5 Labour Deputy Leader candidates pledge support!

CDUH Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 01:30:26 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Already five of the six deputy leadership candidates have signed up in support of the Campaign for a Democratic Upper House.



With only a few days to go until the contest finishes at the Labour Party Leadership Conference in Manchester we hope to get all six to pledge their support to this most progressive of causes. Take a look at their voting record; five out of the six voted for a fully elected Upper House, and five out of six for the 80% elected option, all six candidates voted for at least a 50% elected chamber and four of the candidates supporting the campaign so far; Cruddas, Hain, Benn and Harman voted for all the elected options including 100%, whilst Johnson voted for all the elected options up to the 80% elected option.

With all of the deputy leadership candidates voting for at least some elected options and our four supporters voting for it shows that within the Labour movement there is a great desire to fulfil our 100 year old commitment to changing the Lords.

Why not write in and ask all the deputy leadership contenders directly whether they will be supporting a democratic upper house and whether they will work to make this a reality as soon as possible. Its time to choose democracy - the time is now! Sign up and see all the articles in full at www.democraticupperhouse.org.uk



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5 Labour Deputy Leader candidates pledge support! | 11 comments (11 topical)

Re: 5 Labour Deputy Leader candidates pledge (#1)

by CitizenAndreas on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 01:47:06 PM GMT

I suppose it should be pointed out that all of the deputy leadership candidates support an elected upper house. Hazel Blears who has not pledged support for the campaign (as yet?) did vote for a 100% elected upper house, so no particular candidate can be seen to be lacking in this case.


Re: 5 Labour Deputy (#2)

by Glass House on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 01:57:15 PM GMT

CDUH - you're just spamming the forums now. This is your third thread on exactly the same subject - the previous two have are now on the 'recommended' panel


Re: 5 Labour Deputy (#4)

by Barking Mad on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 02:11:59 PM GMT

GlassHouse, I agree spamming is very annoying - but i'm so happy that this debate is actually getting a full airing. We dont need hot air - we need action. I for one congratulate CDUH on thier website and attempt to drive the progressive agenda on this. I think if enough party members get behind the campaign then Brown will have to move forward to do this before the next general election. We cant be seen to be half baked - we can really set ourselves part form teh tories on this issue - at a time when we need to massively. it riles me beyond belief to hear Camerons New Tories talking about taking over the progressive ground.


[ Parent ]

Re: 5 Labour Deputy (#5)

by Glass House on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 02:28:32 PM GMT

I agree, but one thread is sufficient.


[ Parent ]

Re: 5candidates pledge support! (#3)

by Barking Mad on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 02:08:24 PM GMT

The degree to which each candidate supports a majority elected upper house is actually quite debateable - and it is almost certain that Blears does not. If you look at the voting records for that historic vote then
it shows that Blears voted for 50% Appointed, as Tony Blair prefers - non of the other DL candidates went for this option knowing that public and Labour party opinion is against stacking up the Lords with that level of cronies. It seems then that Blears went for the wrecking tactic - and thus voted for the 100% option. As did many Tories who oppose reform. I'm likely to believe though she was doing this because of pure loyalty rather then a conviction and passion for unelected patronage.

 

The statements written by each of the 5 DL candidates which have been posted on the Campaign for a Democratic Upper House website also give a strong indication that Benn and Cruddas wholeheartedly support reform all the way. Thats fantastic news. Harman was also very enthusiastic whilst Johnson was rather more non-committal.

 I personally think this is one area Labour must and has to deliver on at last. We cannot leave this as unfinished business. Again!


Re: Lords reform (#6)

by jkitleft on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 04:16:56 PM GMT

I believe we need an 80% option, but the 20% appointed must not be politically affiliated, and should be heads of charities, or organisations, so like senior police, nurses, teachers etc.


Re: Lords reform (#7)

by swatantra on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 04:46:57 PM GMT

I also believe the 80:20 option is the best option, but it would be difficult to see how your condition of non-political allegiance would work out. The 20% appointed should be people with expertise, part timers, limited to 2 terms, the majority being ordinary working people, picked at random, rather like jury service.


[ Parent ]

Re: Lords reform (#8)

by otware on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 06:48:02 PM GMT


[ Parent ]

Re: Lords reform (#9)

by otware on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 06:56:58 PM GMT

Sorry about the blank post. As a side note, I really wish website designers would use standards compliant code that works in browsers other than Internet Explorer *hint hint*.

 As I meant to say:

I'm afraid I don't see the point of having the 80:20 ratio. Isn't the party list system proportional enough? The whole process of appointing people is so tiresome and open to corruption that I don't really think it has much of a place in a reformed upper house.


[ Parent ]

Re: 5 Labour Deputy Leader candidates (#10)

by NorthernMonkey on Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 07:19:42 PM GMT

Best of luck to the CDUH - a 100% elected upper chamber of Parliament is absolutely vital and I hope Gordon Brown pushes forward with it.


Re: 5candidates pledge support! (#11)

by CDUH on Wed Jun 20, 2007 at 03:14:59 PM GMT

Thanks for all the support! Its good to see there is a strong pro-democracy element on Labour Home.

 I would urge you all to sign up and add a short statement of support/add a photo on the full CDUH website www.democraticupperhouse.org.uk

 We have supporters who believe in every option that includes a predmoinantly elected make up of the upper house. So thats people who support 80/20 and people who support 100% We are all agreed, as are the 5 DL canidates that reform must happen and happen quickly. We cannot afford for this just to be rolled over to the next manifesto... again! Sign up support CDUH!


5 Labour Deputy Leader candidates pledge support! | 11 comments (11 topical)