Ed Miliband, he is the one.

[Nolan]

Adam Boulton blogs about some of the voting numbers here: http://blogs.news.sky.com/boultonandco/Post:642ae84c-1051-4fb0-8e68-8c2076174a5e

 

and how the Unions may have influenced the vote is blogged about here: http://blogs.ft.com/westminster/2010/09/how-the-unions-may-have-upped-the-ed-miliband-vote/

[benjii]

I heard a snippet on the radio that a load of ballot papers were disqualified because people forgot to tick a box at the bottom?

 

Bit embarrassing!

 

Also a lot of less than enthused faces on the Channel 4 News coverage of the conference today.

[Nolan]

yeah, there was apparently a box you had to tick to say you support the labour party.

 

1 in 10 union papers were spoiled, the majority because that box wasn't ticked. Seems like that is a lot of union members who don't support labour.

[bridge too far]

yeah, there was apparently a box you had to tick to say you support the labour party.

 

1 in 10 union papers were spoiled, the majority because that box wasn't ticked. Seems like that is a lot of union members who don't support labour.

 

That seems fair enough. If you don't support the Labour Party, you shouldn't be voting to choose its leader. I don't support the Conservatives and I didn't have a vote to choose its leader.

[Viking Warrior]

I think the labour leadership process needs to be investigated as the fairness and openess is open to question

 

A labour MP admitted that he got to vote three times instead of just once

 

he got one ballot paper because he was an MP

One becuase he is a union member/ official

and another for being a labour party member

 

Surely he should have been only allowed one vote not three separate ones.

 

And we have the gual to question the election process in places like afghanistan and Zimbabwe

[bridge too far]

I think some Conservative MPs get to vote twice in their leadership elections - the Conservative MPs first vote to produce a short-list of two candidates that is then put to the general membership. So a Conservative MP will vote first to choose the short-list and then to finally choose the MP.

 

Apparently there were moves to change their system in 2005 but this didn't get the support of the Parliamentary Conservative Party:

 

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-01366.pdf

[trousers]

Some good quotes and links in this thread. Like it.

[hypochondriac]

I think the labour leadership process needs to be investigated as the fairness and openess is open to question

 

A labour MP admitted that he got to vote three times instead of just once

 

he got one ballot paper because he was an MP

One becuase he is a union member/ official

and another for being a labour party member

 

Surely he should have been only allowed one vote not three separate ones.

 

And we have the gual to question the election process in places like afghanistan and Zimbabwe

 

Yeah but in fairness Labour could choose pretty much whoever they liked to represent them. They could pick names out of a hat and it wouldn't compromise the election process!

[aintforever]

His face annoys me.

[Verbal]

THis is something else I dont follow in the EM triumph, because benji is right: it oughtnt to matter, but it does. The points against him are that a: he hath a thpeech impediment, b: he looks very dark-skinned, almost Indian, (which most certainly shouldn't mean anything but sadly, in this country, it will at the polls ,) c: wouldn't have won the contest without the union vote, and d: has a brother with more political clout, credibility and experience than he does.

 

Ever heard Churchill speak, or seen pictures of Disraeli? Wouldn't have won without the union vote? That distinguishes him from which Labour leader exactly?

 

Is EM and his appearance really that much of a liability compared to balloon-faced, gossamer-deep Cameron or that toffee-nosed, silver-spooned dumbass Osborne?

[benjii]

I think some Conservative MPs get to vote twice in their leadership elections - the Conservative MPs first vote to produce a short-list of two candidates that is then put to the general membership. So a Conservative MP will vote first to choose the short-list and then to finally choose the MP.

 

Apparently there were moves to change their system in 2005 but this didn't get the support of the Parliamentary Conservative Party:

 

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-01366.pdf

 

Why do you respond to everything with some comment about the Tories? It's tiresome and results in petty point-scoring rubbish.

 

This is about Labour and their gimpy, unelectable new leader FFS.

[benjii]

Ever heard Churchill speak, or seen pictures of Disraeli? Wouldn't have won without the union vote? That distinguishes him from which Labour leader exactly?

 

Is EM and his appearance really that much of a liability compared to balloon-faced, gossamer-deep Cameron or that toffee-nosed, silver-spooned dumbass Osborne?

 

That Dumbass that the IMF is praising to the hilt? That one? That "strong and credible" Dumbass? Him?

 

And Cameron has some real statesmanlike qualities. That's what a good education and upbringing will give you.

[Verbal]

That Dumbass that the IMF is praising to the hilt? That one?

