It's been nearly four months now since I launched my campaign for Labour's future. One of the main ways that I have tried to communicate with you is through this blog - by letting you know what I'm up to as well as explaining what I'm standing for. I've been absolutely overwhelmed by your response. Since the website was launched in July, there have been nearly half a million hits. I've been absolutely overwhelmed by thousands of your emails of support. I want to thank all those who've written to me - and I look forward to meeting many of you on the campaign trail over the coming months.
I've also been fascinated by the debates that have taken place on the blog over the main issues of the day. In order to allow the debate to flow better, I'm turning off the moderation of comments for now. That means that your contributions will instantly appear without having to wait for approval. This is a trial run - but I hope that we will see even more debate conducted in a friendly spirit over the issues that matter to you.
22 Comments:
Congratulations. Now you just need to get more media coverage. I have barely seen you mentioned in the mainstream media. What about some more press stunts to get you on the air waves?
don't think John would be up for "press stunts" - but must say am infuriated at media assumption Brown will now be "crowned." That will be terible for democracy and terrible for the Labour Party. Lobby your MP now !
Ive seen John appear in the media on several occasions, The Daily Politics on the BBC are filming a diary of the campaign I believe and I've seen him recently on Newsnight and Andrew Marr's Sunday AM show.
John is getting his policies across in the mainstream media without having to resort to leotards or cat impersonations!
Susan,
I get the feeling that the media "assumption" is just a Nick Robinson tactic to force a response from anti-Brownites to come out of the closet.
Maybe - but It would be really good if more MPs would go public in support of this campaign - I'm SO tired of New Labour's illiberal, authoritarian stance. Also time the unions followed up their conference calls for an end to Blairism. But let's not lose heart....... those of us who have stuck with Labour throughout all the horors of the past few years are in it for the long haul.
I think it's wonderful you turned off moderation- the internet is the freest forum in the world, and that should be harnessed. A forum/message board could be good too!
THIS WAS ON BBC WEBSITE TODAY:
JOIN THE PARTY NOW!
Labour has begun a new recruitment drive, offering all new members the chance to vote on Tony Blair's successor as party leader.
Usually only those who have been members for at least a few weeks can take part in a ballot - but the party is waiving the rule.
Labour general secretary Peter Watt said it was an "important opportunity" to engage with more voters
Mr Blair and his deputy John Prescott will step down before next autumn.
Code of conduct
The party's governing body, the NEC, also laid out a code of conduct for candidates for the post.
It says ministers who run for the leadership must not let it get in the way of their government responsibilities, and bans them from "disparaging" rivals or using "financial inducements" to win support.
This will be the first time in history the party as a whole will be electing a new leadership team while in government
Peter Watt
Labour general secretary
The party's general secretary Peter Watt said: "We recognise first and foremost that the British people come first.
"This will be the first time in history the party as a whole will be electing a new leadership team while in government.
"Our primary duty is to the country and we respect the responsibility and privilege which will be placed in our hands."
Labour's membership has fallen from 248,294 in 2002 to 198,026 at the end of 2005 - its website is running a "Join us, join in" campaign.
'Starting gun fired'
Chancellor Gordon Brown is widely seen as the favourite to succeed Mr Blair.
So far, only left-wing MP John McDonnell has said he plans to stand in any contest.
Candidates for the deputy leadership have been more forthcoming, with Hilary Benn, John Cruddas, Peter Hain and Harriet Harman declaring their intention to run.
Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude said the government was "more concerned" with "shunting Tony Blair off" than about dealing with the country's problems.
"The starting gun has fired, the rules are agreed, but the prime minister can't even give us the date he's going," he added.
It's just occurred to me that standing for the deputy leadership post, allows all the aforementioned candidates to set out their shop as leader without actually saying as much.
So shall we deem the statements from Hilary & co as other leadership bids?
john was supperb at the Hands Off Venezuela conference on Saturday, watch the video of his speech here: http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/john_mcdonnell_hov_conference.htm
Rumours at http://reclaimlabour.blogspot.com/ that Meacher is planning to run. This would be one of the stupidest things I've heard since he claimed that Bush et al were responsible for 9/11.
The left should never, ever forgive him if he ruins the one hope we have in this generation of a principled left wing Labour leader.
John,
If you're not already aware of this, Meacher is planning to stand tomorrow in order to wreck your campaign.
See: http://reclaimlabour.blogspot.com/
I am urging everyone to write to meacherm@parliament.uk and let them know they think about this!
Best wishes,
Harry Perkins
Bushwhacked!
and Rumsfeld gone.
Let's hope the change to Democrats in American inspires change of the right sort here...!
Amother world is possible and we know it can be done.
Miliband must be living in cloud cuckoo land as Environment Minister as he believes we can save the environment and reduce our carbon usage in other ways while still flying at the rate we do now which I think he said on Sunday is actually set to triple!
The left can find a better informed candidate than him for the post when John gets in!
I just heard Hillary Benn referred to as "the candidate who hopes to succeed John Prescott as Deputy Leader" on BBC Parliament's The Record, it was referring to him calling for a ban on cluster bombs which is great but the left has been saying this for years, but there was no mention of any other candidate. Of course there wouldn't be mentions of other cnadidates in The Record as it's a Parliamentary report but it did sound rather authoritative as if Hillary Benn was the only candidate. It would have been easy for the casual observer to believe this without considering from what tyoe of source they were hearing it I think. as it is the offcial channel for Parlaimentary news but of course people don't always seaprate this in their minds form party politics as Cameron recently demonstrated when he had his altercation with Commons Speaker Michale Martin
Rumsfeld resigns, but of course the troops will have to stay in until Bush steps down. This means that, having taken what they wanted in terms of fat contracts, the republicans will pull out and leave the whole sorry mess and consequent rise in the price of oil to the democrats to clear up.
And I'm not just talking about the US - we have our own parallels.
Hary - Michael Meacher is NOT going to stand, so I'm told by a v reliable source. But this is precisely the sort of nonsense John's campaign has been trying to avoid. Let's concentrate on positives. The new rules on voting means we can sign up THOUSANDS of people to support our campaign.Let's get cracking
As a disgruntled former Labour (Real Labour) voter I've been so depressed by the state of the political landscape in westminister with its obsession for the middle class right of centre viewpoint that I feel so much more optimistic after reading about the popularity of this site and your campaign. However, I want to share with you my concern that others here have pointed out that there is barely a mention of you and your campaign on the mainstream media and until the public start to hear about you more and more I feel that it could be a death blow to the campaign.
You need to get out there and constantly harass the media, tell them you are there because I'm sick and fed up of them allways saying that the only person who is likely to lead Labour is Gordon Brown.
Get the gloves off John and fight harder to get rid of the thatcherites that hijacked this great party!
I agree - it is so important to get more media exposure for you. I do support a lot of your policies but you need to be publicised a lot more so others are aware of them/persuaded by them - it seems such a shame to waste this vital opportunity for genuine change.
I liked the idea that debate should be conducted in "a friendly spirit" seeing as the response from the mcDonnell supporters has been very rude towards anyone of a different opinion.
Was at the meeting in Brighton and agreed with everything John said - but did not get to ask the question - What about Electoral Reform ? - surely he cannot support the FPTP system which , as Robin Cook said , is potentially damaging for Labour - and which totally undermines democracy - I do not want the concerns of a tiny minority of the population in marginal seats to be what influences the direction of the party - So let's know what you think John.
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