Michael Meacher interviewed

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Another interesting interview, this time with centre-left leadership candidate, Michael Meacher.

Meacher actually comes over pretty well. He puts growing inequality as his highest priority, saying that he never expected there would be growing poverty alongide growing super wealth under a Labour government.

He also stresses the importance of the environment, and his opposition to PFI and privatisation, and the need for democratic renewal. He positions himself as representing the traditional Labour mainstream, rather than being the candidate of the left. In historical terms of course this is true.

He also addresses the issue of whether he is splitting the left constituency, and Meacher claims he is standing becasue he has a better chance of getting the necessary 44 nominations. In some ways he does have a point that McDonnell (as a hard left candidate) may not be best placed to attract votes from the centre of the party. Whether Meacher is better placed is another question.

Actually he does make a very interesting point about why a contest for leader is important in order to make Gordon Brown accountable, answering questions about why he is suitable, and what policies he will be following.

By the way, I notice that Lindis Percy, the brilliant peace campaigner, is supporting Michael.