 

And Cameron has some real statesmanlike qualities. That's what a good education and upbringing will give you.

 

Proof, pudding, etc. 'Praising to the hilt' isn't exactly what the IMF said, though, is it - and they themselves hardly have a monopoly on wisdom. Up until last week they were predicting a double dip. What happened in a week?

 

And 'a good education and upbringing = statesmanlike qualities?' I really do find it constantly surprising - though characteristically, subserviently British - that we still doff our caps to them upstairs.

[bridge too far]

Why do you respond to everything with some comment about the Tories? It's tiresome and results in petty point-scoring rubbish.

 

This is about Labour and their gimpy, unelectable new leader FFS.

 

It's me being in my 'hitting my head against a brick wall' mode. If people denigrate one party for an apparent fault, I aim to point out that other parties have their (similar) faults too. It's an attempt to balance the argument. My post simply served to illustrate how other parties elect their leaders. Did you want that information suppressed?

 

I wasn't the one who went off at a tangent about the voting system. I don't think EM is either gimpy or unelectable.

[Verbal]

Why do you respond to everything with some comment about the Tories? It's tiresome and results in petty point-scoring rubbish.

 

This is about Labour and their gimpy, unelectable new leader FFS.

 

Is this intentionally amusing? I do hope so.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Lol if Ed Balls gets shadow chancellor after years as Gordon Browns 'expert' economics advisor. Britain would be well and truly ****ed if he ever gets anywhere near the steering wheel.

[trousers]

Why do you respond to everything with some comment about the Tories? It's tiresome and results in petty point-scoring rubbish.

 

This is about Labour and their gimpy, unelectable new leader FFS.

 

You'll find that (most) Labour voters find it difficult to defend Labour in isolation. Every discussion around defending Labour policy invariably involves dragging the Tories into the equation. (or the 'ConDems' as they now like to humorously rattle off - ho ho)

 

It's a bit like the smoker who defends their habit by using negative comparisons: "Well, more people are killed crossing the road, innit..."

 

(some of the above was tongue-in-cheek and thus warrants a *winky face*)

 

Of course, you'll never catch the Tories doing the same in reverse....

[CB Saint]

It is certainly going to be an interesting time for left wing politics. I am not sure what the Labour party have got with EM. He has distanced himself from New Labour but at the same time he is keen to stress that he isn't the Unions pin up boy. Time will tell.

[Wade Garrett]

What was the split? 49% to 51%? A union recommendation would have to account for at least 2% of the vote, surely. I havent heard anybody else dispute thus far the proposition that Ed won because of the union vote, not even himself.

 

The unions never held a gun to any members head. We had a free vote.

[Wade Garrett]

I see that self-serving slimeball Bob Crow is throwing down the gauntlet to Ed already. Do yourself a big favour Ed, tell him to f*ck off.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11423987

 

Bob, do something for the workers yourself, start by cutting your inflated 6 figure salary.

[trousers]

The unions never held a gun to any members head. We had a free vote.

 

If the unions couldn't / didn't influence anyone's vote, why did they bother phoning their members "up to 37 times" to try and influence them? Bit of a waste of time if people are beyond influence....surely...?

[Wade Garrett]

If the unions couldn't / didn't influence anyone's vote, why did they bother phoning their members "up to 37 times" to try and influence them? Bit of a waste of time if people are beyond influence....surely...?

 

I never got phoned once, and if I did would have told them to mind their own business.

 

Was that from the Daily Mail?

 

It was still a free vote, even if they were asked.

[trousers]

I never got phoned once, and if I did would have told them to mind their own business.

 

Was that from the Daily Mail?

 

It was still a free vote, even if they were asked.

 

No one is disputing that it was a free vote. I'm simply stating that, unlike yourself, a percentage of people are open to persuasion and influence.

 

Not a huge revelation, granted, but observationally accurate nonetheless.

[Weston Saint]

I know nothing about the new Labour leader but I hear today the majority of the Labour MP's did not vote for him, the majority of the Labour Members did not vote for him. It was the Union vote that got him in.

 

Reports from various past offices he has held say that if he can put off a decision he will! As one person put it "Ed drinks Rose Wine as he cannot make p his mind if he likes Red or White"

 

The Unions will soon ask for pay back time. As a Leader of the opposition that is not dangerous. If he ever became PM this country will have real problems. Well they would if he breaks the habit of a lifetime, allegedly, and makes a decision.

[GenevaSaint]

I know nothing about the new Labour leader but I hear today the majority of the Labour MP's did not vote for him, the majority of the Labour Members did not vote for him. It was the Union vote that got him in.

