The next Labour leader thread

[Psycho Ned]

The only time Labour have got in power in the last soon to be 40 years is when they were Tory lite. They'll never get in under Corbyn his political ideologies appeals to a certain demographic but there will never be enough of them to get into power.

They need to find someone who can appeal to the masses and get Scotland back (well that may be hard depending on how the next few years go!) otherwise it's going to be a very tall order, currently they don't even know what their core voting base wants (joined up with the Torys in Scotland for the referendum which destroyed them there and campaigning for remain in the EU when most of their heartlands voted leave!) let alone how to bring the floating voters back!

 

[Christmas themed thank]

Listening to Chuka Umunna speaking, he's a potential winner I think, definitely from a Blairist-view.

 

[McPhee]

Is there actually any Labour MP who is actually dialled in to what their core supporters concerns are? This is the biggest problem Labour has the PLP has somehow allowed itself to move in a different path to the rest of the party.

Most of the names mentioned already in this thread are from the same metropolitan elite that Miliband represents and that's how you got Corbyn............I'm not sure what the solution is.

Pretty much what I was about to write. I like 'Metropolitan Elite'. A pretty accurate and succinct term TBH. There's too many people from that group on all sides of the House of Commons, and within much of the media. The BBC and The Guardian have been particularly intolerable today (writing as a Lefty who watches BBC News and reads The Guardian).

Corbyn is one of the few who seems to get it. It's just a shame he's not suited to the leadership job, and has to wrestle with a Parliamentary Labour Party that doesn't want to change. Essentially, the PLP are just waiting for the Tories to screw up and fall out so they can have their turn again. Until that happens, or until the PLP changes tactics, they'll keep haemorrhaging supporters. People will either jump to other parties, or simply won't vote.

It's really quite scary how many former Labour supporters voted for the first time in years (decades, for some) during the EU Referendum. It gives a pretty clear picture as to how disengaged the party is from it's traditional support, Instead of trying to fix this, it's spent the past couple of decades competing with the Tories for middle-class floating voters.

 

[McPhee]

The only time Labour have got in power in the last soon to be 40 years is when they were Tory lite. They'll never get in under Corbyn his political ideologies appeals to a certain demographic but there will never be enough of them to get into power.

During that time, the Tories were in total disarray. The party lacked leadership and structure, while Labour had this aplenty. Today, the tables are turned. Sure, the Tories have their problems, but they'll recover quickly from the EU referendum. It speaks volumes that there's a clear front-runner for the top job, and a long list of possible alternatives, while Labour are struggling to come up with one decent name.

If Labour elect someone like Chukka, they'll be competing for the same voters as the Tory Party. And they will lose. Again.

The party needs a change of direction. It needs to get back to its roots, understand what its core support wants (and I don't mean 20-something London 'Socialists'). But it also needs to have mainstream appeal. For Labour to win an election against a strong Tory Party, it needs to inspire people to vote or start voting again, while keeping mainstream appeal. That will be a difficult task that very few people are capable of meeting. I simply can't see Chuka or David Miliband achieving that. Instead they'll pull off a respectable defeat.

 

[No1newts]

I'm not a labour supporter however I do like a credible alternative. I think it would be a blow for democracy to see Blairite, Torylite, Labour back again. For all that I disagreed with some of Corbyn's views feeling there was a real "alternative" was a good step.

Clearly though they do not want to actually represent true ideologies as we have career politicians who only care for themselves

 

[RDM]

I'm not a labour supporter however I do like a credible alternative. I think it would be a blow for democracy to see Blairite, Torylite, Labour back again. For all that I disagreed with some of Corbyn's views feeling there was a real "alternative" was a good step.

Clearly though they do not want to actually represent true ideologies as we have career politicians who only care for themselves

Corbyn is a career politician.

 

[McPhee]

Corbyn is a career politician.

I'm pretty sure you know what he meant

Careerist would probably be a better word. There's a number of people in Westminster for the wrong reasons. I wouldn't count Jeremy among them (numerous as his flaws might be).

