Well Done Rosie Duffield

A number of us, whichever way we lean, agree that resigning from the party from which you were elected should trigger a by election. I’d have respected Duffield if she’d done that, she might be elected as an independent which would be a positive.
I agree with Casdon - she’s always railed against the mainstream and whoever was leader she’d oppose ‘on principle’

Well I am of the left, centre left and a member of the labour party. I am certainly not going to start saying that those who support Rosie Duffield are of the right. I have heard that song many times before.

Casdon

I don’t think they should be allowed to cross the floor either GrannyGravy13, but within the current rules they have the choice to do so. I take a harder line than you I think on the whip, because when somebody resigns the whip they are then voting on a personal basis rather than for their electorate. The Jeremy Corbyn route of standing under a different banner is far more honest in my opinion, because you are clear what you stand for, and people vote for you on that basis.

I understand what you are saying, and sort of agree with you.

MP’s are elected by their constituents, shouldn’t they put them first as opposed to being whipped and not allowed to vote according to their conscience?

I don’t think they should be allowed to cross the floor either GrannyGravy13, but within the current rules they have the choice to do so. I take a harder line than you I think on the whip, because when somebody resigns the whip they are then voting on a personal basis rather than for their electorate. The Jeremy Corbyn route of standing under a different banner is far more honest in my opinion, because you are clear what you stand for, and people vote for you on that basis.

Casdon

I suspect that if RD decided to become a Tory and crossed the floor, she would have issues with whichever leader they have then too, because since she first became an MP she has railed against the order, whatever that is. Sometimes she is right, sometimes wrong - she’s always going to be a square leg in a round hole in my opinion. Some people are just like that.

I do not think MP’s elected for one party should be allowed to cross the floor

If they change their mind, they should stand down and a bi-election called.

Resigning the whip is different, as Party Leaders use it as a punishment and threat to keep MP’s in line. If the MP keeps to the same agenda their constituents elected them for.

I suspect that if RD decided to become a Tory and crossed the floor, she would have issues with whichever leader they have then too, because since she first became an MP she has railed against the order, whatever that is. Sometimes she is right, sometimes wrong - she’s always going to be a square leg in a round hole in my opinion. Some people are just like that.

Iam64

Our CLP must be similar to yours Wyllow. No one attributes Starmer with sainthood, different views of WFA , particularly the way it was announced but agreement that many wealthier pensioners don’t need it.

Duffield remained in the LP despite her repeated criticisms of anything and everything. She alleged she’d been isolated and bullied. Why stand as a Labour MP? The majority voted Labour because Starmer identified the changes needed and set out the approach to be taken.

It’s interesting that right leaning regulars are fulsome in their praise of Duffield. Those of us more familiar with her history and current thinking in the party, take a less excited view

👏👏👏👏

AGAA4

*Starmer expressed himself very badly*. That's another way of saying it I suppose. All in all and mainly because he has accepted gifts for clothes and glasses when people are worrying about fuel bills I am very disappointed in Starmer and I am not supporter of the Tories.

I’m only referring to the “Starmer doesn’t know what a woman is” comment!

Nothing less, nothing more.

I don’t agree with with the personal donations nor the way is which the WFA removal was instigated (not sure how many umpteen times I have to state this!)

Iam64 I am slightly right of centre definitely, politically homeless definitely.

I agree with RD’s views on safe women’s spaces, do not buy into the lie that if a man puts on a dress he is a woman, and also 100% behind JKR and Sharon Davies.

Our CLP must be similar to yours Wyllow. No one attributes Starmer with sainthood, different views of WFA , particularly the way it was announced but agreement that many wealthier pensioners don’t need it.

Duffield remained in the LP despite her repeated criticisms of anything and everything. She alleged she’d been isolated and bullied. Why stand as a Labour MP? The majority voted Labour because Starmer identified the changes needed and set out the approach to be taken.

