Will Meacher supporters back McDonnell?
This from the Evening Standard: Gordon Brown looks set to be unopposed this week after an admission from Labour’s Left-wing that MPs are failing to unite behind sole rival John McDonnell. A senior source close to Michael Meacher, the former minister who has dropped out, said his supporters were refusing to cross to the McDonnell [...]
John McDonnell: results and prospects
With the withdrawal of Michael Meacher from the Labour leadership contest, the field is finally clear for the John McDonnell campaign. As ever when launching into an exercise like this, it’s always good to start with a realistic assessment of the likely results and prospects. First, what are the chances of McDonnell actually getting his [...]
Labour leadership: McDonnell ‘about to declare’
If the leaks are anything to go by, McDonnell is about to be confirmed as the left’s Labour leadership contender. But I won’t be able to post a comment immediately, as I have to pick Daddy’s Little Princesses up from school. Please talk among yourselves. Meanwhile, here’s today’s press release: CALLING NOTICE…………….CALLING NOTICE…………….CALLING NOTICE………………CALLING NOTICE [...]
Jon Cruddas, the unions and the Labour deputy leadership
For some time, I’ve been umming and ahhing over whether or not to back Jon Cruddas – pictured – for the Labour deputy leadership job. But let’s face facts. No contender further to the left has emerged. And despite his wish to reduce the union block vote at party conference, it’s quite clear that the [...]
Gordon Brown and the new seriousness
Seriousness is the new black. Or, if not, at least it is the new Brown. It is one of the key themes that Gordon – pictured left – wants to stress, in a Labour leadership contest where the outcome is about as much in doubt as the next general election in Singapore. Evidence? Well, there’s [...]
McDonnell: lower nominations threshold
Yet another McDonnell press release, this time – perhaps significantly? – calling for the threshold for nominations to be lowered: PRESS NOTICE…………….PRESS NOTICE DATE For immediate release MCDONNELL ACCEPTS BROWN’S OFFER OF DEBATE AT FABIAN SOCIETY CONFERENCE John McDonnell said: “I welcome Gordon’s offer to debate the party’s future direction and shall be participating. It [...]
McDonnell/Meacher: no decision today
What on earth is going on? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McDonnell and Meacher Campaign Update . . . Press Conference postponed As agreed, the campaign teams for Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have met to assess the level of support for each candidate. The outcome is that the issue is too close to call at the [...]
McDonnell/Meacher: joint press release
This press release in my in box this morning: JOINT LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN PRESS CONFERENCE ON BEHALF OF JOHN MCDONNELL MP AND MICHAEL MEACHER MP 4.00 pm THURSDAY 10TH MAY Macmillan Room Portcullis House TO ANNOUNCE WHICH CANDIDATE HAS MOST PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT AND WILL BE CONTINUING WITH THEIR CHALLENGE FOR THE LABOUR PARTY [...]
Oliver Letwin versus historical materialism
Reveling in their reputation as the Stupid Party, the Tories normally do not ‘do’ political theory. Especially not the theory of the state, usually a Marxist preserve. But Oliver Letwin (pictured) – irreverently dubbed Oliver Leftwing by sounder colleagues – is a brainy type of chap. And as the Conservatives’s policy review director, he is [...]
Bolivarian bourse
Thinking of including Venezuela in your emerging markets portfolio? After all, the Caracas IBC index was one of the best performers the developing world last year, with a 156% rise in local currency terms. Well, think twice: Venezuela’s stock market lost almost a third of its value yesterday after two of its largest, most liquid [...]
