What do YOU dislike most about Michael Meacher?

HenryG Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 09:56:24 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Michael Meacher has today announced that he will be standing for the leadership of the party.
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6385285.stm

There are a number of reasons why I dislike Meacher more than any other Labour MP I can think of.  Do you feel as strongly as I do?




So why does Meacher get my goat?  His conspiracy claims that the US allowed 9-11 to happen.  His desire to cling to office rather than resign over Iraq. His substantial property porfolio which he holds despite his 'socialist' credentials.  Have I missed anything else?

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What do YOU dislike most about Michael Meacher? | 25 comments (25 topical)

What I dislike most about Michael Meacher... (#1)

by Mark Wadsworth on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 10:12:58 AM GMT

He is totally creepy and weird.


Re: What I dislike most about Michael Meacher... (#3)

by jonesythered on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 10:40:06 AM GMT

How about has absolutely no support within the labour movement and is orchestrating a wrecking campaign out of personal vanity?


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Re: What I dislike most about Michael Meacher... (#8)

by jonesythered on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 02:13:51 PM GMT

Here's a comment from one of the MPs at Meacher's launch:

"Any candidate needs the support of 44 Labour lawmakers. While Meacher said he was confident he would get this, the lawmaker who chaired his campaign launch, Ian Gibson, told reporters afterwards he wasn't necessarily going to back him.

``Not at all,'' Gibson said. ``He asked some people, `Do you respect my right to run?' Of course I'll back his right to run. That doesn't mean I'll vote for him.''"


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Re: What I dislike most about Michael Meacher... (#9)

by jonesythered on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 04:49:53 PM GMT

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23386491-details/Meacher's%20challenge%20to%20Brown%20is% 20marred%20by%20farce/article.do

But the campaign descended into farce almost immediately when Dr Gibson, who chaired the launch, admitted he would not be backing Mr Meacher.

Dr Gibson said: "He has asked some people if we would respect his decision to run but that doesn't mean we will vote for him."

He then twisted the knife by pointing out that Mr Meacher owned a string of properties. "He's got a lot of houses and some people won't like that," he said.


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Re: What I dislike most about Michael Meacher... (#10)

by swatantra on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 06:48:19 PM GMT

You've said it in one.


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Re: What I dislike most about Michael Meacher... (#22)

by jonesythered on Sun Feb 25, 2007 at 02:44:28 PM GMT

Did Meacher jump or was he pushed?:

http://www.socialistyouthnetwork.blogspot.com/


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Re: Meacher is stupid. (#2)

by otware on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 10:39:41 AM GMT

That man is ridiculous. Unlike McDonnell who has very definite support on the left, Meacher has now support base. As far as the unions are concerned he is a nobody. Why can't he resign? Waste of space.


Re: Meacher is stupid. (#4)

by grimupnorth on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 10:48:40 AM GMT

well  he needs to be told  that in  no uncertain terms by the unions.This  may well focus  minds.One thing's  for sure. We won't  get  2  "left" candidates on the ballot paper.GET LOBBYING !


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So effective! (#5)

by timrollpickering on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 11:06:59 AM GMT

This is the man who was so effective and respected as Environment Minister that he had to get Greenpeace or somesuch to pay for his attendance at an intergovernmental summit on climate change!


Re: What do YOU dislike (#6)

by Loz on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 11:10:18 AM GMT

On a side note to all of this, when I compare our 'leadership' campaign with that of Americas presidential primaries, I get rather dispondent.

Over there, they have a great blend of amazing candidates, Hillary, Obama, Guiliani, McCain etc.

I find it really hard to get politically enthused by what I am hearing from our candidates.

That doesn't mean to say youth and charisma is everything, but with people like Meacher stepping forward it raises a few questions in my mind at least.

Meacher just wants a piece of the left wing cake. He can have it as far as I'm concerned.


