Snap General Election called

[Digby]

Do the Union get a 'block vote' at this scale in the leadership election? I'd assumed it was guidance for members who happen to be members of the Labour party?

The Unions do not get a block vote, though I did have in mind the Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch on voting for the/coffee and Abbott's pre-eminent position as the country's authority on numbers

I was just reading the rules for the election, but frankly, and unsurprisingly got a bit bored.

Be interesting to see what happens if the membership goes against the majority PLP ticket of Starmer and Rayner.

I broadly think electing another loon, doing badly for 2-3 more years, and then electing a sensible moderate is the best way back to power. I'm not sure I can recall anyone doing well after 4-5 years in opposition as a single leader

[Banquo]

The Unions do not get a block vote, though I did have in mind the Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch on voting for the/coffee and Abbott's pre-eminent position as the country's authority on numbers

I was just reading the rules for the election, but frankly, and unsurprisingly got a bit bored.

Be interesting to see what happens if the membership goes against the majority PLP ticket of Starmer and Rayner.

I broadly think electing another loon, doing badly for 2-3 more years, and then electing a sensible moderate is the best way back to power. I'm not sure I can recall anyone doing well after 4-5 years in opposition as a single leader

I was more thinking about what the PLP would do if RLB and Burgon, McDonnell dream ticket were voted in. Unlikely though.

As you say Starmer might not benefit from getting in this time round- he's also still quite wedded to the policies in the manifesto from what I read/saw.

[Digby]

I was just reading the rules for the election, but frankly, and unsurprisingly got a bit bored.

Be interesting to see what happens if the membership goes against the majority PLP ticket of Starmer and Rayner.

I broadly think electing another loon, doing badly for 2-3 more years, and then electing a sensible moderate is the best way back to power. I'm not sure I can recall anyone doing well after 4-5 years in opposition as a single leader

I was more thinking about what the PLP would do if RLB and Burgon, McDonnell dream ticket were voted in. Unlikely though.

As you say Starmer might not benefit from getting in this time round- he's also still quite wedded to the policies in the manifesto from what I read/saw.

I expect the PLP to do nothing. If they weren't going to change for Brexit or Corbyn why rock the boat now?

[Banquo]

I broadly think electing another loon, doing badly for 2-3 more years, and then electing a sensible moderate is the best way back to power. I'm not sure I can recall anyone doing well after 4-5 years in opposition as a single leader

I was more thinking about what the PLP would do if RLB and Burgon, McDonnell dream ticket were voted in. Unlikely though.

As you say Starmer might not benefit from getting in this time round- he's also still quite wedded to the policies in the manifesto from what I read/saw.

I expect the PLP to do nothing. If they weren't going to change for Brexit or Corbyn why rock the boat now?

They did try and unseat Corbyn first chance they had. But then gave up.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Do the Union get a 'block vote' at this scale in the leadership election? I'd assumed it was guidance for members who happen to be members of the Labour party?

The Unions do not get a block vote, though I did have in mind the Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch on voting for the/coffee and Abbott's pre-eminent position as the country's authority on numbers

I was just reading the rules for the election, but frankly, and unsurprisingly got a bit bored.

Be interesting to see what happens if the membership goes against the majority PLP ticket of Starmer and Rayner.

They use the instant-runoff voting system, so no block votes, each voter lists the candidates in order of preference, at each round a candidate is removed and their voters' next preference gets their votes until someone reaches 50%.

[Banquo]

The Unions do not get a block vote, though I did have in mind the Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch on voting for the/coffee and Abbott's pre-eminent position as the country's authority on numbers

I was just reading the rules for the election, but frankly, and unsurprisingly got a bit bored.

Be interesting to see what happens if the membership goes against the majority PLP ticket of Starmer and Rayner.

They use the instant-runoff voting system, so no block votes, each voter lists the candidates in order of preference, at each round a candidate is removed and their voters' next preference gets their votes until someone reaches 50%.

Does Unison itself get just one vote then, as a nominator? So their backing is merely ‘informIng’’ their Labour Party members considering voting?

[Son of Mathonwy]

I was just reading the rules for the election, but frankly, and unsurprisingly got a bit bored.

Be interesting to see what happens if the membership goes against the majority PLP ticket of Starmer and Rayner.

They use the instant-runoff voting system, so no block votes, each voter lists the candidates in order of preference, at each round a candidate is removed and their voters' next preference gets their votes until someone reaches 50%.

Does Unison itself get just one vote then, as a nominator? So their backing is merely ‘informIng’’ their Labour Party members considering voting?

Each candidate needs to be nominated by a union or 5% of constituency parties. Beyond that, presumably, Unison will advise its members to vote for its nominated candidate.

[Banquo]

They use the instant-runoff voting system, so no block votes, each voter lists the candidates in order of preference, at each round a candidate is removed and their voters' next preference gets their votes until someone reaches 50%.

Does Unison itself get just one vote then, as a nominator? So their backing is merely ‘informIng’’ their Labour Party members considering voting?

