Emily Thornberry

MayBee, I saw Andy Burnham at the hustings during the leadership campaign won by Corbyn. IMO Andy Burnham has matured and grown in confidence since then. He was very active here in the Gtr Manchester area during the last election, supporting candidates. He’s an excellent mayor and has consistently said he prefers it to Westminster.
I haven’t been aware of him sniping at the government. The party needs him

Casdon

MayBee70

I don’t understand his popularity to be honest. I think it’s easier to be a popular mayor than an MP. I don’t like the way he snipes at Labour from the sidelines, either.

You’ve missed the major factor if you don’t get it MayBee. He is engaging, and personable. There is no other factor more important when it comes to securing a good public opinion.

But what about his record when he was in government? I must admit to not knowing much about it but if he’d been that great why wasn’t he chosen to be leader? I agree he’s a good communicator but if it came to trusting someone I’d trust Starmer more than him. This is, however, just a gut feeling, although my partner also feels the same way.

MayBee70

I don’t understand his popularity to be honest. I think it’s easier to be a popular mayor than an MP. I don’t like the way he snipes at Labour from the sidelines, either.

You’ve missed the major factor if you don’t get it MayBee. He is engaging, and personable. There is no other factor more important when it comes to securing a good public opinion.

He did stand for leader of the Labour Party twice, against Miliband and against Corbyn,

I don’t understand his popularity to be honest. I think it’s easier to be a popular mayor than an MP. I don’t like the way he snipes at Labour from the sidelines, either.

If Andy Burnham were to stand, which I doubt although I would hope he would, there would be some sweating opposition I think.

Whoever is the leader, it’s not going to affect the deputy leader role though, unless one of the successful candidates stands to be PM?

Andy Burnham for me, but he needs a seat first...

IMO he has presence, proven leadership qualities, an ability to get things done and solid Labour party values.

OTOH, he might just feel that being Manchester Mayor is more fulfilling.

But there are suspicions that his heading of the new 'Mainstream Labour' network is notice of a leadership bid...

David49

So ladies who do you think will make a decent party leader, because if Starmer slips on many more banana skins his job is at risk.

I’d start a new thread David49, it is worthy of one.

I don’t think that they have to have an additional portfolio if you mean that Allira, they are on the cabinet, and usually act as leader of the House of Commons in the PM’s absence.

So ladies who do you think will make a decent party leader, because if Starmer slips on many more banana skins his job is at risk.

Does becoming the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party mean they would automatically be given a Cabinet position if the Labour Party is in Government?

There is a vacancy (unfortunately).

My thoughts too MaizieD, I don’t understand why some seem so get up about who gets it out of the two remaining, because it won’t make a difference.

Sadly, Casdon, I can’t see ether of these women making any difference to the running of the government at all. A more ‘radical’ choice could perhaps done something to bring it to its senses and stop the lurch to the right.

Still, we now have ‘Mainstream Labour’ which might do a similar job.

I'd like to think that a strong, well informed female would make a useful contribution to the cabinet.

What difference do people think the appointment of the deputy leader of the Labour Party is going to make to the running of the government exactly? It seems to me that not everybody is thinking this through before commenting. Neither of the two in contention is a radical after all.

A choice between Bridget Phillipson who is already Education Minister, an extremely demanding role, and Lucy Powell, former leader of the House but recently removed due to her unpleasant comments about the grooming gangs .(incidentally, what has happened the promised investigations?)
Not much of a choice, but it seems as though former misconduct is no barrier to another promotion.
After all, look at Mandelson.

OldFrill

Sarnia

OldFrill

Bridget Phillipson

What??? The woman who blithely ignored SEND children at private specialist schools when the VAT increase hit fees?
Many have had to go back to the mainstream education that failed them in the first place as parents can no longer afford them.
Yes, let's have her!!!

Looks quite likely.

Will the last person to leave the country please turn out the light!

Sarnia

OldFrill

Bridget Phillipson

What??? The woman who blithely ignored SEND children at private specialist schools when the VAT increase hit fees?
Many have had to go back to the mainstream education that failed them in the first place as parents can no longer afford them.
Yes, let's have her!!!

Looks quite likely.

She used to make me turn off the TV whenever she was on Question Time.
It was the drawl of her voice drove me mad…. nothing else, I’m sure she was a very experienced politician I just couldn’t stand to listen to her speak !!

Oreo

I can’t bear ET so glad she’s out.

Me neither Oreo!
Everything about her irritates me!
Especially her wobbling- chins when's she's preaching to us minions.😶

OldFrill

Bridget Phillipson

What??? The woman who blithely ignored SEND children at private specialist schools when the VAT increase hit fees?
Many have had to go back to the mainstream education that failed them in the first place as parents can no longer afford them.
Yes, let's have her!!!

Allira

^I foresee higher taxes imposed on those least able to afford it while wealth gets off scot free, more and more privatisation of the NHS, swingeing austerity and punitive welfare cuts.^

Closet Tories waving a red flag.

Closet tories is not exactly a new idea Progressives have been saying it for a long time.

I was prepared to give Starmer a chance, but everything he's doing seems so wrong. And so not Labour.

I foresee higher taxes imposed on those least able to afford it while wealth gets off scot free, more and more privatisation of the NHS, swingeing austerity and punitive welfare cuts.

Closet Tories waving a red flag.

MaizieD

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Starmer will be very relieved Thornberry is out of the running. Two nice pliable contenders left now, neither of whom will upset the applecart.

Not often I agree with you, FGT but, I agree...

She wasn’t ever in the running though, it was a predictable withdrawal?