Gordon Brown and leadership statement

[GabbleRatcht]

Does anyone else think this statement is inexplicable:

 

That Gordon Brown will not face a vote if he stands unopposed.

 

A) there would be no one else to vote for and

 

B) if you did have a vote and it was returned as no, what would happen then?

 

Yes, I know this is how dictatorships conduct themselves, but it just seems a stupid statement.

 

And I'm not accusing the Labour Party of Dictatorship.

[DynoDon]

 

And I'm not accusing the Labour Party of Dictatorship.

 

Lord Turnbull, a distinguished former civil servant who was Mr Brown’s permanent secretary for four years and went on to become cabinet secretary did that perfectly well today with his honest comments on the future leader of the Labour party.

 

Earlier Mr Brown was criticised for his a "cynical view of mankind" and behaving with "Stalinist ruthlessness", by ex-Whitehall boss Lord Turnbull.

 

Who would the Labour party membership vote for? hopefully someone to the left like Alan Johnson, which would put Labour to sleep for a long time. There and again Gordon Brown in the polls looks like he'd do the same if he becomes leader.

 

David Milliband maybe but it's past tipping point now after what will be 12/13 years with Labour and people want a change of party governance in England so would it be in his interests to lead and lose? Particularly as Labour may be fatally damaged in Scotland with the SNP coming on strong.

 

Milliband clearly has years more in politics and may have the potential to be a formidable leader first in Opposition and then as PM in the mid-term future.

 

Just go with Brown, be that coronation or by vote and get the defeat at the next election out the way and come back strong.

[GabbleRatcht]

You completly missed my point.

 

If there is only one candidate, why make a statement that there won't be a vote. It makes no sense.

[redrobbo]

I don't know whose made the statement you appear to be quoting Gabbelratcht, but it is self evident that in the absence of a leadership competition, then the sole candidate is elected unopposed.

 

Unless there are sufficient nominations for two or more candidates, then the Labour Party leadership election will not proceed to a vote.

[shoeshine]

It remains rather "scary" that the Governing party is unable to raise anyone of sufficient "character", "individualism", with "b*lls" enough to challenge the current "emperor in waiting" though, isn't it?

 

The "cloning" of sheep in the current administration has worked! Dolly gets the job!

 

John Smith must be turning in his grave, and so must be the founders of the true Labour Party who put people before "self" into their politics so many years ago.

[redrobbo]

It remains rather "scary" that the Governing party is unable to raise anyone of sufficient "character", "individualism", with "b*lls" enough to challenge the current "emperor in waiting" though, isn't it?

 

The "cloning" of sheep in the current administration has worked! Dolly gets the job!

 

John Smith must be turning in his grave, and so must be the founders of the true Labour Party who put people before "self" into their politics so many years ago.

 

It is undoubtedly the case that Gordon Brown is seen as the leader in waiting of the Labour Party. His very stature, and having held one of the top three offices in government for 11 years, means he is eminently qualified to assume the role of Prime Minister.

 

As a member of the Labour Party member, I would hope that there is a leadership competition. There is already more than one declared candidate - but it remains to be seen whether they obtain sufficient nominations when the vacancy occurs. It also remains to be seen whether the six declared candidates for the Deputy Leadership post can obtain the requisite number of nominations.

[shoeshine]

:hihi: :hihi:

 

T'were that I believe you, redrobbo.......

 

 

The Party is transfixed, glassy-eyed, hypnotised, right-wing and populated by "failed" personalities!

 

Sorry pal, but they have presided over a "failed State". You know it, we know it, and when Bliar has gone.........we are entitled to a General Election.

 

The days of a "King" passing power to his next-of-kin, unelected, is long gone......

[DynoDon]

In more bad news for Gordon Brown some of the highest-ranking officials in the country agree with what Lord Turnbull said - he does have a "cynical view of mankind" and has "Stanilist ruthlessness".

 

. Inflation is at its highest for 16 years. People who are mortgaged to the hilt will suffer if there's any more interest rate rises.

 

. The Conservatives have taken a 15 point lead over Labour. The lead just keeps growing. This is before the ceromonial switch with the Sun/Times, Sky News from Labour to the Tories, which is worth an additional 5 points, maybe more. It's not just their readers - it'll bring many waverers/don't knows onside.

 

. The Conservatives are accusing Mr Brown of raising taxes 99 times since he became Chancellor of the Exchequer. It predicts the Chancellor will reach his century today.

 

To mark the milestone, 99 Tory supporters in Gordon Brown masks marched on Westminster holding Budget-style red boxes and a banner reading "99 Stealth Taxes - Where has all the money gone?"

[Tradescanthia]

It is undoubtedly the case that Gordon Brown is seen as the leader in waiting of the Labour Party. His very stature, and having held one of the top three offices in government for 11 years, means he is eminently qualified to assume the role of Prime Minister.

 

As a member of the Labour Party member, I would hope that there is a leadership competition. There is already more than one declared candidate - but it remains to be seen whether they obtain sufficient nominations when the vacancy occurs. It also remains to be seen whether the six declared candidates for the Deputy Leadership post can obtain the requisite number of nominations.

 

If Gordon Brown is the best that Labour can offer us then God Help Labour!!

If the Tories dont win the next election then they can only blame themselves. Personally I dont trust Mr Brown, the man is 'flawed', he has no charisma or likeble traits at all and his record on taxation needs no comment from me.

[redrobbo]

:hihi: :hihi:

 

T'were that I believe you, redrobbo.......

 

 

The Party is transfixed, glassy-eyed, hypnotised, right-wing and populated by "failed" personalities!

 

Sorry pal, but they have presided over a "failed State". You know it, we know it, and when Bliar has gone.........we are entitled to a General Election.

 

The days of a "King" passing power to his next-of-kin, unelected, is long gone......

 

There is never a general election just because a Prime Minister leaves office - that's not the way the British Constitution works.

 

When Wilson resigned as Prime Minister and Callaghan took over, there wasn't a general election. When Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister and Major took over, there wasn't a general election.

 

Indeed, going back to 1963, when Macmillan resigned, Alex Douglas-Home was appointed Prime Minister. He was the last member of the House of Lords to be appointed Prime Minister, and the only Prime Minister to renounce his peerage to leave the House of Lords and contest a by-election to enter the House of Commons. Historically, albeit for a short time, Douglas-Home was the only Prime Minister to belong to neither House of Parliament - and we still didn't have a general election!