Well Done Rosie Duffield

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 election was lost

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.

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;

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.

JKR is critical of Starmer over what ?

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

She didn’t speak of that in her resignation letter

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

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.

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

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

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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.

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 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 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?

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.

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’

Galaxy

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.

You’ve lost me Galaxy, I don’t think anybody on here has said that, or implied it have they?

Casdon

Galaxy

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.

You’ve lost me Galaxy, I don’t think anybody on here has said that, or implied it have they?

Iam64 seems to in her post at 15.47

Well said Galaxy I voted Labour so wouldn't class myself as 'of the right'

I don't remember there being any demands for resignations and by-elections when Natalie Elphicke and Dan Poulter crossed the floor from posters who now think RD should do just that. I do think 'crossing the floor' is such a big change it should be followed by a by-election.

What about when MPs have the whip withdrawn whether completely or for a specified or unspecified time? Wasn't Diane Abbott suspended, so an independent MP, for just over a year until the election was announced? Did anyone suggest she should stand in a by-election as an independent?

I don’t think that’s what Iam64 meant Rosie51, she was talking about right leaning Gransnetters?
The one that sprang immediately to my mind who resigned the whip was Lee Anderson. If an MP has the whip suspended by the party, to my mind that’s a separate category, because once the disciplinary process is complete they either return to the whip or don’t. If they don’t (numerous examples of MPs in this category) then a by election should be called at that stage in my view, because again, they aren’t representing their electorate.

No Rosie51, I was not suggesting Duffield is of the right, apologies if I was not clear. I was pointing out that many posters whose views lean right are supportive her. My own view is the support is based on their dislike of `Starmer.
I have always believed that by elections should follow when MPs no longer represent the part in whose name they were elected.
Yes it was suggested Diane Abbot stand as an independent . Jeremy Corbyn did and was elected.

Casdon x post
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Corbyn was expelled from the Labour Party , Abbott was suspended from the Labour Party .
July the constituents voted for a Labour MP, September they now have an independent MP, this is wrong

Iam64

No Rosie51, I was not suggesting Duffield is of the right, apologies if I was not clear. I was pointing out that many posters whose views lean right are supportive her. My own view is the support is based on their dislike of `Starmer.
I have always believed that by elections should follow when MPs no longer represent the part in whose name they were elected.
Yes it was suggested Diane Abbot stand as an independent . Jeremy Corbyn did and was elected.

I didn't take it you thought Rosie Duffield was of the right, I took it you were saying those of us supporting her were of the right, which I, like Galaxy, am not. I support Rosie for Rosie and her defence of women's sex based rights, not as dislike for Starmer. I have criticised him for his treatment of RD at his election launch, but I appear to be alone in having that opinion as nobody else has made any comment.

I seem to recall that when it was rumoured Diane Abbott would stand as an independent after the election was called, she quickly had the whip restored. Obviously a coincidence, not because she is so well regarded by her constituents, she like Corbyn, would be sure to be elected.