 

I think in fairness Weston, the unions wanted Ed Balls as he's far more left leaning, but then their second votes were for EM. I expect Labour to sit in the centre ground still. In regards to the power of the unions, I didn't see Labour bending over for them before, and I can't see that when they get back into power.

[Verbal]

I know nothing about the new Labour leader but I hear today the majority of the Labour MP's did not vote for him, the majority of the Labour Members did not vote for him. It was the Union vote that got him in.

 

Reports from various past offices he has held say that if he can put off a decision he will! As one person put it "Ed drinks Rose Wine as he cannot make p his mind if he likes Red or White"

 

The Unions will soon ask for pay back time. As a Leader of the opposition that is not dangerous. If he ever became PM this country will have real problems. Well they would if he breaks the habit of a lifetime, allegedly, and makes a decision.

 

By the same token, the majority of people did not vote for Cameron. If ever he becomes PM we will have real problems.

[benjii]

By the same token, the majority of people did not vote for Cameron. If ever he becomes PM we will have real problems.

 

When was the last time the majority of eligible people voted for the PM?

 

Probably never.

[solentstars]

That Dumbass that the IMF is praising to the hilt? That one? That "strong and credible" Dumbass? Him?

 

And Cameron has some real statesmanlike qualities. That's what a good education and upbringing will give you.

 

yes i remember cameron his great leadership "hug a hoodie rubbish:lol:the truth is noone knows who will win the next election .labour have just has much chance of winning has the tories or liberals.

[JackanorySFC]

Watching EM's keynote speech on the Politics show now. His jokes are flat, he's too hesitant and just seems a bit wierd? Not a touch on his big brother's speach yesterday!

[dune]

His jokes are flat, he's too hesitant and just seems a bit wierd?

 

He looks lıke a geek talks lıke a geek and has the personalıty of a geek. Therefore he ıs a geek. Labour MP,s knew he was unelectable, but the Unıons have got theır man.

[dune]

yes i remember cameron his great leadership "hug a hoodie rubbish:lol:the truth is noone knows who will win the next election .labour have just has much chance of winning has the tories or liberals.

 

The bookıes have lengthed Labours odds of wınnıng the next electıon a day or so ago. Why do you thınk that mıght be?

[bridge too far]

yes i remember cameron his great leadership "hug a hoodie rubbish:lol:the truth is noone knows who will win the next election .labour have just has much chance of winning has the tories or liberals.

 

The Labour Party IS ahead in the polls ATM - but I'll concede it's early days

[Wade Garrett]

No one is disputing that it was a free vote. I'm simply stating that, unlike yourself, a percentage of people are open to persuasion and influence.

 

Not a huge revelation, granted, but observationally accurate nonetheless.

 

Your trying to imply that you union have brow-beaten people into voting for Ed. Anyway, I thought the idea of an election was to try and persuade and influence people to vote for you!

 

Labour were no friend of the union while they were in Government, and won' be now. As someone stated earlier, they will occupy the centre-ground and pick up votes from the many disgruntled Liberals.

[bridge too far]

Not bad at all for a first major speech I thought.

 

He'll grow into it, and do very well, I have no doubt.

[Verbal]

When was the last time the majority of eligible people voted for the PM?

 

Probably never.

 

Which was rather rather my point, re: minority of Labour MPs, etc etc. Democracy is and always will be deficient in some way - not that that's a reason for complacency.

[solentstars]

was impressed by him and what he had to say and it looks like he is reaching out to the independent voters in the country who win elections in the country in the swing seats.

i,m glad to see the back of blairs tories.

[solentstars]

He looks lıke a geek talks lıke a geek and has the personalıty of a geek. Therefore he ıs a geek. Labour MP,s knew he was unelectable, but the Unıons have got theır man.

 

so is bill gates and what did he achieve:rolleyes:

[Verbal]

Not bad at all for a first major speech I thought.

 

He'll grow into it, and do very well, I have no doubt.

 

I'd agree with that. The harm done by the massively escalating wealth gap was a point well made, and needs to be addressed urgently, unless Britain is to slump mindlessly into a kind of East-European low-wage economy with all the economic downshifting that that entails for everyone but the super-rich Marie Antoinettes. It does, though, mean that EM will have to abandon not just the name but all the corrosive neoliberal policies of New Labour.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

The bookıes have lengthed Labours odds of wınnıng the next electıon a day or so ago. Why do you thınk that mıght be?

 

Labour ahead already in one of the polls...

