The waiting has finally ended... Step forward John McDonnell. Thankfully Michael Meacher stepped down in favour of John. The media is making comments like, "hardly a household name", "just who is John McDonnell"? Well, unsuprising really but I have to say that I am very pleased John has got this far.I saw John speak at the hustings at Labour Against the War and he was much more impressive than Michael Meacher. McDonnell at least talked about his vision for uniting the left over his campaign and to bring LP activists together while Meacher rattled off a shopping list of proposals. McDonnell was voted for unanimously. He has also got Tribune and Unison (Scotland) supporting him and by all accounts he did well debating at the Fabian Society last night.
To be honest, it will be hard work to get the nominations but fingers crossed. I will continue to support the campaign and hope comrades will do as well. At least this campaign highlights the Left, left -wing ideas and the bringing together of activists. And debate and discussion back into the public domain.
There was coverage of the Deputy Leadership contest as well on the news with bits on Harriet Harman and Hazel Blears ("she bores me to tears"..). Interestingly, there was a bit on Jon Cruddas and emphasis on his trade union backing..
I am off now to get drunk and to raise a toast to John McDonnell (well, that's my excuse)!
10 comments:
Fantastic news!
I really am glad, not least becaaue it means i won't have to defend michael meacher
I have wondered whether the decision by the T&G to back Cruddas for deoputy has caused any frostiness in the Harman/Dromey marital arrangements.
Yes, this is definitely the best possible outcome. Although McDonnell cannot beat Brown, it does at least present the challenge from the left of the party, raising at least a whisper that it still exists as a parliamentary possibility. It is much better for the left to challenge Brown and lose than for the centre-left to challenge Brown and lose.
The "who is John McDonnell?" stuff is utter hypocrisy. They've known for months he was intending to run, and they've barely given him a second glance. Now, when Brown blows his nose, it's a national news story.
Yeah, Phugebrins, I agree re: hypocrisy. Last night was all.. "Just who is..." Well, it is expected as the media will keep McD in the background and all be based on spin and rubbish.
Though I watched this programme on C4 last night about Gordie Brown and it started off saying what a lovely chap he is (ad nauseum) by his mates but the majority of the programme was about
Brown's "personality" as opposed to his politics. It was rather subjective and personal. The establishment obv. don't like the guy.....
Does McDonnell now have the necessary nominations to stand?
Adam J
Adam: Well, combined with Meacher's, in theory he does, but that's in theory. We have a long way to go.
I am going to be lobbying my sad sap of a Blairite MP. I mean, he supported the EDM on Trident. That must have given him nightmares for days defying New Labour.
Out of the Unison MPs there (61 altogether) are 44 for Brown, 12 for John and 5 undecided. These 44 MPs should seriously think about why they are backing a man who is hellbent on destroying the public sector: why back these tossers...
So much for support for public services and against privatisation. Pressure should be put on the 5 undecided.....
Anyone got a good link to a list of who's backing who (preferably with notes on their union backing)?
Phugebrins: have a look on Union Futures blog (http://unionfutures.blogspot.com)
Btw: I just discovered my Blairite MP has NOT nominated anyone as yet which has really surprised me. Obviously him supporting the EDM on Trident was the slippery left slope for him (he has been trying to "talk Left" in the glossy newsletters I receive for past couple of mths) and maybe he has developed a spine in the process.
So, I will be lobbying him.....
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