It’s interesting that right leaning regulars are fulsome in their praise of Duffield. Those of us more familiar with her history and current thinking in the party, take a less excited view

She didn’t speak of that in her resignation letter

His attitude towards women and 'transwomen' and his objection to Rosie Duffield's statement that 'only women have a cervix.'

JKR is critical of Starmer over what ?

Interesting point Wyllow3 perhaps RD isn’t tone deaf to public opinion being a backbencher? And/or another alternative theory that her ally J K Rowling has joined forces with her?JKR also being a vocal and driven critic of KS?
Time will tell.

Anniebach

The country didn’t want a left wing government , Corbyn lost the 2019election with the worse defeat since 1935

Never a truer word. Unless a Labour Gov. leans to the right it will not succeed;

GrannyGravy13

I know Rosie51

I think it’s a common phenomenon that when one’s party is elected to Govern that the PM reaches dizzying heights of sainthood to their followers, complete with blinkers, only to be knocked down PDQ.

It happened to the Conservatives (not PM Truss though) and it’s happening in the Labour Party.

I don't think that I - or my local branch LP members - have ever elevated Starmer to sainthood, it's always been "pros and cons".

On the contrary, I thought it would be very difficult, because of the inherited constraints on what could actually be achieved. And that there would be disappointments

However, we have probably like many other branches - criticised the levels of where WFA has been set, and pushing it hard, as are a number of back benchers and TU's, and imo thats what Duffield could have done. It's disingenuous that she's suddenly "seen the light" and left, without working with fellow backbenchers for at least a longer period.

The election was lost

Worst defeat in terms of number of seats, granted Anniebach. But in 2019 Labour had 32.2 % of the vote, whereas in 2024 they won a huge majority with 33.7 % of the vote. That says more about our skewed electoral system than it says about a rejection of a socialist government.

The country didn’t want a left wing government , Corbyn lost the 2019election with the worse defeat since 1935

Although I am fed up to the back teeth with the Starmer bashing, I am beginning to worry that we have landed ourselves with another right wing Labour government motivated by self-interest.

Having read Rosie Duffield's letter in full, I am getting the feeling that we are in for a repeat of the Tony Blair years.
I shudder when I remember the WMDs, the abolition of university grants and the systematic outsourcing of the NHS under Blair and that is just what I can remember off-hand.

Will we ever get a proper left wing government whose guiding aim is to serve the best interests of the electorate and actually strive for a fairer society?

The Guardian has reported that Cabinet ministers are calling for Ashworth to join in the merry throng …. What does that say about their judgement? Of course it might not be true.

ronib

Jonathan Ashworth I think is being touted for communications? But there’s a limit to what one person can do….

He lost a safe seat, what does that show about his political instincts.

ronib

Jonathan Ashworth I think is being touted for communications? But there’s a limit to what one person can do….

And this shirt button is hampered more than most.

Rosie Duffield: well done.
... she is one of very few previously held Labour MPs where the previous vote share dropped considerably at the election, which indicates that she isn’t very popular with her constituents.
Her vote share dropped, from48% to 41%, but her majority increased from 1,836 to 8,653.

I’ve said before, I do think there should always be a by election when MPs change their allegiance, as they then no longer represent what their constituents voted for.
Rosie Duffield will sit as an Independent and will support her constituents who elected her. She is not supporting Keir Starmer, who has not supported her when she said 'only woman have a cervix' which antagonised the LCBT and pro-Trans communities.

And Rebecca Long-Bailey is sitting as an Independent only because Starmer removed the whip for six months from her and six other MPs because they voted against the continuation of the cap on two-child only benefit.

Rosie Duffield is brave to have stood as a Labour MP. She received a great deal of abuse for her stance on Trans-women.

I know Rosie51

I think it’s a common phenomenon that when one’s party is elected to Govern that the PM reaches dizzying heights of sainthood to their followers, complete with blinkers, only to be knocked down PDQ.

It happened to the Conservatives (not PM Truss though) and it’s happening in the Labour Party.