Labour party latest

How typical that the Labour Party problems hit the headlines whilst the Tories are tearing themselves in two.

To be fair I think they are both headline news. I don't think that such public fighting - and it's quite extraordinary - in the Labour party is any less newsworthy that what's been going on with the Tories for the last couple of days. Whichever side of the fence you fall on these are worrying times

One thing is true the political classes are totally divided and the country is totally divided.

Corbyn's sacked Benn, so that's him out of the way.

But how can Corbyn possibly survive this himself when he doesn't have the backing of his own party and so many supporters want him to go? If a general election is called and he is still leader Labour doesn't have a hope, even when the Conservatives are in such disarray themselves. This is a time when our country needs strong leadership and any which way i can't see where it will come from

oldgoat surely what is happening in the Labour party is vitally important too even though they are not in government?

We need to know therefore it is newsworthy - we need a viable opposition and at the moment the SNP is getting more newstime (NS speaking again as I type)

I see her point (Sturgeon) but I just had to use the 'off' button
Can't stand a strident voice this early in the day

What we need is a leader of any colour.

Just watching Hilary Benn. A rational voice and he comes across as a man of integrity. A pity he has said he would not stand as leader of party if Corbyn goes.

I dont see how Corbyn can lead, when people wont follow him [MPs]

Ooh, I have to disagree whitewave,unless you meant it literally, of course. Chuka Umunna?
I fear that was precisely the sentiment in Germany in 1933 and also much of the foundation of the support for Boris Johnson.
Leaders are needed but we need to be very wary of where they might lead. And at the risk of banging on about the same old, same old, that means people need to seek out the facts and see beyond the headlines and the soundbites.

Can't stand Hilary Benn. He does not have what it takes to lead a dog never mind a political party. He's also smug and self serving.
Can't really say much more or I'll get into trouble, but he's not the one to take the Labour party forward. Anyway at 62 he is too old.
It requires a younger man to be Prime Minister. If they ever got into power he would be 64.

alea Oh what I meant was that we need a leader in any of the political parties!! There isn't one at all at the moment. I always phrase things badly

Benn's ruled himself oout now anyway.

Is 62 "too old"?? Nonnie1
Benn's political pedigree is outstanding.
What about life experience, maturity and that increasingly rare commodity wisdom?
Increasingly I find myself warming to ex-politicians once they have been "promoted" to the Lords. Where they can speak their mind, are no longer forging a career path and can genuinely give us the benefit of their experience.
Even John Major (ok not a Lord) spoke eloquently and wisely in the Referendum campaign!

Don't say that alea there's been a suggestion that Farage might go to the Lords!!!!!

I can dismiss who isn't right for leader, more difficult to name who is

Alea Yes, I believe it needs to be a younger man for the job at No.10

My vote is for Gisela Stuart.

Definitely not Stuart, I have been a member for fifty years but if she became leader I would have no choice but to leave the party

Younger man Nonnie?

Man???

Gloria de Piero resigned from cabinet along with Heidi Alexander and ofcourse Hilary Benn sacked in the early hours of this morning.

I think the divide that has been so blatantly obvious between the Labour Membership/Grass Roots and the Parliamentary Labour Party was bound to happen.

It all came about by the £3 membership fee and you don't have to look too far from the tree to see that.

Whatever else is going on, this is newsworthy - unedifying, but newsworthy. We need a credible opposition and the quicker Labour sort themselves out the better.