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Sensible discussion on Labour Leadership hopefuls

(1001 Posts)
Yehbutnobut Wed 18-Dec-19 07:54:43

Just read Kier Starmer’s leadership pitch and was impressed. He’s calling for a return to a broad-church Party, but warns not to lurch too far to the right as a knee-jerk reaction.

It appears he was not allowed to speak during the election campaign which is a shame as he is a powerful speaker and powerful advocate of socialist values.. He is not a fan of McCluskey so unlikely to get his nomination.

Could we perhaps open up a sensible discussion on the likely candidates from those interested, and no just one-sentence put downs?

Anniebach Wed 18-Dec-19 10:07:46

As grandad43 has wandered off the O/P

Chuka and the others who left the party did so because of the
anti semetism.

Back on topic, I think Chuka would have had support from party members.

Callistemon Wed 18-Dec-19 10:09:27

Some of us have been saying for a long time that Starmer is the only choice if Labour ever want to be re-elected.

Calm, sensible and with a good intellect.
Jess Phillips as deputy? A good foil for Starmer's slightly dour demeanour.

Sussexborn Wed 18-Dec-19 10:09:32

Thanks Anniebach. So if Keir Starmer wasn’t allowed to speak during the election, who would have stopped him? He looks and sounds like a politician to me?

Just realised I started a sentence with So! My OH and the Pedants will be on my tail! Better escape to my kindle!

Urmstongran Wed 18-Dec-19 10:10:16

They were all fighting like cats in a sack last night apparently! The putrid boil that is Momentum needs lancing first before a calmer atmosphere can take place.

It was said on Sky News this morning that KS cannot move too centrist because he will alienate Corbynistas who have a real grip on the LP.

Sadly, unless as Tony Blair said last night, they change radically to what the electorate want the LP will become irrelevant.

GagaJo Wed 18-Dec-19 10:11:31

Why are you so interested Urmston? You hate Labour.

Plus, you're not sticking to the rules of the thread.

Callistemon Wed 18-Dec-19 10:19:57

I agree Urmstongran

They need someone with a strong personality who can cut the strings with Momentum, work with the Trades Unions without letting them take over completely, unite the different factions and appeal to the electorate.
A tough job, but, unless there is someone up to the task, it could be the end of the Labour Party unfortunately.

kittylester Wed 18-Dec-19 10:21:58

Urmston, might be interested so we have a credible opposition and, like me, it might be this version of Labour she hates, gagajo..

And, as far as sticking to the rules of the thread goes.....

grandad, I did know that Chukka left the and why, thank you.

kittylester Wed 18-Dec-19 10:22:23

*Labour Party

Urmstongran Wed 18-Dec-19 10:22:27

Stop it GagaJo. Every time I post you come on immediately to hound me. Note for instance you didn’t berate lemongrove or kittylester. I rest my case.

I’m interested in who the LP new leader is. I have voted Labour in the past (there you go! never presume) and as others have said, a credible party leader for Labour is a good thing.

I’m with Boris to get Brexit.

After that? I’ll decide at the ballot box in 5 years’ time.

GracesGranMK3 Wed 18-Dec-19 10:23:34

Not again!

Anniebach Wed 18-Dec-19 10:24:41

Stammer surely isn’t strong enough to be leader if he remained silent when told to.

True Urmstongran

GagaJo Wed 18-Dec-19 10:28:44

Urmstongran, you ONLY ever berate Labour. IF you're going to engage in a positive debate, fair enough. But you're so biased you just snipe and moan. I don't really see why you're interested.

Plus, don't flatter yourself. I don't search you out. I'm not that interested. IF yours is a recent post, I'll comment.

SirChenjin Wed 18-Dec-19 10:29:47

Stammer surely isn’t strong enough to be leader if he remained silent when told to

So you think that the Tory politicians who stood up to the bullying behaviour of BJ and were subsequently sacked are actually strong leadership contenders? Wouldn’t that be fantastic - a return to more centrist Tory policies and a more measured lot at the the top. We can but hope.

janipat Wed 18-Dec-19 10:29:59

Plus, you're not sticking to the rules of the thread.

GagaJo One can put rules on a thread? Are you certain you always keep the rules of any thread yourself?

Callistemon Wed 18-Dec-19 10:30:04

Perhaps he remained silent because he was biding his time, Annie.
Playing his cards close to his chest.

Strong but silent!

GrannyGravy13 Wed 18-Dec-19 10:30:46

I have listened to several Labour MPs over the last few days, and the only two that have impressed me are Lisa Nandy and Kier Starmer.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 18-Dec-19 10:33:06

Surely us Conservatives have the right to comment on Labour MPs, as we have to read all the odious comments from Lab/Lib Dems on the Tory MPs?

Callistemon Wed 18-Dec-19 10:33:49

Urmstongran you ONLY ever berate Labour^

Gagajo But there are posters who ONLY ever berate the Tories or Boris!

And why not, if that is what they believe?

I think it's called freedom of speech and allowed in this country, within the law.

Callistemon Wed 18-Dec-19 10:34:51

The top line of my post should be in italics as it was a quote.

Urmstongran Wed 18-Dec-19 10:34:54

If I’m biased against the LP it’s because of Corbyn, Momentum and the anti-semitism. Seems most of the voters felt the same way about Corbyn as I did.

I cried when John Smith died.

GracesGranMK3 Wed 18-Dec-19 10:39:54

As I understood it that was not what this thread was intended to be about UG.

If anyone wants to PM me about who the Labour Party might choose as their leader without rehashing all the old arguments I am happy for them to do that. As far as this thread is concerned I would have liked the discussion you asked for Yehbutnobut but there are those determined to have a different one so, for the moment at least, I'm out.

GagaJo Wed 18-Dec-19 10:48:28

janipat Wed 18-Dec-19 10:29:59
Plus, you're not sticking to the rules of the thread.

GagaJo One can put rules on a thread? Are you certain you always keep the rules of any thread yourself? My point exactly.

I'm not bothered about it. The OP asked us to stick to the topic. I thought it was more of a general discussion.

Riverwalk Wed 18-Dec-19 10:56:39

I wonder if Hilary Benn will stand.

kittylester Wed 18-Dec-19 10:59:50

Or Stephen Kinnock?

Urmstongran Wed 18-Dec-19 11:07:03

It's just desperate stuff from the Corbyn fanatics here and elsewhere now. The man lost two general elections in a row. Against the two worst Prime Minister's this country has ever had. That's really bad.

The party has lagged behind the Tories in most opinion polls since the 2015 general election. They were even losing to the Lib Dems earlier this year!

Corbyn's own poll ratings were the worst an opposition leader has ever had. He led the party to its worst Parliamentary defeat since 1935. Voters have said they don't like him, repeatedly.

Just give it up.

Blame the media if you want. Every Labour leader has faced a hostile media though, even Blair for most of his time.

Corbyn was unique in having so much for the press to dredge up. I don't think any previous Labour leader had spent so much hanging around suspicious characters prior to taking the office before or appearing on discredited TV channels like PressTV.

The fact is he failed and they need to move on if we ever want to see a Labour or any progressive government again.

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