Gransnet forums

News & politics

How to choose a leader

(32 Posts)
trisher Sun 09-Oct-16 11:40:05

If you are Labour you need 2 elections (one isn't enough). If you are UKIP a bit of fisticuffs seems in order. The Conservatives do it quietly (who knows what has gone on behind the scenes). Any ideas for other ways to choose party leaders. I'm thinking the balloon game might be fun (with a real balloon of course)

tanith Sun 09-Oct-16 11:57:14

Well I'm just thankful I'm not having to 'choose' in the USA at the moment.
Maybe picked a name out of a very large hat would work wink

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 12:31:45

The conservative MP's whittle down the number to two before the members have a vote.

felice Sun 09-Oct-16 12:45:22

Then one steps down, no vote required and voila, an unelected leader.
Elected as an MP yes, but not as party leader.

fiorentina51 Sun 09-Oct-16 12:50:05

They would all have a psychological profile done for starters. Then they would have to sit all of the KS2 SATS tests and any not able to reach the required standard would be consigned to oblivion.
Those left in the race would then be told that their income would be the basic living wage, no expenses of course.
In my dreams, in my dreams.....?

trisher Sun 09-Oct-16 13:55:35

Sounds great Florentina51 only there would be no-one left after the SATs tests grin

obieone Sun 09-Oct-16 14:15:31

The wisest.

We can dream I suppose.

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 14:19:59

When Blair was voted leader he stood against Beckett and Prescott , McDonald wanted to stand but couldn't get support.

I wonder who would have won if Robin Cook had stood , he refused to stand , he said he was not attractive enough for the general electorate and this would damage the party at the election. He would have made a great PM in my opinion but I agree with his decision

durhamjen Sun 09-Oct-16 14:25:16

There was no McDonald in the labour party then.

durhamjen Sun 09-Oct-16 14:31:50

Green Party do it the most sensibly.
Support of 20 members.
Have to have been a member for at least 3 years.
One month for nominations
One month for campaigning
Onr month for balloting
Use STV or alternative vote.

Quite simple and transparent.

durhamjen Sun 09-Oct-16 14:36:40

Green Party also have 'none of the above' equivalent, i.e., you can vote to re-open nominations.

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 14:38:37

Two labour whips have resigned over the sacking of Rosie Winterton,

durhamjen Sun 09-Oct-16 14:40:42

Wrong thread, Annie.

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 14:42:35

Thank you moderator

trisher Sun 09-Oct-16 14:43:46

So what do you think to the argument that it was John Smith who laid the ground for the Labour victory and not Tony Blair? And that he would not have invaded Iraq but stayed out and maintained Labour's integrity.

Jalima Sun 09-Oct-16 14:44:20

You play 'Simon Says' or some other silly game such as 'Statues', 'Pass the Parcel', 'Sleeping Lions'

Last one in wins the poisoned chalice leadership

Jalima Sun 09-Oct-16 14:45:11

It all went downhill from thereon (John Smith's untimely death).

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 14:48:18

We won three elections Jalima after all those years in the wilderness . John Smith wanted .gordon Brown to suceed him as leader

durhamjen Sun 09-Oct-16 14:51:29

Shows how scheming Tony Blair was even then.

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 14:55:07

Hardly scheming if Brown supported Balir in his leadership bid, Brown was free to stand for leader, like Robin Cook he put the party first , it's what those who want labour in power do

Jalima Sun 09-Oct-16 14:55:39

I know ab but it doesn't mean to say that the Labour Party didn't go downhill or change for the worse.

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 15:01:00

Jamila, I cannot dismiss the good done in those years. It started to go wrong when Blair lost his way after the second election. If Brown had stood against Blair I would have voted for Brown , but there was Mandelson in the background as there is McDonald now

durhamjen Sun 09-Oct-16 15:07:17

Blair actually told Michael Foot that he came to socialism through Marxism. Hard to believe now.

Anniebach Sun 09-Oct-16 15:29:20

Not at all hard to believe, many are but they don't become militants .

dramatictessa Sun 09-Oct-16 15:30:58

This is the wrong thread to debate the history of the labour party grin