Long-Expected Announcement of Meacher Changes Nothing
I have just released the following press statement regarding Michael Meacher's announcement today that he is attempting to stand for Labour leader:
"We have been expecting Michael's announcement for over 9 months. It doesn't change things.
"It is clear that there should be an election for the leader of the Labour Party based upon a choice of policies not personalities. Michael's announcement doesn't change that choice.
"Labour Party members will still have the same choice between my record of voting against the war in Iraq, voting against tuition fees, voting against privatisation of our public services and cuts in benefits and the record of those ministers and former ministers like Gordon Brown and Michael Meacher, who have consistently voted for these policies.
"Virtually every rank and file organisation representing the active membership of the left of the Labour Party and the Trade Unions are publicly supporting my campaign and indeed ASLEF as the 1st union to nominate has unanimously nominated me. Our campaign on the stomp throughout the country is resulting in large numbers of people joining and rejoining the party and at long last young people are enthused by the prospect of a socialist challenge for the leadership.
"We now have about half the MP nominations required, with another 15 - 20 MPs who will support on the basis of a contest not a coronation. That leaves about 5 - 10 votes to fight for.
"I have asked Michael to come on board with our campaign but he's chosen to go his own way. Now let's have the debate on policies and the election and let the members decide."
The organisations that have so far committed to backing the campaign include: Aslef, T&G Broad Left, Amicus Unity Gazette, CWU Broad Left, Unison Broad Left, Scottish Labour Party Campaign for Socialism, Welsh Labour Grassroots, Labour Representation Committee, FBU and the RMT - as well as CLPs and trade union branches across the country.
We are also expecting nominations from other Labour party organisations in the coming weeks.
I want to thank everyone for their continued support for this campaign.
"We have been expecting Michael's announcement for over 9 months. It doesn't change things.
"It is clear that there should be an election for the leader of the Labour Party based upon a choice of policies not personalities. Michael's announcement doesn't change that choice.
"Labour Party members will still have the same choice between my record of voting against the war in Iraq, voting against tuition fees, voting against privatisation of our public services and cuts in benefits and the record of those ministers and former ministers like Gordon Brown and Michael Meacher, who have consistently voted for these policies.
"Virtually every rank and file organisation representing the active membership of the left of the Labour Party and the Trade Unions are publicly supporting my campaign and indeed ASLEF as the 1st union to nominate has unanimously nominated me. Our campaign on the stomp throughout the country is resulting in large numbers of people joining and rejoining the party and at long last young people are enthused by the prospect of a socialist challenge for the leadership.
"We now have about half the MP nominations required, with another 15 - 20 MPs who will support on the basis of a contest not a coronation. That leaves about 5 - 10 votes to fight for.
"I have asked Michael to come on board with our campaign but he's chosen to go his own way. Now let's have the debate on policies and the election and let the members decide."
The organisations that have so far committed to backing the campaign include: Aslef, T&G Broad Left, Amicus Unity Gazette, CWU Broad Left, Unison Broad Left, Scottish Labour Party Campaign for Socialism, Welsh Labour Grassroots, Labour Representation Committee, FBU and the RMT - as well as CLPs and trade union branches across the country.
We are also expecting nominations from other Labour party organisations in the coming weeks.
I want to thank everyone for their continued support for this campaign.
posted by John at 11:50 AM
36 Comments:
Heavens... Where next for the left?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6385285.stm
But Labour MP Stephen Pound said Mr Meacher was a "faintly ridiculous" figure, adding he would be surprised if the veteran left-winger managed to get the required support.
Contest not coronation
"It's a pity because, frankly, he's going to get humiliated," said the Ealing North MP.
"I suspect he knows that, if he put his ego to one side a bit he would realise that.
"Michael Meacher is a major figure on the British political scene, yet the majority of people I have spoken to, who came into Parliament in the last six or seven years, just said: 'Who?' They didn't know who he was."
Meacher is wrong.
But - next time the left really must find a way of chosing a candidate through a democratic forum.
Otherwise there is bound to be a clash of egos. Mosy people don't become MPs without an ego.
Alan Simpson's behaviour - split the parliamentary left and then bail - is a disgrace.
He must be suffering from stress.
So now the votes are split, is there a terrible possibility that neither will be nominated?
What a nitwit Meacher is, he must have something personal against John surely to want to split the vote like this? I think John's incredibly slim chance of getting on the ballot paper has just been reduced to nothing. Well done Michael.
Ha ha ha, ya muppet!
You're gonna get buggered. The far-Left is finished. Forever.
The good guys always end up winning. Those who believe in freedom of speech will always trump those who cuddle up to dictators.
Here's a comment from one of the MPs at Meacher's launch:
"Any candidate needs the support of 44 Labour lawmakers. While Meacher said he was confident he would get this, the lawmaker who chaired his campaign launch, Ian Gibson, told reporters afterwards he wasn't necessarily going to back him.
