Harman Is the new deputy leader

Harman got 50.4% of the vote, Johnson got 49.6%.

If we didn't have this complex (Soviet) voting system Cruddas would be Deputy Leader.

1)Harman
2)Johnson
3)Cruddas
4)Benn
5)Hain
6)Blears


Harman got in thanks to Cruddas supporters putting her in second preferance.

I do think Harriet will be a very good deputy leader and I wish her the best of luck.





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Re: Harman Is the new deputy leader (#1)

Just shows how little we all understand PR voting. Well done to Harriet Harman. I wanted a leader but was concerned that her history meant she was not likely to be popular with the public. But the male/female, Scottish/English balance of the leadership looks good.

Re: Harman Is the new deputy leader (#2)

It's a fairer system than FPTP, AWB, and although i'd prefer Cruddas to have won, we can't just pick and choose on issues. If Cruddas had not won in a FPTP contest, but would have won in an STV contest, the left would be calling for a STV system. New Labour will often turn to the left, looking at polls which favour a more right-wing policy, with the attitude 'See, it's favoured by the public', but when faced with a majority in favour of re-nationalising the railways, they say 'We need to do what's right'. Ditto for the left, as we may say (in the face of polls calling for taxes/immigration to be cut) 'we need to do what's right', and then point out the polls for British Rail as 'see, the public favours it'.

Re: Harman Is the new deputy leader (#3)

Did I hear Brown say OMOV in future? If so good. The electoral college stinks of a 'fix', particularly by the MP's and Unions, the sooner it goes the better. The voice of the ordinary Party member is what should come through.
Harman will appeal to the floating woman voter out there, if we are to get a 4th Term. So it all turned out for the best. The only sickening thing all day was the plaudits heaped on Prescott, which made me reach for the bucket. Thank goodness, after today we can consign him to the dustbin of history and hear no more mention of his name, please. I noticed a distinct change in the transfer of leadership, and its most welcome. It was Brown stressing the 'work ethic', what got him where he is today and I hope the message filters down to all those idle b****rs, the scroungers who take advantage of the State's good nature, those who take but don't contribute. Its the welcome return of a puritan streak into Britain. I think that will be Brown's legacy. Brown is a moral man but thank goodness he doesn't wear his religion on his sleeve, unlike some people.

Re: Harman Is the new deputy leader (#4)

I think the OMOV stuff was over policy, not leadership elections.

Re: Harman Is the new deputy leader (#5)

I'd be prepared to give the membership a slightly improved weighting perhaps 40:30:30 but on the whole I think the colleges work well. The voting system was easy to apply although I'm not clear that anyone understands the 'counting system' - I've heard totally incorrect explanations from both journos and MPs.