What's happened to Michael Meacher?

otware Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 01:51:47 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Is it just me, or has Michael Meacher been keeping a very low profile recently?



Is it just me, or has Michael Meacher been keeping a very low profile recently? Hardly a good tactic if he wants to get nominated! I see on his website he has no MPs backing him, and for every councillor or trade unionist he has McDonnell has about 3. What's going on?

tags: , , (all tags)

Display: Sort:
What's happened to Michael Meacher? | 24 comments (24 topical)

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#1)

by Mozzer1989 on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:02:07 PM GMT

He outlined his manifesto in the Times a few days ago and is quoted on the BBC website today.


Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#2)

by doctordunc on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:13:12 PM GMT


Things seem to still be going on chez Meacher - the website's been redesigned and there's been the media stuff referred to above.  

But no comments seem to be going on the website, they were supposed to be printing questions and answers or something and that hasn't appeared, and they haven't updated the endorsements since the start.  I don't know if that's because there's little interest, or whether what's being said isn't to the campaign's taste.

Michael Meacher has said he wants to see who has the most nominations, him or John McDonnell, and the one with the least withdraw - but how are Labour backbenchers to know who has the most?  Michael keeps on insisting he has 30 (a remarkably round figure!) but doesn't say who they are.  I know we know who a few of them might be but I don't think we can just use the declared numbers as a fair comparison: we can't know if the same criteria for being on a list are being applied.  Are Michael's 30 people who've said they 'support his right to stand', people who might support him or John McDonnell depending on who gets the most, or are they firm nominations?


Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#3)

by grimupnorth on Sat Apr 14, 2007 at 02:45:22 PM GMT

what's  happened? Nothing. That's why he's got to stand down


Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#4)

by Glass House on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 11:35:34 AM GMT

I love the way the potential Miliband vs. Brown candidacy is portrayed here as just about personalities and not substance.

But the McDonnell crew seem to do nothing but heap insults and scorn on Meacher.


Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#5)

by doctordunc on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 05:55:23 PM GMT


Where?  Certainly I've taken every opportunity to say that I hope Michael Meacher can contribute to John's campaign.  I don't think it's sensible for him to stand, because I don't think he can be nominated, but he might get enough support to stop John from getting nominated.  I'm totally upfront about my position on that, and have been entirely consistent about it.

I hope Michael with withdraw and I think he eventually will do.  It's not any criticism of his personality.


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#6)

by JR on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 11:26:09 PM GMT

Certainly I've taken every opportunity to say that I hope Michael Meacher can contribute to John's campaign.

Yeh, in other words - don't even think about standing against our guy!

The attacks on Meacher have been harsh from some on here I think. As far as I can tell there's very little difference between him and McDonnell - they're both as bad as each other.


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#7)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 07:23:29 AM GMT

"they're both as bad as each other"

Just like Blair Brown and Miliband then!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#8)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 07:23:39 AM GMT

"they're both as bad as each other"

Just like Blair, Brown and Miliband then!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#9)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 07:23:41 AM GMT

"they're both as bad as each other"

Just like Blair, Brown and Miliband then!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#10)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 07:24:18 AM GMT

"they're both as bad as each other"

Just like Blair, Brown and Miliband then!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#11)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 07:25:22 AM GMT

"they're both as bad as each other"

Just like Blair, Brown and Miliband then!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#12)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 07:27:51 AM GMT

shit... why did my reply appear so many times... I only posted it once!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#13)

by Glass House on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 09:17:04 AM GMT

riiiight


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#14)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 09:45:49 AM GMT

"riiight" what??? That I only posted or that Miliband, Blair and Brown all are equally bad and represent the same NuLab agenda?


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#15)

by Mikael on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 09:46:27 AM GMT

It should read "that I only posted it once"...


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#16)

by e10rifles on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 10:52:34 AM GMT

I think I speak for many McDonnell supporters when I say that my principal problems with Meacher are:

  • his backing for the war
  • his backing for Foundation Hospitals and other New Labour policies
  • his being a property magnate.

Would you call that a personal attack?


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#17)

by doctordunc on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 06:44:05 PM GMT


Well I'm not going to take the bait, JR.

I think my original point made my position perfectly clear.  When Alan Johnson has today said that he doesn't think David Miliband should stand for the leadership, I don't take that to be a personal attack on Miliband by Johnson: it's a political position, a strategic position, a personal view.  Well, we're all capable of holding them.


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#18)

by Mikael on Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 09:21:43 AM GMT

Maybe Meacher is keeping quiet to "take by storm" in a few days time, though I doubt it!

Having said that, I don't believe it to be appropriate to attack him on a personal basis - MCDonnell suporters should address him and his backers in a comradely fashion and with absolute courtesy!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#19)

by grimupnorth on Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 04:25:16 PM GMT

well said, but would be  easier if he  had done us the courtesy of listening to what people were saying and not stood in the first place.


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#20)

by Mikael on Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 05:10:36 PM GMT

Thanks Susan. I agree, though I suppose that what's done is done and we'll just have to make the best of the situation at hand. In fact, I am sure that - despite the claims of a "divided left" on part of the right, which, for some seems vindicated in light of Meacher's candidacy - John's will do more campaign will do more than any other in terms of uniting these last  (ca.)15 years.

That's why it is paramount to be civil with Meacher and his supporter. I still believe that, should he join the campaign in the end (though this is most like wishful thinking again), it would end up strengthened and truly display the level of unity among Lab Left-wingers in the present period.


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#21)

by grimupnorth on Wed Apr 18, 2007 at 09:11:35 AM GMT

Mikael, had he joined in the first place then we would all be in a much easier  place.....yes we are wjere we are  but the reality is that he has completely blown it and created hostility  where there was  none....which is a shame.I  have friends on the right of the Party who know him well  and cannot  understand why on earth  he has done  this other than simple ego  and refusal to acknowledge that his time  has been - and gone.


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#22)

by Mikael on Wed Apr 18, 2007 at 10:00:10 AM GMT

Agreed... But still, we owe him some respect. Though his time HAS PASSED!


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#23)

by grimupnorth on Wed Apr 18, 2007 at 12:33:26 PM GMT

well I don't have much respect for him at the moment. Sorry


[ Parent ]

Re: What's happened to Michael Meacher? (#24)

by Mikael on Wed Apr 18, 2007 at 12:52:00 PM GMT

Understandable... but... I just don't know.

Let's list Meacher's political charactersitics:

*Huge flip-flop...

*Inflated Ego...

*Criticises second home owners...

*Good supporters to be won over for John...

I simply think it's most appropriate to focus our general approach towards Meacher and his supporter according to the last point on my list... though as far as Meacher is concerned personally, this outweighed´by the other two...


[ Parent ]

What's happened to Michael Meacher? | 24 comments (24 topical)