This week we will finally find out who will make it into the new leaders opposition fighting force. The squad of 49 will be trimmed to 19. The mother of all popularity contests will culminate on Thursday, with 30 wannabe front benchers being sent back to the minors.
It is all too much for some members of the PLP to take. It only took a day to upset Bob Ainsworth. Tom Watson announced a pretty strict rule on twitter: send me unsolicited text messages and it’s game over.
Another member of the PLP, sick of the constant emailing, letter writing and texting sent this to the Uncut mobile:
XXXXX, just reminding you to vote for me in the Shadow Cabinet elections (the ballot opens today). David Lammy
I HAVE NEVER EVEN SPOKEN TO HIM, LET ALONE PROMISED TO VOTE FOR HIM.
* * *
I’m standing for shadow cabinet. Ed needs a strong team and I wld bring energy *and* experience. Pls will u consider supporting me? Thanks, Peter Hain
IMPERSONAL BUT AT LEAST POLITE.
Thursday can’t come soon enough, not only for the 49 who have thrown their hats into the ring, but for the rest of the PLP. The runners and riders are:
Diane Abbott
Douglas Alexander
Ed Balls
Andy Burnham
Jim Murphy
Gareth Thomas
Shaun Woodward
Tags: front bench, PLP, Shadow Cabinet
My wishlist would be as follows
Dianne Abbott – Foriegn secretary
Evette Cooper – Chancelloer of Exchequor
Tessa Jowell -Sports /Olympics
Maria Eagle- Chief Whip
Meg Hillier- Health
Roberta Blackman-woods- Education
Fiona McTaggaert- Childrens Minister
Ed balls- Home secretary
Andy Burnham-Environment
Danny Alexander- Scotland
Oh well its as good as it gets I suppose !!!
Danny Alexander has a job already (and was, admittedly, Scotland Secretary for a few days), I’m afraid, and as far as I know there’s no sign of him giving it up. I think you mean Douglas.