Edited 28 September, 2010 by Thorpe-le-Saint

[Lord Duckhunter]

Lol if Ed Balls gets shadow chancellor after years as Gordon Browns 'expert' economics advisor. Britain would be well and truly ****ed if he ever gets anywhere near the steering wheel.

 

Red Ed was also a close confident of Gordon Brown's and Gordon promoted him to Chairman of The Treasury's Council of Economic Advisers.

 

So he was giving Gordon plenty of "Economic advice", not forgetting he was the man who in the main wrote the last manifesto.

[sperm_john]

As a conversative and someone who thinks the coalition are doing sensible things to get this country back on track socially and economically, i'm pleased that ed miliband was chosen to be labour party leader, he's got as much chance of being prime minister as ian duncan smith had, he just doesnt look right for the job, he may speak the occasional bit of sense, but if people were saying cameron looked smarmy ...well this guy just looks gormless, so as a conservative its a brilliant result... last thing we need is labour getting back in power any quicker than they were, God help this country if they are in charge again any time soon with their spend spend spend, give give give benefit culture

[scotty]

As a conversative and someone who thinks the coalition are doing sensible things to get this country back on track socially and economically, i'm pleased that ed miliband was chosen to be labour party leader, he's got as much chance of being prime minister as ian duncan smith had, he just doesnt look right for the job, he may speak the occasional bit of sense, but if people were saying cameron looked smarmy ...well this guy just looks gormless, so as a conservative its a brilliant result... last thing we need is labour getting back in power any quicker than they were, God help this country if they are in charge again any time soon with their spend spend spend, give give give benefit culture

 

get off the fence

[dune]

Labour ahead already in one of the polls...

 

The more people see of Ed Mıllıband the more they wıll dıslıke hım. He has no charısma or personalıty and ıs basıcally just a geek. Image ıs everythıng ın polıtıcs.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

The more people see of Ed Mıllıband the more they wıll dıslıke hım. He has no charısma or personalıty and ıs basıcally just a geek. Image ıs everythıng ın polıtıcs.

 

All style, no substance...sounds like your mate Clegg

 

May I also point out that 'Dave' went to Eton, if that doesn't make him a 'geek' I don't know what does. Furthermore, if image is everything, how in God's name did Johnson get elected as London Mayor?!

[JackFrost]

All style, no substance...sounds like your mate Clegg

 

May I also point out that 'Dave' went to Eton, if that doesn't make him a 'geek' I don't know what does. Furthermore, if image is everything, how in God's name did Johnson get elected as London Mayor?!

 

Because Boris portrays himself as a joke and half his votes came from people who voted for him 'for a laugh'

 

As for Ed Miliband, not convinced by him at all during this conference. To me he seems like a poor man's David Cameron. He's a better bet for Labour than his brother or Ed Balls, but the opinion poll will always do them a lot of favours at the moment. Give him a year and his popularity will be a lot lower I suspect.

[benjii]

All style, no substance...sounds like your mate Clegg

 

May I also point out that 'Dave' went to Eton, if that doesn't make him a 'geek' I don't know what does. Furthermore, if image is everything, how in God's name did Johnson get elected as London Mayor?!

 

you clueless tool.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

you clueless tool.

 

No you plum, I understand that going to Eton doesn't automatically make you a geek, I just thought it was rich that Ed Milliband is being labelled a geek for his bloody appearance, whereas out great and glorious leader is excused any 'name calling' for his academic past or where he comes from. 'Trendy Dave' is a geek in middle class clothing. I bet he LOVES Star Trek and all that.

 

Next time, I'll just leave you tax avoiding Tory Boys to it to destroy the one chink of Labour light on the forum compared to the numerous threads on the Geography teacher and the tea boy.

Edited 28 September, 2010 by Thorpe-le-Saint

[bridge too far]

Apparently, this afternoon alone, one new member joined the Labour Party every minute!

 

What is a geek?

[Nolan]

The problem with Ed Miliband is his history. Can he really distance him self that much from the previous regime when he wrote the 2010 part manifesto. With his previously held jobs as special advisor at the Treasury, and chairman of HM Treasury's Council of Economic Advisers, just how responsible is he for the financial mess that the Labour government left us with?

 

Apparently, this afternoon alone, one new member joined the Labour Party every minute!

 

why does the phrase "one born every minute" spring to mind?

[Verbal]

What is a geek?

 

Ask Benjii. He's the expert apparently - but it seems in his cap-doffing universe to exclude anyone from the traditional breeding grounds of our glorious rulers.