Re: What do YOU dislike (#7)

by jonesythered on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 12:09:17 PM GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6385285.stm

But Labour MP Stephen Pound said Mr Meacher was a "faintly ridiculous" figure, adding he would be surprised if the veteran left-winger managed to get the required support.

Contest not coronation

"It's a pity because, frankly, he's going to get humiliated," said the Ealing North MP.

"I suspect he knows that, if he put his ego to one side a bit he would realise that.

"Michael Meacher is a major figure on the British political scene, yet the majority of people I have spoken to, who came into Parliament in the last six or seven years, just said: 'Who?' They didn't know who he was."


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Re: What do YOU dislike (#11)

by HenryG on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 10:07:18 PM GMT

I see the Guardian is getting into the spirit of the thing with this photo of Meacher in his trunks:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2007/02/22/caption_competition_michael_meacher_hits_the_be ach.html

Does he look like the next PM to you?


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Re: (#12)

by Dermot on Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 06:39:55 PM GMT

I'm hoping that Meacher's candidacy will at leats stop IRA supporter McDonnell getting on the Ballot, which would be a total embarassement.

I saw Meacher speak in the Eighties, and despite myself I found him erudite and passionate.

BUT, I feel any deabtes about the direction of the Party can be contained in the Deputy Leadership race, and whilst I can see the argument for a vote we all know Brown is going to get the gig, so lets just get on with it!

http://dermotrathbone.spaces.live.com/


Re: (#13)

by HenryG on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 09:45:13 AM GMT

Britspin highlights how Meacher is not only on record in believing the US allowed 9-11 to happen, but also Pearl Harbour. Unbelievable:

"It is not surprising that some have seen the US failure to avert the 9/11 attacks as creating an invaluable pretext for attacking Afghanistan in a war that had clearly already been well planned in advance. There is a possible precedent for this. The US national archives reveal that President Roosevelt used exactly this approach in relation to Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941. Some advance warning of the attacks was received, but the information never reached the US fleet. The ensuing national outrage persuaded a reluctant US public to join the second world war."

http://britishspin.blogspot.com/


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Re: (#14)

by NeilF on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 02:17:22 PM GMT

'Meacher should step down and join us'

Saturday February 24, 2007
Letter In The Guardian

Many will feel disappointed that Michael Meacher has decided to announce his leadership candidature (Comment, February 23), just when John McDonnell is attracting overwhelming grassroots support. McDonnell, unlike any other contender, has consistently voted against the war in Iraq, privatisation of our public services, tuition fees and cuts in benefits, and has an unparalleled record of support for a political agenda based on Labour party and trade-union policies.

From the start McDonnell has been addressing public meetings across the country to re-engage with Labour members, supporters and trade unionists. For the first time in years, young people are getting involved and numbers of people are joining or rejoining the party. Aslef is the first affiliated trade union to nominate a candidate - and has unanimously decided to back John. Others will follow. If we are to defeat the renewed Tory challenge, there must be a genuine debate about the future direction of the party, and we need a candidate with the necessary support in the wider movement. MPs are increasingly agreeing to nominate John McDonnell to ensure that there is a contest.

We welcome the excellent work that Michael Meacher has done on environmental policy. However, in the interests of the democratic socialist principles which Michael holds dear, we urge him to withdraw his challenge and help us unite the left by playing a central role in the McDonnell campaign. United we stand - divided we fall.

Tony Benn
Christine Shawcroft (Labour party NEC)
Elaine Smith MSP
And nine others


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Re: (#15)

by doctordunc on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 02:22:53 PM GMT

Brilliant.  Couldn't have said it better myself (and didn't! I wrote a letter with virtually all the same sentiments that was considerably less coherent!!)


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Re: (#16)

by swatantra on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 03:15:06 PM GMT

Same old Left; they can never unite. Thats why they get clobbered every time.


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Re: (#17)

by doctordunc on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 03:25:47 PM GMT

Whereas the right, who are torn between 'it can be nobody but Brown' and 'it must be anybody but Brown' are solidarity personified.