``Not at all,'' Gibson said. ``He asked some people, `Do you respect my right to run?' Of course I'll back his right to run. That doesn't mean I'll vote for him.''"
I don't want to add to all this ridiculous talk of "now we can have and intellectual debate" and so on that I've been hearing through today's media but John can give both Meacher and Brown a run for their money on that score anyway; it's just that he can speak in layman's language as well.
What better candidate could there be??
Let's hope today's news is a blessing in disguise in that we really must get an election now or we will be the laughing stock of the other world's democracies!!
Or we could always organise a sit-in round No 10 until we get an election!! Maybe some big GLC styler banners in promninent places saying "Election Now" or some much better slogan might do the trick and catch the cameras....
No wonder Meacher needs all those properties to help with his money worries.
http://almax.wordpress.com/tag/politics/michael-meacher/
Carry on John, as a member of both the Labour Party and UNISON you have my continued support. Meacher and Simpson should be ashamed of themsleves for being so treacherous!
I think this news should make us all redouble efforts.
John's campaign is real Labour and is exciting and dynamic - he is speaking with the voice of many ordinary people - almost unique in modern British politics.
Lets make it clear what is special about this campaign, and get this into the mainstream media.
Meacher? Centre-left sideshow for the media to lampoon!
Hilariously, Ian Gibson MP (who chaired Meacher's press conference) is going round telling journalists that he only chaired the meeting as a conference because Alan Simpson ducked out at the last minute - and that he's backing John McDonnell all the way...
Ian Gibson also told tonight's Evening Standard,
"He's got a lot of houses and some people won't like that,"
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23386491-details/Meacher's%20challenge%20to%20Brown%20is%20marred%20by%20farce/article.do
John, I may not of decided on the leadership but I would vote for you over Meacher any day!
I'm really disappointed that Michael Meacher has made this anouncement - I had hoped that he had decided against it. I think everyone should remind Michael Meacher (and potential supporters) of all those groups that have enthusiastically backed John and urge him to stand down.
Duncan,
Here's just one example:
http://tradeunionists4john.blogspot.com/2007/02/tgwu-broad-left-backs-john.html
The fact that he had two MPs at his launch and one isn't backing him says a lot about his support in all three sections if you ask me.
Anthony
Harry Barnes calls him: "The Poor Man's Clare Short" - I'm sure this is to insinuate Michael is a berk rather than an alcoholic!
It is a bad move by Meacher, but Johns campaign is getting a dynamic all of its own,I agree with others on here: it has the feel of a genuine grass roots effort and its a long time since anyone in any party has achieved that! Imo, thats why there has largely been a media blackout, they (the media) don't like change from the bottom as it were.
oh, and its stimulated this blog,
do carry on posting, the comments have been too quiet
I think Michael Meacher is basically decent - but as John says Meacher's voting record shows poor judgement on many issues (not least Iraq) and not enough difference between him and Brown to make him a credible candidate to stand against Brown.
For that reason I think John's right - Michael's decision to stand won't make a big difference -John McDonnell is still by far the most credible candidate. It might be a mistake to attack Michael's decision too harshly - his supporters might well decide to back John in future if the recriminations are kept to a minimum.
I must say I agree with the other Duncan about that, disappointed though I am about today's anouncement.
Ian Gibson, the Trojan Horse! Well, Meacher has given us some oxygen thanks to his vanity project. Let's get out there and get the nominations.
Trojan horse for who:
"Dr Gibson said he had chaired the event because he had been asked to - only a few hours beforehand - and “because I respect his right to stand”. But he emphasised that “I have always been a Brownite”, and added that he didn't know anyone who was going to back Mr Meacher.
The Norwich MP also said that some people in the Labour Party would be unhappy about Mr Meacher's ownership of “a lot of homes”."
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED22%20Feb%202007%2017%3A42%3A57%3A153
If Meacher is as close to Brown as we think, then there's no problem and nothing changes.
He's not going to get nominations that rightly belong to Brown, is he?
He's probably been encouraged by someone with ulterior motives. Beware of flatterers Michael, they may just be using you.
Just watched Meacher launch on Newsnight. Will not give me sleepless night. John's campaign was described as "more credible." and that's clearly true.I voted for Michael in 1983 as deputy Leader and he's done some good stuff. But he is not, whaetever his website says, "Labour's Future." Have had e-mails already pledging redoubled efforts for our campaign.
I don't understand why people want Meacher to stand down. Just because McDonnell announced his candidacy first doesn't detract from the fact that the nobody outside the party has ever heard of him. Isn't it rather time for McDonnell to pledge his support for Meacher - a statesman of the left who has experience of government and more support and recognition within and outside the party.
Oh look, Meacher's campaign team have popped up! Shouldn't you be focusing on generating random made up names for your blog entry about "supporters"?
