as unable to secure sufficient MP nominations - while the `industrial department' of the Murdoch empire don't even mention Hilary as a contender! Too many candidates too complicated for Sun readers? More like this is the dividing line for the deputy leadership coming into focus.

Hilary's candidature is probably seen as a threat by the Westminster lobby `elite' to their privileged positions at the centre of power because they have the relationships with the Westminster village and stand to loose most with Hilary's focus on reform internationally and locally, becoming more effective and so effectively exercising more power, relatively speaking, and so Westminster less, and the most traditional mass media will loose their perception of monopolistic (Westminster-based) influence. (Its not at all about Murdoch himself I would say - he is in a position to benefit whichever way the wind blows.)

It seems to me this is an opportunity for most MPs, if they are allowed or if they demand it, to do what they should do best - which is not to provide a cockfighting-pit of potential junior ministers - but on behalf of their constituents to be able to hold the executive to account - at all levels. For those who seek election not so much to represent their constituents but to secure executive influence and preferment (the uber-Blairite vision of an MP's role it seems to me) Hilary maybe does present a threat, but to those who genuinely desire a vibrant and effective Parliament, and to benefit their constituents through his working for a better politics, it seems to me there is not a better choice.


Re: The Sun (#26)

by HenryG on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 09:29:48 AM GMT

Hilary Benn does not threaten the establishment - he's part of it.  His father got people worried, but not Hilary.  He's got a nice clean image due to the nature of his current job, but that will be questionned if he decides to accept money from smoking barons. Gareth Thomas should know better:

BENN IN SLEAZE ROW AS HE WOOS CIGARETTE MILLIONAIRE

BY JONATHAN OLIVER

18 February 2007
The Mail on Sunday

LABOUR'S  deputy leadership  contest faced its first sleaze row last night with the revelation that Hilary Benn is trying to woo a controversial Indian cigarette tycoon.

British-based Labour donor Nat Puri disclosed how he was contacted by a fundraiser for Mr Benn, one of the favourites to become the next Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Puri, 67, said to be worth £100million, was phoned by Labour Minister Gareth Thomas, Mr Benn's campaign aide and deputy at the Department for International Development.

The tycoon confirmed that he had arranged a meeting with Mr Thomas to discuss his possible support for the Benn campaign.

Mr Puri's business interests include a plant manufacturing cigarette papers for the Chinese tobacco market.

Critics pointed out that Mr Benn's overseas aid department funds schemes to control the 'epidemic of smoking' in the developing world.

Mr Benn's approach to Mr Puri comes as Labour figures are becoming increasingly concerned at how rival candidates are building up war chests when the national party is on the verge of bankruptcy.

MPs warned that senior Ministers should focus on the challenge posed by the Tories during the May local government elections.

Blairite Mr Benn, 53, has maintained a 'squeaky-clean' image. But his fundraising activities will raise questions about his judgment. His spokeswoman said he did not have a meeting planned with Mr Puri.

Mr Thomas represents the strongly Asian seat of Harrow West in north-west London . In a statement, he said: 'I have known Mr Puri for a number of years.

I am expecting to see him again soon. We will no doubt discuss a whole range of issues. On the question of donations to the Hilary Benn campaign, any fundraising we do will be within the rules.'

Mr Puri said: 'Gareth is a very good friend of mine.' The two men had not directly discussed donations, he said. 'He has not asked me. He asked me to meet him. Support can come in many different ways.'


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Re: The Sun (#28)

by Glass House on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 10:17:01 AM GMT

Jesus!


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The Sun back Johnson for Deputy against "lefty" Hain | 34 comments (34 topical)