Who should be the next leader?

wellused

They can't break the union grip as the unions have the final say on the election of the leader and they pay the piper.

missbiggles1

Generali wrote: »

To confirm you think that Labour require a hard left, union supported leader. Is that right?

I don't see any point in having a Labour party that occupies the centre ground - we need to get back to our roots.

antrobus

vivatifosi wrote: »

....I agree with chewy re Chuka Umunna, I don't think he's the right person for the job. Andy Burnham is better, but he hasn't had a career outside of politics. I'd personally prefer Alan Johnson, but he's ruled himself out. I do feel that a return to the Blairite wing is the way forward. He was terribly wrong taking us into Iraq, but completely right in positioning Labour in the centre ground....

Burnham was the "Blairite for Brown"; I suppose that having a foot in both camps won't hurt his prospects. There seems to some money backing that Chuka fella. He's Compass rather than Progress, so presumably more of a leftie.

Don't know what the balance of power is like in Labour these days.

vivatifosi wrote: »

...The Lib Dems have lost so many big guns that I don't know who is best placed to take over....

I know that it's going to be one of these seven people - Tim Farron, Norman Lamb, Alistair Carmichael, Tom Brake, Greg Mulholland, John Pugh, or Mark Williams.:)

vivatifosi wrote: »

...In the case of UKIP presumably it has to be Carswell.

Carswell has said he's not interested.

antrobus

Generali wrote: »

I think Harperson has already said that she won't stand....

And will indeed also step down as deputy leader.

Generali wrote: »

..Labour generally don't promote women to positions of power. Ms Harman was Shadow of a position that doesn't really exist. I don't think Labour have ever had a female leader and I can only think of Ms Beckett who has held one of the four senior state roles on the Labour benches in 100++ years.

Labour have only ever had a female leader when (like now) Hapless Harriet has been acting leader pending the next leadership selection conference.

antrobus

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I don't see any point in having a Labour party that occupies the centre ground - we need to get back to our roots.

I think the point is that then Labour might actually win an election and get to be in government.

CLAPTON

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I don't see any point in having a Labour party that occupies the centre ground - we need to get back to our roots.

would they reopen the mines, bring back steel making and restart making cars that no-one will buy?

Generali

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I don't see any point in having a Labour party that occupies the centre ground - we need to get back to our roots.

The world has changed a lot since the late C19th. Getting back to your roots would probably be even worse than barely managing to win a third of the seats in the HoC.

purch

Chuka Umunna would be a good choice IMHO. Burnham and Cooper are tainted by their association with Brown and Millidiot and neither would be a choice that will give Labour any chance of moving forward.

Farage is UKIP so he will be back.

The Lib Dems would do better to look outside of their group of MP's if that is allowed.

chucknorris

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I don't see any point in having a Labour party that occupies the centre ground - we need to get back to our roots.

But the point is that you have to win an election! That's why labour needs to move to towards the centre. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for them to stay to the left and be ineffective in opposition, that suits me fine.

ukcarper

Generali wrote: »

I think Harperson has already said that she won't stand.

Labour generally don't promote women to positions of power. Ms Harman was Shadow of a position that doesn't really exist. I don't think Labour have ever had a female leader and I can only think of Ms Beckett who has held one of the four senior state roles on the Labour benches in 100++ years.

Jacqui Smith was Home Secretary