As Stephen Pound said, no-one has even heard of Meacher these days. Ian Gibson - the MP who chaired Meacher's press conference - has gone round saying that he's not backing Meacher and slagged him off for owning so many homes. His appearance on Newsnight was car crash TV at its very worst. Frankly I'm always disgusted to see pensioners being abused in this fashion. However, he's done the McDonnell campaign a real favour - now Meacher is the lunatic/9-11 conspiracy theorist/multiple home owner/hypocrite left ticket - the McDonnell campaign is the sane left alternative.
As for "ministerial experience" - bandying that around is just a constant reminder that Meacher voted for the Iraq war etc etc - hardly what the left want to hear, is it? Statesman of the left my arse - Judas of the left more like.
The Independent ran a couple of weeks ago claiming that Brown much preferred to "crush Meacher" than McDonnell. This theory was given further credence when Tom Watson (one of Brown's right-hand men who launched last September's Brownite coup) used his blog to claim Meacher had more support the morning before he'd even announced.
Meacher should stop embarrassing himself (and the left with him) - and back a candidate who actually has grassroots support.
John,
I joined the Party many years ago because I was sodding furious about what the Tories were doing and I'm still angry today. Too many people in the Party believe the defintion of victory is when they get a job rather than changing society for the better.
Other candidates can speak for themselves I'm sure so I have nothing to say on that front.
Your campaign speaks volumes for all of us who want to see a better world. You have my full support.
New Labour Deputy Leadership candidate, Michael Meacher MP, and his wife have a property empire worth £2 million consisting of nine properties…..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,,425373,00.html
See also: They Work For You ….
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/michael_meacher/oldham_west_and_royton#register
All this, when millions of people cannot afford one home.
'Comrade' Meacher is just another bourgeois politician.
John Smithee
Cambridgeshire
I think I've found his motivation - if Michael gets to be PM he'll have another two properties (No10 and Chequers) to add to his portfolio!
We need a Socilalist candidate for the millions and not the millionaires. Thas why im backing John Mc Donnell.
I also hope he plans to do something about the loans that big business give out to those who are poor, then create massive debts when the person cannot repay.
there are just so many reasons i feel trhat we need John.
- poverty.
- greed.
-exploitation
- unhappiness.
scrap mega casionos
scrap trident.
scrap companies exploiting people with massive loans.
scrap poverty wages.
put care and not profit first in the NHS
Simon, I think you might be right:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=438146&in_page_id=1770
8 homes worth £5m - what a disgrace this Meacher is!
I think our campaign has emerged a lot stronger from recent events. Nonetheless, I don't think we should underestimate the role played by Brownites in this whole affair:
http://socialistyouthnetwork.blogspot.com/
I don't doubt for a minute that John has the most grassroots support but to become Prime Minister and win the next election he needs the support of the vast majority of people whether they (or any os us) see them as middle or working class. It might be better to avoid talking about 'bourgeois' as this will give many of them the impression you also mean many of them. The billionaires like Murdoch , Berlusconi and Mittal are our real opponents and we need to unite everyone against them - not fight among ourselves. Meacher is neither a credible candidate nor the real enemy. He shares most of John's policy positions even if he didnt have the judgement to vote against the Iraq war or owns several properties.
John's past comments about the IRA (which i noticed Brown's and Milliband's supporters are starting to dredge up) are a far bigger problem than Meacher's candidacy. It's not my place to say what should be done about it but perhaps an apology and a statement that he regretted saying these things would kill that line of attack off?
It could also be combined with a condemnation of Brown's (and Milliband's) support for the Iraq war which is resulting in the death of British troops and Iraqi civilians right now - not to mention their support for PFI which is resulting in higher taxes for cut public services for everyone except the billionaires (who mostly avoid tax by using offshore havens). That would turn a weakness into a strength since Brown and Milliband won't disown the Iraq war or call for an immediate withdrawal.
This is ridiculous... what was the BBC thinking when it wrote this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6385603.stm
It claims that "7 (or more) homes" Meacher would enjoy the support of "the relatively small group of left-wing Labour MPs with a stronger showing among trade unionists and, particularly, grassroots constituency members dissatisfied with the current direction of the party under Tony Blair", while completely ignoring John's far more credible candidacy, which already enjoys considerable Trade Union support.
Keep on fighting John, this only makes us stronger!!!
Hello, I'm a member of the AWL, and I'm backing John McDonnell for Labour leader. He will deliver for the far-Left.
Like us, he doesn't believe in democracy - hence his demand for Meacher not to stand. But Owen, who refuses to join us, is the ultimate hypocrite, demanding John stands but insulting Meacher for doing the same.
Trotsky forever! McDonnell forever!
John McDonnell
A nutter's world is possible
I think Sham's personality disorder is nearly at the stage where the medical services should be involved.
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