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Re: (#19)

by petercoe on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 06:57:17 PM GMT

...Except that - yet again - it's the comradely left that have created a thread titled "what do you dislike most about Michael Meacher?"

You lot are contemptible not just because of your positions (which are simple, pathetic, illogical and stupid) but because of the thoroughly unpleasant people you evidence yourselves to be by your personal attacks on one of Labour's longest serving Members of Parliament who has had a not undistinguished career on your side of the psychiatric hospital fence.

All he's had the temerity to do is seek his party's highest office and for that we end up with threads like this. It's reprehensible and, sadly, utterly typical of the conduct of the far left.


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Re: (#20)

by jonesythered on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 07:37:59 PM GMT

Henry will speak for himself, but he's not even on the "hard left", never mind the "far left", as far as I know. Indeed, I don't think he's actually backing McDonnell.

Let me know when you're ready to eat humble pie.


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Re: (#21)

by otware on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 07:56:56 PM GMT

The reason this thread exists is because Meacher has chosen to split the left.  The reason we dislike Meacher is that he has done this, despite there already being a left candidate.

And maybe you should grow up and/or get a life. I dislike being called 'simple, pathetic, illogical and stupid' by a man who is self evidently a baboon.


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Re: (#24)

by HenryG on Sun Feb 25, 2007 at 08:34:51 PM GMT

First of all I would be surprised if I ended up backing anyone but Brown in the leadership election and I will vote for Jon Cruddas for Deputy.  I'm more of the John Smith view of the party, respect it's federal nature and that we need a left and a right wing.  Although I was initially sceptical of John McDonnell's bid, I have been repeatedly impressed by his effort, his tone and dignity throughout his overall approach.  He has done everything the right way and regardless of whether he gets sufficient MPs to be on the ballot paper, I can see that his campaign has been a force for good for the party, despite disagreeing with a number of his views.

Michael Meacher on the other hand has the quite impressive ability to unite pretty much the entire labour movement against him.  He embodies an extraordinary number of human and political frailties, even by the standards of recent ex-Ministers.  

I feel pretty strongly about Meacher and I was interested to see what others felt about him.  Sometimes you get politicians you really take a dislike to and you can't always rationalise it (I nearly feel as strongly about Peter Hain as I do Meacher).  Nothing has changed my views of Michael.  The recent farce of a leadership launch, including MPs that weren't going to back him and his own mobile phone going off during the press conference suggests he has no team, no groundswell of support and clarfied that he literally represents no-one but himself.

I like to think that I can respect those in the party that I may strongly disagree with.  McDonnell is worthy of some respect and I hope he does get onto the ballot paper since he represents a legitimate current in the party, even if one not shared by myself.  Meacher on the other hand has become a parody of himself and embodies the worst excesses of political vanity.  He will get humiliated, that much is clear.  The fact that he is clearly operating in an alternate political reality means that I will not lose sleep over his impending failure.


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Re: (#18)

by jonesythered on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 03:44:18 PM GMT

My feeling at the moment is that Meacher's declaration has hugely strengthened McDonnell's campaign.

Brilliant.


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Re: (#23)

by grimupnorth on Sun Feb 25, 2007 at 08:04:52 PM GMT

you  are  so absolutely right. The CLPD  (Campaign For Labpur Party Democracy)  yesterday backed John  over Meacher   4:1 .He did not have the grace  to turn up and argue   his case (as  John did) .Probably because   he hasn't got one. I  have friends in the Party who don't agree with me ideologically but let me say they can't believe Meacher  is doing this.Could Meacher stand   in  Trafalgar Square on anti-war demo and  get massive support? Don't think so.........


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Re: (#25)

by Wiseman on Sun Feb 25, 2007 at 09:48:31 PM GMT

Socialism is alive again!!!


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What do YOU dislike most about Michael Meacher? | 25 comments (25 topical)