2010 « Labour Uncut

Archive for 2010

Forget the leadership – the real fight is to be deputy speaker

01/06/2010, 07:40:57 AM

The real cognoscente election of the moment is that for the Labour deputy speakerships.

It is hard to get worked up about the leadership election. So many months. So few differences.

And the shadow cabinet election, not scheduled to happen till after the new leader is anointed, remains a little abstract. (The emerging theme, though, is of a bizarre mass election in which more members of the PLP stand than don’t.)

But the first ever deputy speakership election is interesting. Ostensibly, it is part of the revolutionary change sweeping Parliament in the wake of the expenses crisis. In fact, exactly the same people will be elected to exactly the same unsung jobs chairing Parliament’s unseen hours as would have been appointed anyway. (more…)

Posted in Inside | 3 Comments »

Tuesday News Review

01/06/2010, 07:29:33 AM

The Candidates

“The online nominations ticker last night recorded the leftwingers John McDonnell and Diane Abbott with the backing of six MPs and one respectively. Even if they pool their efforts, as they certainly should, they will probably fail to reach the hurdle of 33 which must be cleared before ordinary members get a say. The pair can sound naive in characterising public opinion, but on specific issues such as ID cards, Iraq and tax their arguments do not merely resonate on Labour’s radical fringe, but across swaths of middle England.” – The Guardian

Abbott: making her case for the leadership

“Asked whether she could get sufficient support to get on the ballot paper, Abbott replied: “I want to make the very best case I can for taking part in the final debate over who will be leading the Labour Party. I think we are in a pivotal moment for the Labour Party.”” – The Voice

“This leadership election ought to be a showcase for the modern Labour Party and actually enthuse the public. And it ought to embrace all wings of the party. If the current front-runners are the only contenders, it will be a less lively debate and less true to the breadth of opinion inside the party. So that is why I am standing in this election.” – Diane Abbott, Tribune Magazine

“We’ve always known that Alastair Campbell doesn’t have a great deal of time for Ed Balls. But it’s still gratifying to have this finally confirmed.” – New Statesman blogs on Alastair Campbell’s new diaries

Milibands: the sibling rivalry debate rolls on

“[Psychologist Dr Apter’s] opinion, which won’t cheer the families of the Milibands or any other brotherly duellers, is that the rivalry doesn’t end with the contest. “No amount of public or professional success puts to rest the question of ‘how do I measure up against him?’ ” says Dr Apter.

“With the Milibands there is the added dimension that their father, a charismatic left-wing intellectual, is dead. Dr Apter says that it is not hard to imagine their thoughts: “My brother may be Prime Minister but I’m the better son. My father would have been prouder of me. I’m the real heir.” – The Times

The Issues

“Pro-immigration groups and leftwing activists have spoken out against Labour’s leadership candidates for blaming the party’s electoral defeat on lax rules allowing too many people into the UK. Hina Majid, legal policy director at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, told The FT the group was ‘worried about the direction the party might be taking’.” – The Financial Times

Jim Garner Enters the Leadership Race

“This blogger didn’t plan to post while on holiday, but news that the South Luxton and Wetfield MP Jim Garner is seeking nominations for the Labour leadership has reached Scrapbook” – Political Scrapbook

Jim Garner’s Bid

Lord Prescott and the Environmental Campaign

Lord Prescott

“In many respects, it’s not the 71-year-old political bruiser’s fault that he, once again, finds himself the subject of such ridicule – everyone knows that he has accepted the peerage so his delightfully charming wife Pauline, who has put up with so much over the years, can become Lady P and that this was one argument that Prescott was never going to win.” –Yorkshire Post

“John Prescott has claimed he only accepted his life peerage to continue his campaigning work on the environment…yesterday he insisted his decision to become Lord Prescott had been motivated by his desire to carry on with his work on environmental issues, having recently returned from China where he was in talks about the issue.” – The Scotsman

Labour and Plaid Cymru’s War of Words on Defence

“While Plaid’s policy on defence and international relations will be discussed, the purpose of the conference is not to create official party policy. Plaid is a democratic party and our policies are passed by our membership at either the Annual Conference or National Council meetings. How Derek Vaughan can claim to be ‘shocked’ is beyond me. The Labour Party regularly hold academic conferences with various groups and think-tanks. With their disastrous track record in government in Westminster of leading us into illegal and immoral wars, Plaid will take no lessons on foreign policy from the Labour party.” A Plaid Cymru Statesman – Wales Online

Posted in Unbound | No Comments »

Pressure mounts on undecided MPs to back likely losers

31/05/2010, 10:50:47 AM

The weekend has seen a flurry of letters to MPs from unrelated activists all over the country asking them to nominate John McDonnell. Several MPs report having received literally dozens of such emails in the last 72 hours.

There was a short burst of similar activity in support of Diane Abbott just after she announced her candidacy, but it soon tailed off.

The current deluge is the result of an impressive organisational effort by McDonnell, who has also succeeded in getting the leaders of several unions (for instance, the bakers, the Fire Brigades Union, the Communication Workers Union) to write to MPs in his support.

Reports from constituency parties reveal an almost universal desire for as many names as possible on the leadership ballot paper. Regardless of their individual allegiences, party members want the widest choice. (more…)

Posted in Inside | 3 Comments »

Jim Garner’s Letter to the Parliamentary Labour Party

31/05/2010, 10:45:50 AM

I sent out this letter to every Labour MP today, explaining why I am standing for the Labour leadership. I signed each letter personally. It took ages.