Each candidate needs to be nominated by a union or 5% of constituency parties. Beyond that, presumably, Unison will advise its members to vote for its nominated candidate.

Cheers. Any 'feel' for who will win? Rayner is storming the deputy race with the PLP. Not sure why. other than the lack of visibility of the others or being Burgon.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Does Unison itself get just one vote then, as a nominator? So their backing is merely ‘informIng’’ their Labour Party members considering voting?

Each candidate needs to be nominated by a union or 5% of constituency parties. Beyond that, presumably, Unison will advise its members to vote for its nominated candidate.

Cheers. Any 'feel' for who will win? Rayner is storming the deputy race with the PLP. Not sure why. other than the lack of visibility of the others or being Burgon.

Starmer seems like the favourite from the press, certainly is with betfair...

[Digby]

Can the MEPs nominate candidates this time around?

[Banquo]

Each candidate needs to be nominated by a union or 5% of constituency parties. Beyond that, presumably, Unison will advise its members to vote for its nominated candidate.

Cheers. Any 'feel' for who will win? Rayner is storming the deputy race with the PLP. Not sure why. other than the lack of visibility of the others or being Burgon.

Starmer seems like the favourite from the press, certainly is with betfair...

Who was favourite in 2015?

[fivepointer]

Starmer is ahead with the PLP and the membership (as far as one poll can tell us)

Currently 4 of the contenders - Starmer, RLB, Nandy and Phillips - have enough MP's backing them to go through to the next phase.

Deputy leadership looks to be Rayners, though i wouldnt discount Ian Murray or Dr Rosena Allin-Khan just yet.

Burgon, who really is one of the thickest MP's in the house, is plainly the joke candidate.

[Banquo]

Bit old, but....
https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/ar ... eader-race

[Mellsblue]

Burgon, who really is one of the thickest MP's in the house, is plainly the joke candidate.

The last election was low on quality but he and JRM were bottom of the barrel.

[Banquo]

Burgon, who really is one of the thickest MP's in the house, is plainly the joke candidate.

The last election was low on quality but he and JRM were bottom of the barrel.

Tories had the sense to lock JRMs coffin after the first day. Burgon just kept popping up with something from the thesaurus of stupidity.

[Banquo]

If anyone is interested, the turnout amongst 18-24 year olds has been estimated at 47% by Ipsos-Mori (54% in 2017) For over 65's its c 74% (71%)

[Stom]

If anyone is interested, the turnout amongst 18-24 year olds has been estimated at 47% by Ipsos-Mori (54% in 2017) For over 65's its c 74% (71%)

Poor.

But... I would love to see a breakdown on that with demographics, geographically, etc.

[Mellsblue]

If anyone is interested, the turnout amongst 18-24 year olds has been estimated at 47% by Ipsos-Mori (54% in 2017) For over 65's its c 74% (71%)

Poor.

But... I would love to see a breakdown on that with demographics, geographically, etc.

I haven’t look at this one but normally if you go their website they will have this sort of info.

[Banquo]

If anyone is interested, the turnout amongst 18-24 year olds has been estimated at 47% by Ipsos-Mori (54% in 2017) For over 65's its c 74% (71%)

Poor.

But... I would love to see a breakdown on that with demographics, geographically, etc.

Its all out there, govt website I think.

Here's a link to ipsos
https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/ ... 9-election

[Mellsblue]

[Sandydragon]

Is common sense about to break out in the Labour Party? I’m not entirely sure about Starmer. Is he as committed a socialist as he makes out of is he just trying to win over the membership?

[Stom]

Is common sense about to break out in the Labour Party? I’m not entirely sure about Starmer. Is he as committed a socialist as he makes out of is he just trying to win over the membership?

His history suggests he is very much a humanist. And that's what Labour needs more than idealistic/theoretical socialists.

He's been one of the only politicians I'd trust since his election. He always speaks well, calmly, and with compassion, and his background is very good.

He's exactly what's needed.

I'm not going to comment too strongly on most of the others, except to say that Thornberry should be nowhere near leadership. I wouldn't even have her on the front bench, there are far better politicians out there.

[Mellsblue]

I think Starmer is their best bet but, from the little I’ve seen, I like Nandy. I think RLB or Thornberry, for different reasons, would be disastrous for them.

[Digby]

Thornberry because if she wins their entire voting system is fraudulent on a massive scale?

[Sandydragon]

Is common sense about to break out in the Labour Party? I’m not entirely sure about Starmer. Is he as committed a socialist as he makes out of is he just trying to win over the membership?

His history suggests he is very much a humanist. And that's what Labour needs more than idealistic/theoretical socialists.

He's been one of the only politicians I'd trust since his election. He always speaks well, calmly, and with compassion, and his background is very good.

He's exactly what's needed.

I'm not going to comment too strongly on most of the others, except to say that Thornberry should be nowhere near leadership. I wouldn't even have her on the front bench, there are far better politicians out there.

Completely agree about Thornberry. Not that the Labour front bench was that impressive over the last few years and she was by no means the worst. But still not a top flight politician.