Tuesday 9 June 2015

LABOUR LEADERSHIP DAMP SQUIB.

One of the reasons why Labour did so poorly in the recent General Election was almost certainly the electorate's perception of Ed Miliband, the party's leader. He simply didn't look or act like a potential Prime Minister.

Following Miliband's departure, Labour is trying to find a new leader who will be able to convince the public that they are of the right calibre and have the right approach. Sadly for the party, they have a pretty pathetic bunch from whom to choose.

First of all, the Labour party seems to have very few MPs who have any gravitas. Of their major players, almost none are household names; with neither Miliband nor Ed Balls available, who is left ? The one big name that springs to mind is the current acting leader, Harriet Harman, but she also appears to be stepping aside. The result is that the party has a rag-bag of candidates, none of whom exactly throws the Conservatives into a panic.

Andy Burnham seems a nice chap but 'Prime Minister' ? Yvette Cooper, earnest and committed, but also 'Mrs Ed Balls' and again, can anyone really see her representing the UK on either the national or international stage ? Liz Kendall - who ? Ms Kendall has been an MP for 5 years, prior to which she had a variety of 'jobs' as a political 'Special Advisor' and worked for various politically orientated charities. She seems to be something of an empty vessel.

Mary Creagh has, at least, been an MP for twice as long as Ms Kendall, but is another career politician. She has not made much of a splash at Westminster though she has been in the Shadow Cabinet since 2010. In some ways, she may be the most interesting of the declared candidates, though she may not gain the required number of nominations to actually make it to the ballot.

Finally, there is veteran left winger Jeremy Corbin. An MP since 1983, Corbin is of an older and more reactionary generation ; he will, no doubt, have a following amongst those from the more extreme left of the party but would be a return to the days of Michael Foot if he were to succeed Miliband as leader.

Frankly, what a bunch. There does not seem to be anyone here who will be able to galvanise their party, let alone the electorate. Cameron et al must be laughing their socks off.