Monthly Archives: September 2010

How well do you think you know the PLP? Between now and October 7th, the memebers of the Parliamentary Labour Party will be choosing Labour’s top team from a smorgasbord of shadow cabinet aspirants. Their only restriction is that each … Continued

I’m someone who supported the Iraq war, still believes that overthrowing a murderous genocidal dictator was a noble cause and is in general a supporter of the principles of intervention, or as it used to be called  “nation-building”. So it’s … Continued

So now we know – The torch is being past to a new generation of optimists, who will bring the wind of change to Labour. Kennedy, with a hint of Obama, by way of Macmillan. Not bad rhetorical reference points. … Continued

Labour Conference will give Ed Miliband a rapturous reception today.  There are three reasons for this. Least importantly, Whether you voted for Ed or not, he is an attractive, decent guy. The leadership campaign might have been bruising for the … Continued

Conference 2010 is a tale of two races. Front and centre is the aftermath of the leadership election, while lurking behind it is the Shadow Cabinet election to be held on October 7th. The new rules – six women, six … Continued

This morning I sat in the Conference hall and watched David Miliband receive a rapturous reception for his speech. It’s easy to leap into a sort of mind meld cod “knowledge” of what that applause signified. Did it mean that … Continued

The Labour Party moves fast. Today, nominations for positions on Labour’s shadow cabinet opened. There are 19 positions up for grabs (the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chief Whip, Lords Leader and PLP chair and two others are automatic)  and MPs will … Continued

Well, wow.. That was pretty exciting… Congratulations to Ed Miliband and his campaign team. An outstanding result which is based on the votes of tens of thousands of  Labour’s supporters. If we called it a “Labour supporter’s primary”, not the … Continued

I am here at conference, sitting in the (vast) press area. It is one hour until the next leader of the Labour party is announced. There is nothing to do but observe. For those that are interested, the press room … Continued

I know I need a lot more of all three of those Before I ever have the nerve to turn up my nose At any money, compliments, and publicity Todd Snider, The Excitement Plan As I write this, I’m on … Continued