Posts Tagged ‘PLP’

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Andy Burnham’s letter to the Parliamentary Labour Party

22/05/2010, 08:29:20 AM

Dear Colleague

RECONNECTING LABOUR

Yesterday I announced my intention to seek enough support to be able to go forward as a candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party.

It is a big step but one I am ready to take. I have been a proud member of the Party for 25 years. In that time, I have served it at every level. In the last five years, I have held demanding Ministerial briefs, including Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Throughout all the ups and downs of Government, I always put loyalty to the Party and both leaders first and foremost.

My reason for standing is because I have a clear vision of how I think we need to rebuild our Party for new times. We must become a more modern, open and campaigning force for good.

We must reconnect with our own members and grassroots, bringing the wider Labour family back together.

We must reconnect with young people. I want it always to be the case that Labour is where all young people look first if they want to change the world.

And, above all, we must reconnect with the people who have lost confidence in Labour in recent years. I believe I can reach those people and ensure that their concerns are always our concerns. (more…)

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Ed Balls’ letter to the PLP 20.5.10

20/05/2010, 04:58:59 PM

Dear colleague,

The election for Labour leader is not just about the future of the Labour Party. It’s about the future of our country. This contest has to be about the public first.

That’s why yesterday I launched my campaign to lead our party at a public meeting in Gedling, a marginal seat we held against the odds. On the way, I visited a pre-school playgroup in Basildon with our former colleague Angela Smith – a seat we must win to get back in to government.

Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll be meeting not just party members, but the public too, in town halls, community centres and homes right across the country. A debate which takes place only in Westminster – just in party meetings or think tank seminars so we can then present the public with what we have decided – cannot produce the ideas or forge the coalition needed to win power again.

Leadership is about being strong, about taking tough decisions, about taking people with you and building a consensus for change based on your values and what you stand for. But it must also be about genuinely listening and hearing first before you decide. (more…)

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Life beyond electoral death for Labour’s Special Advisers

18/05/2010, 08:00:50 AM

It has been 14 years since we’ve had such a contest, but Labour still elects its Shadow Cabinet.  This is a quaint practice which used to be a web of corruption.  Ray Powell, the former MP for Ogmore and accommodation whip, was the spider at its centre.  He collected blank ballot papers in return for larger offices and other whiply favours.

Regional blocks were a big thing in those days.  As were voting bands of drinking buddies and over-representation by those more courtly and solicitous than they were talented.

The modern Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) will not go back to those ways.  Where it will go is not clear.

At its first meeting last Wednesday – called at the height of the post-election bargaining frenzy – the PLP decided that there would be no Shadow Cabinet elections till after the new leader had been chosen. (more…)

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