Dear colleague,

As a Party, we have just come through one of the toughest elections in a generation. Thirteen years of governing took its toll. We need to renew. We lost touch. We need to reconnect. Our ability to broadcast our values to our core root disappeared.

That’s why today I am putting myself forward to be considered for leader of our Party.

I realise I am not the most experienced candidate in the field, having only become an MP earlier this month. If you believe that having been a minister and dealing with the pressure that that brings, day in day out, makes you more suitable for the role of leader, then I am not your man. (more…)

Posted in Inside | 2 Comments »

Monday News Review

31/05/2010, 07:45:59 AM

The candidates

Diane Abbott makes pitch to Sun readers

“”They all look, sound and think the same. I want to ask the difficult questions. The sort of questions Sun readers want asked.” But she faces a battle to win enough nominations to get her name on the leadership ballot.” – Diane Abbott, The Sun

“All that the contenders have to offer are their political skills, they are all creatures of New Labour. That makes them likable, good communicators and very clever; but the drawbacks are equally evident. They are all youngish men who have grown up inside the distortions of the adrenaline-fuelled life of government.” – The Guardian

“Ed Miliband said that he and David never fought during childhood because “we are both too weedy for that”. He said that he chose to stand for election so party members had a diverse choice. “The one thing about opposition is that it gives you the chance to renew,” he said. “It was an incredibly hard decision for me to decide to run against my brother. It’s unusual, to put it mildly.”” – The Telegraph

Scotland & Wales make play for NEC seat

Iain Gray calls for NEC seats for Scotland & Wales

“Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray has said he wants greater influence in the UK party, after calling for a place on its ruling body. Mr Gray told BBC Scotland the time had come to give Labour’s Holyrood leader a seat on the national executive committee to “bind” the party together.” – The BBC

“LABOUR’S Scottish and Welsh leaders should have a say on how the party is governed by gaining a seat on its National Executive Committee, according to Iain Gray. The Scottish Labour leader said he had urged the party leadership challengers to allow him and Welsh leader Carwyn Jones to join the body that formulates policy” – The Scotsman

“Labour’s Scottish and Welsh leaders should have a say on how the party is governed, Iain Gray said. The Scottish Labour leader revealed that he has urged the leadership contenders to give him a seat on the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).” – Press Association

Uniting the Union

“Mr Simpson and Mr Woodley are due to retire, and will be replaced by one general secretary, who will have a major influence on the Labour Party, of which Unite is the biggest financial backer. The odds are not in Ms Cartmail’s favour, because within each of the two unions that made up Unite there was an efficient vote-garnering machine.” – The Independent

“A moment of truth is approaching for Thigmoo – “this great movement of ours”, aka the UK’s once mighty trade unions, now facing their biggest test for 30 years as the Con-Lib coalition prepares public spending cuts that could threaten at least 500,000 jobs.” – The FT

Brown down

“Gordon Brown has “good days and bad days” but is coming to terms with losing power, ex-Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell said yesterday. Mr Campbell told the BBC the former Prime Minister was “reconciled to the fact that he didn’t win the election”.” – The Mirror

Posted in Unbound | No Comments »

Deputy speaker election rules, from Rob Gibson’s Gallery News email

30/05/2010, 02:34:13 PM

The ballot will be held in the division lobbies from 11am to 12 noon on Tuesday, June 8. Nominations may be submitted in the Lower Table Office from 10am to 5pm on the day before, Monday, June 7.

The election of a Chairman of Ways and Means and two Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means will be by secret ballot under the Single Transferable Vote system.

Candidates must submit a brief signed statement declaring their willingness to stand together with the signatures of no fewer than 6 and not more than 10 sponsors. No Member may sign more than three nomination forms.

The list of candidates and their sponsors will be published. (more…)

Posted in Inside | 2 Comments »

Dawn Primarolo’s deputy speaker letter

30/05/2010, 02:10:39 PM

From: PRIMAROLO, Dawn

Sent: 24 May 2010 15:05

To: PRIMAROLO, Dawn

Subject: Deputy Speaker Elections

Dear colleague

Deputy Speaker Elections

I am writing to formally ask if you will support my candidacy for the role of Deputy Speaker.

When I was elected to Parliament 23 years ago I was a single parent. Even with support from family and friends it is difficult I know to deal with all the demands. In that time as a backbencher, shadow minister and government minister I have always tried to support and encourage all my colleagues, to help them achieve their potential. (more…)

Posted in Inside | No Comments »

George Howarth’s deputy speaker letter

30/05/2010, 02:05:12 PM

Dear Colleague,

I am writing to seek your support in the forthcoming ballot for Deputy Speaker.

I have served as an MP for 23 years – with periods as a Government Minister and on the Front Bench in opposition as well as time as a backbencher. As a member of the Speaker’s Chairmen’s Panel, I am accustomed to chairing Westminster Hall debates and Committee proceedings. I believe that my extensive experience will enable me to fulfil the responsibilities of Deputy Speaker. (more…)

Posted in Inside | No Comments »

Lindsay Hoyle’s deputy speaker letter

30/05/2010, 01:57:58 PM

Sent: 19 May 2010 17:42

Subject: Deputy Speaker Election – Email from Lindsay Hoyle MP

Dear Colleague

I am writing to formally announce my candidacy for the role of Deputy Speaker, as to be decided next Thursday 27th May.

Progressive reform is to be at the heart of our new parliament; reform that is widely recognised as both welcome and necessary. I am confident that each of us privileged to have gained the confidence and trust of our constituents believe in the fundamental values of our democracy; that of a robust, scrutinised system where parliament and people crucially, and rightfully work as a team. (more…)

Posted in Inside | No Comments »