O/T - general election 2019

[ragingpup]

Indeed. I recall an election in Rotherham in the 70s when Labour quite rightly made a fuss about the Tory candidate being from Portsmouth, but that's not really the point being made here is it?

The Rother Valley shortlist was imposed upon the constituency party by the National Labour Party, for which read Momentum.

Do you think the shortlist consisted of people who were thought to be best informed on Rother Valley issues, or do you think it possible that it consisted of Momentum members who know all the words to 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn' and can hold the tune?

It's that approach that gave Jared O'Mara to the folk of Sheffield Hallam and will create more Jared's this time round.

I think it quite likely that, like any other parties, they will choose candidates that will support wholeheartedly the Labour manifesto. There is no point putting forward a person who opposes Labour's central ideas is there? All parties follow this process, including the more extreme version of the conservative party who, in fairness and on balance to the above discussion have probably de selected, or had more MPs defect that Labour due to what they perceive as a more extreme party, These are weird, and divisive times in politics but let's not get carried away, as the number of MPs standing down is still quite a bit below the the number who stood down before the last 3 elections.

[wendun]

I think it quite likely that, like any other parties, they will choose candidates that will support wholeheartedly the Labour manifesto. There is no point putting forward a person who opposes Labour's central ideas is there?

There is an obvious danger in this approach of stultifying debate. It's also an odd assertion given that Corbyn opposed the Labour whip 428 times and repeatedly refused to campaign in support of several Labour manifestos. And Wilson was of course chosen before any manifesto has been published.

[CASPER-64-FRANK]

I think it quite likely that, like any other parties, they will choose candidates that will support wholeheartedly the Labour manifesto. There is no point putting forward a person who opposes Labour's central ideas is there? All parties follow this process, including the more extreme version of the conservative party who, in fairness and on balance to the above discussion have probably de selected, or had more MPs defect that Labour due to what they perceive as a more extreme party, These are weird, and divisive times in politics but let's not get carried away, as the number of MPs standing down is still quite a bit below the the number who stood down before the last 3 elections.

A lot of the 50 MP's that have stood down this time are moderates. If they're being replaced by Right Wing / Left Wing where's the centre ground.
Most people I know just want to get on with life, look after their kids / grandkids. A lot couldn't give a ' crap '' about today's Politics or Polititions.

[WanChaiMiller]

If you're aware of Sophie Wilson's involvement over Spearmint Rhino in Sheffield you will see she's an arrogant and unpleasant piece of work. Her Twitter comments are educational and she called Sammy Woodhouse, a Rotherham *** abuse victim, "trashy".

Im not aware. What was her involvement in Spearment Rhino? Interested to know as shes standing area.

[wendun]

Im not aware. What was her involvement in Spearment Rhino? Interested to know as shes standing area.

Hi WanChai, read the articles by feminist writers like Julie Bindell and Janice Turner. Basically Wilson opposed moves to close the lap dancing club.

[CASPER-64-FRANK]

The days of your MP being local and from an industrial background are long gone. ( more's the pity )
Demographics have changed dramatically over a long period of time. Heavy industry near enough gone, Mining, Steel Industry reduced, Manufacturing and Engineering shrunk.

My gripe with ALL MP's is they should ' engage their brain ' and give some thought what they're going to say.

[KerrAvon]

@ Raging

Again, whether deliberately or not, you are missing the point.

Surely, constituency Labour Party members are best placed to have a clear understanding of the issues being faced by a constuency? On that basis alone, shouldn't a constituency party have the right to make their selection of a Labour candidate as opposed to be given a list of Momentum approved clones?

On the face of it, the Islington Labour constituency repeatedly put forward a candidate that did not support the core policies of the supposedly 'Tory-lite' Blair manifestoes when they selected Corbyn. Were they wrong to do that?

[ragingpup]

@ Raging

Again, whether deliberately or not, you are missing the point.

Surely, constituency Labour Party members are best placed to have a clear understanding of the issues being faced by a constuency? On that basis alone, shouldn't a constituency party have the right to make their selection of a Labour candidate as opposed to be given a list of Momentum approved clones?

On the face of it, the Islington Labour constituency repeatedly put forward a candidate that did not support the core policies of the supposedly 'Tory-lite' Blair manifestoes when they selected Corbyn. Were they wrong to do that?

I agree with that Kerr. And happy to learn from this, but how does Labour's selection of constituency candidates differ from the Conservatives or Lib Dems? Given that under 50% of MPs from all parties are not from their constituency, how is it different here for Labour?

I agree with the broad thrust of what you and Frank are saying in that I think that both major parties should have room for centre ground voices as part of their decision making. I hope also that the manifesto hones the better ideas Labour (50% high rate tax is no different to Miliband in 2015), that any rise in Corporation tax is kept fully competitive with other countries, that we use a shares for workers scheme solely as a boost for company workers leaving out the treasury boost, that we don't plan to forcibly repossess public schools etc. I still think that the moderate voices are there in the party, as there are in the Tory party and that this will still avoid extreme policies (such as No Deal, tax cuts for high earners, corporation tax cuts as well as the Labour more extreme policy ideas of recent times).

[KerrAvon]

I agree with that Kerr. And happy to learn from this, but how does Labour's selection of constituency candidates differ from the Conservatives or Lib Dems? Given that under 50% of MPs from all parties are not from their constituency, how is it different here for Labour?

I agree with the broad thrust of what you and Frank are saying in that I think that both major parties should have room for centre ground voices as part of their decision making. I hope also that the manifesto hones the better ideas Labour (50% high rate tax is no different to Miliband in 2015), that any rise in Corporation tax is kept fully competitive with other countries, that we use a shares for workers scheme solely as a boost for company workers leaving out the treasury boost, that we don't plan to forcibly repossess public schools etc. I still think that the moderate voices are there in the party, as there are in the Tory party and that this will still avoid extreme policies (such as No Deal, tax cuts for high earners, corporation tax cuts as well as the Labour more extreme policy ideas of recent times).

Whether you are happy to learn from the imposition of a centrally imposed candidates in Rother Valley is irrelevant, It is the party that you represent and campaign for that needs to do so. Rother Valley is just one of many constituencies where it will happen. Similarly it is irrelevant if you think that your party should have room for centre ground, if your party doesn’t.

[KerrAvon]

I think that is spot on, Frank. Labour is losing moderate MPs and members in favour of the hard left who will toe the Momentum line, whilst the Tories have been stripped of many remainers and soft Brexiteers.

I'm not sure that polarisation of that type is good for anyone.