I'd be happy with either Starmer or Phillips now. Long-Bailey would be in my opinion the wrong choice for now, although maybe a few years down the line, especially if she updates her look and image.

 

Frankly while I think Starmer is probably the unity candidate, I think Phillips would be better at holding Johnson to account and putting the cat among the pigeons within the Tories, Farage's latest outfit etc. and would draw back working-class folk to the party - where Starmer might be able to do that, but from authority rather than through undermining the space the Tories claim to occupy within society.

 

Rayner would have been even better at that, but I'll take what I can get.

 

Diane Abbott unfortunately is wise enough to know that she can't take this now, the media and public pressure against her is too strong. I'd advise her not to for her own mental health as well, although it does mean in a sense 'letting' the racists win. Unfortunately this has shown itself to be a nasty little country where 'we' (ie. the majority) really don't like black people to say things above their station - if they will in any way threaten the supreme power and comfort of the white majority.

Starmer and Phillips would hold Johnson to account in very different ways.

 

Starmer's attention to detail is a complete contrast to Johnson's attitude. He would be able to use his legal background to expose Johnson's complete lack of attention to detail at PMQs.

 

Phillips has a reputation for honesty, again very different from Johnson. I suspect Johnson would find it difficult to keep his temper with her, leaving him vulnerable to being seen as a bully. Those exchanges might get more exposure on new bulletins than Starmer's more forensic method of exposing Johnson's weaknesses.

 

Assuming he gets that far, I think Johnson would be reluctant to face either of them in a television debate at the next election.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who is running to be Deputy Leader of Labour, has taken a leaf out of the "Trust Me, I'm Lying" playbook by coming up with a potential policy so (intentionally) ludicrous that the media has no choice but to run with it, and people find it so ridiculous that they mockingly share it, therefore increasing her profile.

 

And given I'm sharing it, it worked.

 

 

@1214609970639048704

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who is running to be Deputy Leader of Labour, has taken a leaf out of the "Trust Me, I'm Lying" playbook by coming up with a potential policy so (intentionally) ludicrous that the media has no choice but to run with it, and people find it so ridiculous that they mockingly share it, therefore increasing her profile.

 

And given I'm sharing it, it worked.

@1214609970639048704

Ah, you've fallen for the Armando Iannucci script. Haven't you?

I mean, it's a brilliant PR strategy which means that an obscure Labour back-bencher will get to dominate the political media cycle twice.

 

The first is the one that's currently kicking off, where the "Ministry of Fabulosity" will be endlessly shared, commented upon, and/or mocked.

 

In the second cycle, which will begin in a few days time, will be the "indignant phase", Dr Rosana will act annoyed that everyone is talking about her dance-off policy and not about the NHS/Brexit/insert other bugbear, then as a kicker will say she wouldn't have got the same reaction if she wasn't a woman/Muslim etc. Thus gaining a second round of endless sharing on social media, with perhaps a BBC News website "Explainer" to boot.

 

It's strong media manipulation at its finest, and it could keep her in the public eye as the leadership contests get underway.

I'm glad some in Labour have ideas about how to control the conversation. It needs to be done - and something harmless and silly like this is a good way to move into it.

 

Long-Bailey has made several missteps in that regard. On the whole her policies are great, I notice the Green New Deal is being adopted by American politicians now (and to not attach it too clearly to her, other Labour candidates like Jess Phillips also support that policy), but her campaign is all too ready to make the same mistakes again and let the media twist her into sounding unreasonable ('10/10 Corbyn' being the latest, likely made because she does admire the man but that soundbite is going to go down horribly).

 

If you see her in action, she's more of a firebrand than Corbyn so could bring some energy to the dispatch box. But making her leader would be an admittance that Labour isn't ready to seek government until 2029 and I don't want that.

Unison have become the first major union to announce who they will be supporting. They have gone for Keir Starmer. He is definitely the candidate to beat at the moment. He was at school with Norman Cook so I wonder if there will be anything from him. They were both in the year above my brother.

Yeah he's the one to beat. Keep reading on DS from Labour members that he's the one most are voting for. Most think RLB is unsuitable.

 

Wonder if many Tories will pay £25 to join Labour and vote. Certainly not as many as would have done for £3.

Keir Starmer has become the first candidate to get enough nominations to make it onto the ballot paper.

This Tweet is disgusting and she should be ashamed of herself and the Telegraph should sack her. We keep telling kids not to bully other kids because of their appearance so what message does this send?

 

 

 

The shadow business secretary, who looks like the love child of the Roswell alien and Mrs Merton, just confirmed that she is running to succeed Jeremy Corbyn" Writes

@allisonpearson

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/TelePolitics/status/1214625847983951872

Edited January 8, 20205 yr by Crazy Chris

Oh and for the record I think RLB is very attractive. Better than Pearson if you look at her pic.

Edited January 8, 20205 yr by Crazy Chris

Allison Pearson truly is utter scum.

This is what happens when the Tories get in.

This is what happens when the Tories get in.

 

To what are you referring to? Labour having to pick a new leader?? :huh:

I've noticed something small but interesting in relation to media coverage of Rebecca Long-Bailey. Up until a few days ago, when the BBC referred to her the 2nd time in article, she has been referred to as Ms Long Bailey (see this article from 6th January). However, as of 7th January, she is now being referred to as Mrs Long-Bailey.

 

It's a tiny thing, but it's one that raised a lot of questions for me. My understanding of the BBC in-house writing style is that when referring to women, you should use Ms as a default (even if she is married) unless the person in question asks it to be changed to Mrs, Miss or other. This would suggest that Long Bailey has requested that the BBC refer to her in that way going forward, which would raise the question as to why now. Is it because she had a low profile before now and didn't see the need to request this minor change? Is it an attempt to mimic the only other two female Prime Ministers who were also referred to as Mrs (therefore cementing her in people's minds as PM material?). Is she trying to appeal to more traditionally-minded voters by using a more traditional title? Or perhaps because she thought it would lead to people talking about it, and by extension about her Leadership bid (which if so, she succeeded in getting at least one person to notice)?

The bBTory is NOT to be trusted. Their recent bizarre rants against her probably have something to do with it.

 

And no. Extra bullying, especially from the right wingers. They need to gtfo.

Five candidates through to next round.

 

 

Keir Starmer has 83 nominations from MP's.

Rebecca Long-Bailey has 33

Lisa Nandy 31

Emily Thornberry 23

Jess Philips 23

 

 

All 5 Deputy leader candidates through to next round.

Edited January 13, 20205 yr by Crazy Chris

So I was right to suggest Keir Starmer would be the only male candidate.

It will look kind of bad if Keir wins and prevents a first female leader when all the other candidates are female - but I do feel like he really is the best choice there!

 

I don't even know who Clive Lewis is if I'm honest, I saw he dropped out.

 

Still can't believe Wrong Daily is there and Angela Rayner not, I can't put into words how gutted I am about that.

Edited January 13, 20205 yr by Tawdry Hepburn

It will look kind of bad if Keir wins and prevents a first female leader when all the other candidates are female - but I do feel like he really is the best choice there!

 

 

Sky's political editor saying Jess could be the dark horse here.