| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Community group at odds with coalition | |
| Posted by: | Robin Taylor | |
| Date/Time: | 27/11/09 21:52:00 |
| "If I were still working for Labour I would be inclined to work for more effective constituency MP's such as John MacDonnell or Steve Pound." John, Don't worry about John McDonnell - he'll win easily. He's got a huge personal vote, and his status as a rebel helps him to win support beyond his party's natural base. In many ways, it's easier to be a rebel because you can then pick and choose which aspects of your party's agenda you will follow. It's more difficult for a loyalist like Ann Keen, because she takes the stick for the government's unpopular policies. This shows that we do actually need people who are loyal - they help keep things together, and invariably end up going down with the sinking ship. Don't get me wrong - I've got a lot of time for John McDonnell. I worked on his campaign in 1992, and devised two of the leaflets that went out. It was heartbreaking when he failed by just 53 votes to oust the odious Terry Dicks (and if we'd had just a few more people on the ground during polling day - people like Suresh Grover, who owed John so much but never lifted a finger to help the party - he might have squeeked home). But it won't be like that next time - John's a shoe-in. As for Stephen Pound, I'd give him a 50:50 chance. |