Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!!

Wiseman Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:28:18 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

There is many reasons for this, but it may surprise you, but as a man on the left, I would like to see democracy succeed, not a plot.  The tories are having a field day!!  The appointment of maybe a left leaning deputy may help, and I would listen to the unions on this.  Any talk of leadership challenges is only coming from Blairites mainly!!

We need to unite at present and change to a more progressive agenda!

Wiseman





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Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! | 7 comments (7 topical)

Re: Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! (#1)

by otware on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:18:50 PM GMT

I must say that sadly I agree with you. A coup would be disastrous now. Look what Brown's coronation did for him, what would a Miliband coronation right after do for the Labour Party?

I want to see some bloodshed though. I see no chance of Brown turning to a progressive agenda.

What happens 10 months down the line, when Brown has lost a couple more by-elections badly, been defeated on 42-days and his farcical fightback has turned into a retreat? ee


Re: Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! (#2)

by NorthernMonkey on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:54:11 PM GMT

Any talk of leadership challenges is only coming from Blairites mainly

Another blatant lie. The only stirring going on has come from McDonnell as he tours the TV studios with his 'oh aren't the government so awful' waffle.

The Blairites have been more than patient with Brown as shown by Miliband, Johnson etc. with their support yesterday.


Re: Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! (#3)

by doctordunc on Mon May 26, 2008 at 04:40:45 PM GMT

I'm sorry but this is preposterous!  John has said - FROM DAY ONE - that he doesn't think there should be a leadership challenge and that what there needs to be is a change of policy.  Johnson - I assume deliberately - echoed John's statement about their not being an 'appetite' for a change of leader.  At the same time, the Westminster rumour mill is full of talk of the likes of Miliband, Johnson, Purnell all being at the heart of leadership plots.  Now I'm prepared to accept that the talk isn't coming from them, but it's coming from somewhere, and it sure as hell isn't from John McDonnell.

Frankly, what you just typed was the blatant untruth.  I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't a deliberate lie; perhaps you could afford John Wiseman the same courtesy?  After all, what he said doesn't appear to be very far from the mark (it all seems to be coming from a Charles-Clarke-esque direction, with a hint of John Rentoul about it).


[ Parent ]

Re: Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! (#4)

by NorthernMonkey on Mon May 26, 2008 at 05:20:35 PM GMT

John has said - FROM DAY ONE - that he doesn't think there should be a leadership challenge and that what there needs to be is a change of policy. 

That's not true - he has consistently said he is "up for a leadership contest at anytime" but he recognised that there wasn't enough support in the party for a contest now. So it's not that he doesn't want a contest, it's that he knows he cannot get 20% of the MP's to back a challenge.

As for all the newspaper speculation concerning Miliband, Johnson running for leader etc., I could just as easily refer to the Daily Mail's headline the day after the local elections which claimed McDonnell was planning to make a leadership challenge.

Charles Clarke is somewhat of a maverick who has criticised Blair in the past as well as Brown - he should not be seen as representative of 'Blairites'. The likes of Miliband and Johnson have been as supportive as they could be - the same cannot be said of McDonnell.


[ Parent ]

Re: Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! (#5)

by doctordunc on Mon May 26, 2008 at 05:31:44 PM GMT

Well absolutely John is 'up for leadership contest at anytime' - nothing has changed since last year, on that front.  At the same time it is perfectly clear that he has not been calling for one, nor organising for one.  He has spoken quite strongly against some of the apparent proposed plans.  Charles Clarke is seen as a Blairite, and John Wiseman did not say that the calls have been coming from 'all Blairites' or from 'the Blairites' - I assume those MPs we think of as 'Blairites' do not act in a single unified way?

Miliband and Johnson are being supportive in public - and I hope that what's reported in the press is as absurd as the Mail story about John McD.  He, on the other hand, is being consistent in criticising the policies he disagrees with and proposing alternatives (which large numbers of other backbenchers are doing in considerably less helpful and constructive ways than John).


[ Parent ]

Re: Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! (#6)

by swatantra on Tue May 27, 2008 at 11:24:39 AM GMT

The problem is that if we don't turn things round by2010, and the Tories win, we could be out of Govt for the next 12 years! Its going to be a tough decision.


[ Parent ]

Re: Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! (#7)

by snowflake5 on Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:37:11 PM GMT

I agree with you too. The next leader of Labour should be chosen by the Labour party in a proper election. Not by the press or cabals in parliament. Of course a proper leadership contest will take a lot of time, more time than we really have to spare between now and the next election.


Why we don't need a leadership challenge now!! | 7 comments (7 topical)