Labour Party (UK) Leadership Election, 2010 Discussion Thread

[Meeker]

But they're brothers. Do they hate each other or something? This is like something out of a movie.

[hawkeye59]

Has a Prime Minister ever lost their seat?

[k-onmmunist]

The NEC has yet to decide on a timetable. There used to be a rule that you have to be a member for a given number of months to vote in internal elections, though I forget the number of months and whether it's still in force.

I've not managed to find any reference to it :S

[Verily]

Has a Prime Minister ever lost their seat?

Not while Prime Minister. However, Ramsay McDonald was defeated (by an official Labour candidate, himself running as National Labour) in the 1935 election, a few months after resigning as Prime Minister, and Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home all lost reelection at some point prior to becoming Prime Minister. (Churchill lost reelection as a National Liberal in 1922, before he defected to the Conservatives; Macmillan and Douglas-Home both lost in 1945.)

Many Prime Ministers failed to win election to the Commons in seats where they were not incumbents prior to becoming PM.

[Iosif]

David Cameron lost as the conservative candidate for Stafford in 1997 if I'm not mistaken.

So what's the timeline for the election? Weeks? Months? The Labour party conference in September?

David and Ed will come to an understanding and Ed won't run. Ed Balls will as will Cruddas but the party will form around David.

He's the right candidate in my opinion. When was the last time all 3 parties had leaders in the early 40's?

[Hash]

But they're brothers. Do they hate each other or something? This is like something out of a movie.

More like out of the Hauts-de-Seine UMP in France, Puteaux in particular.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Not while Prime Minister. However, Ramsay McDonald was defeated (by an official Labour candidate, himself running as National Labour) in the 1935 election, a few months after resigning as Prime Minister,

By Manny Shinwell. 38,380 to 17,882.

Probably the closest in the 20th century would be Balfour in 1906 (defeated at Manchester East). Only reason why he wasn't PM at the time was because his government actually resigned in advance of the election, even though it had a majority in the Commons. He was also the last leader of the Tories to lose his seat.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

But they're brothers. Do they hate each other or something? This is like something out of a movie.

You have to remember that there's was not an ordinary upbringing. Their father was Ralph Miliband, the Marxist academic best known for Parliamentary Socialism (which, given the careers of his sons, is a hilarious fact) and he raised his children accordingly. Ed is also very different from David in his politics; he's much more left-wing. Might actually be to the left of Cruddas in some respects.

Anyway, while I wouldn't be surprised if Ed runs, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't either. He would certainly be a more interesting leader than David and has the advantage of not looking like a tool.

[Tuck!]

David Miliband looks more like a 'leader' if you want to move the discussion to appearance.

[You kip if you want to...]

David Miliband looks more like a 'leader' if you want to move the discussion to appearance.

He does, which I think probably has more sway with the electorate than actually being a good leader. I think Ed Miliband would make a better leader, but David would make the party more electable.

[Insula Dei]

Fast Forward to the leaders' debates 2015 (or 2014, or 2013, or 2012, or 2011, or next November), if Miliband wins this thing, you will not only have 3 centrist parties, but you'll also have 3 young 40-something, smooth-faced, 'charismatic', Blair-clones standing up there.

And that is one thing that won't happen with either Balls or Crudass , love them or hate them, as Labour leader.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

There have been suggestions that Balls might not run because of the narrow margin in his seat. The same factor might apply to Denham.

One to watch - perhaps - is Burnham. Northern, young, working class background, safe seat and quite traditional-sounding in some ways.

[You kip if you want to...]

Fast Forward to the leaders' debates 2015 (or 2014, or 2013, or 2012, or 2011, or next November), if Miliband wins this thing, you will not only have 3 centrist parties, but you'll also have 3 young 40-something, smooth-faced, 'charismatic', Blair-clones standing up there.

The 2015 debates should be good.

Clegg: "David, your government's record is disgusting... oh wait..."

[You kip if you want to...]

Burnham says that he's "clearly thinking about it" to ITV Granada.

[k-onmmunist]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

Well, fingers crossed I'll certainly be voting for him. Anti-tuition fees, pro-comprehensive, anti-Iraq war, anti-Trident replacement... perfect man to restore Labour to its roots.

[You kip if you want to...]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

Well, fingers crossed I'll certainly be voting for him. Anti-tuition fees, pro-comprehensive, anti-Iraq war, anti-Trident replacement... perfect man to restore Labour to its roots.

1983... yay...

[Iosif]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

Well, fingers crossed I'll certainly be voting for him. Anti-tuition fees, pro-comprehensive, anti-Iraq war, anti-Trident replacement... perfect man to restore Labour to its roots.

What kind of Libertarian is for state-sponsored higher education?

[k-onmmunist]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

Well, fingers crossed I'll certainly be voting for him. Anti-tuition fees, pro-comprehensive, anti-Iraq war, anti-Trident replacement... perfect man to restore Labour to its roots.

1983... yay...

My favourite manifesto of all time and the one closest to my views.

[You kip if you want to...]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

Well, fingers crossed I'll certainly be voting for him. Anti-tuition fees, pro-comprehensive, anti-Iraq war, anti-Trident replacement... perfect man to restore Labour to its roots.

1983... yay...

My favourite manifesto of all time and the one closest to my views.

There's not really much point in it being good or well liked, if it can't get the party elected though. I, personally, wouldn't want to see what 2 terms of (Tory) Dave would do to the country.

[Meeker]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

Well, fingers crossed I'll certainly be voting for him. Anti-tuition fees, pro-comprehensive, anti-Iraq war, anti-Trident replacement... perfect man to restore Labour to its roots.

What kind of Libertarian is for state-sponsored higher education?

He's not a libertarian this week.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Ed Miliband is reported to have told his CLP that he's running.

[You kip if you want to...]

Ed Miliband is reported to have told his CLP that he's running.

Yup!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-miliband-launches-his-leadership-bid-by-urging-return-to-old-radical-edge-1973930.html

I'd love either of the Milibands to become leader (although, I think David is probably more electable).

[Хahar 🤔]

I can't think of any parallel to this in the past. Nelson and Winthrop Rockefeller both received votes for President at the 1968 Republican National Convention, but they weren't really running against each other.

[k-onmmunist]

It's looking increasingly likely that Cruddas will run, which would be a good thing for the Party, regardless of his chances (which might be better than a lot of pundits think; for some reason they seem to be forgetting quite how close he came to becoming Deputy Leader in 2007) as he's an intelligent man with a greater understanding of political sociology than is usual for a politician.

Well, fingers crossed I'll certainly be voting for him. Anti-tuition fees, pro-comprehensive, anti-Iraq war, anti-Trident replacement... perfect man to restore Labour to its roots.

What kind of Libertarian is for state-sponsored higher education?

He's not a libertarian this week.

[Umengus]

Fast Forward to the leaders' debates 2015 (or 2014, or 2013, or 2012, or 2011, or next November), if Miliband wins this thing, you will not only have 3 centrist parties, but you'll also have 3 young 40-something, smooth-faced, 'charismatic', Blair-clones standing up there.

And that is one thing that won't happen with either Balls or Crudass , love them or hate them, as Labour leader.

"blair clones"... all is said.