 

[zangetsu19]

Doubt Corbyn will go tbh hes played this great.

There's so much anger at the minute aim at Tory#s but none really towards labour so they might get a major swing in the next vote.

 

[h4rm0ny]

Labour need another Tony Blair. It's the only chance they have of election.

There are worse things than losing an election.

 

[Secret_Window]

I actually thought Hilary Benn would be a good leader. You could argue he comes across as Tory lite but in comparison to Corbyn who has far left views, I think moving back to the centre is the only way Labour can bring back some support and credbility again.

 

[h4rm0ny]

well i guess the cat is out of the bag on if he's going as alister campbell was on the bbc and let slip "when he goes".

Alaister Campbell never "lets slip" anything by accident and his career is literally manipulating public opinion. Just because Alistair 'Tony's Evil Henchman' Campbell insinuates something, doesn't mean its gospel. I mean the man was complicit in a lie that killed British soldiers, and you want to look to him for truth?

 

[McPhee]

If they want to give winning a snap election their best shot, Dan Jarvis is probably the best Labour can field. The Sun love an 'army hero', and his background should mean he isn't seen as part of the political establishment. I'm not sure he'll stand though - from what he said last year I got the impression he's waiting until he'd have a realistic shot at being PM.

Whoever they pick, if they want to win then it needs to be someone who can encourage those who don't normally vote to get off their backsides and vote Labour. Scotland is long gone. I can't see the likes of Chukka Umuna, Tristram Hunt, or Hilary Benn pulling that off (though I do like Benn - he'd make a decent caretaker leader, as would Watson).

TBH Labour's best chance at a win is likely to be a coalition with the SNP and the Lib Dems, which is kinda awkward given Scotland could be off in a few years. Just imagine; EU Referendum in 2016, General Election called for May 2017 (Labour/SNP government), Scottish Independence Referendum and Irish Border Referendum called for September 2018 (Scotland votes to leave, NI votes to reunite with ROI), General Election called for May 2019. I can see voter turn-out hitting an all time low by that last one as everyone decides they've had enough of elections

 

[Cosimo]

Listening to Chuka Umunna speaking, he's a potential winner I think, definitely from a Blairist-view.

He came across very well yesterday taking about the referendum. He has the look and feel of a modern party leader.

 

[marc2003]

He came across very well yesterday taking about the referendum. He has the look and feel of a modern party leader.

But he doesn't like the extra press coverage being a leadership contender brings. Last time, he lasted 3 days before he gave up.

 

[Sankari]

Listening to Chuka Umunna speaking, he's a potential winner I think, definitely from a Blairist-view.

The nation has just voted Leave on the basis of lies, fearmongering, and xenophobic sound bites. I doubt they'll vote for a party led by a bloke called Chuka Umunna.

 

[Cosimo]

But he doesn't like the extra press coverage being a leadership contender brings. Last time, he lasted 3 days before he gave up.

Maybe he should come back and could easy get pr working. I don't follow labour but everytime I see one of their politicians I think that they lack charisma, that little extra that makes you think leader. All very uninspiring with no new ideas. It's a big issue as the longer it continues the more unelectable you will become.

 

[Freddie1980]

The nation has just voted Leave on the basis of lies, fearmongering, and xenophobic sound bites. I doubt they'll vote for a party led by a bloke called Chuka Umunna.

A bit early to go running back to the metropolitan elite don't you think?

 

[Destination]

But he doesn't like the extra press coverage being a leadership contender brings. Last time, he lasted 3 days before he gave up.

Yes when they started publishing the stories of the private club here is the member of with the brandy at 3.5k a bottle.
Very modern labour

 

[Rosbif]

How can Corbyn stand there and blame the housing crisis on the Tories? The past Labour government did jack all about it too.

I just can't stand this kind of tosh. Its garbage.

 

[scorza]

The nation has just voted Leave on the basis of lies, fearmongering, and xenophobic sound bites. I doubt they'll vote for a party led by a bloke called Chuka Umunna.

Now you're projecting Australian levels of racism on the British people. Do stop it.