Typical isn't it. Yesterday there I am complaining about no mention of our campaign in the national press and then today two references come along in the same paper, the "Independent on Sunday."
In one article on the leadership election the Indie's veteran political commentator, Alan Watkins, refers to me as "the admirable John McDonnell." That came as a bit of a surprise as although I have always thought that much of his writing is particularly astute and certainly demonstrates an independence of thought, Alan usually has a pop at me and my politics. Anyway I can only be grateful for such a mention and description.
Further down the same page of the Independent a diary columnist, Joy Lo Dico, (someone I don't know and have never met) refers to Alan Watkins view that I may find it difficult obtaining the necesary MPs nominations but that Michael Meacher is faring worse. She goes on to write that it is "said by rivals that we are in talks about the idea that Meacher runs ahead with McDonnell as his deputy."
It goes on to say "Such an idea would delight Chancellor Gordon Brown, who needs a sacrifical lamb to stop the contest from becoming positively North Korean and Brown would rather crush Meacher than McDonnell."
I don't know who has planted this story. but you know how it is with sections of our beloved media. No matter how inaccurate or baseless a story, if it appears in print once it can get legs of its own. So before this gossip gets any legs and anyone gets any ideas I thought it best to put it down firmly and immediately.
Step by step let's get it right. The one thing about our campaign which completely reflects our politics is that we are open, honest and just straightforward. We have absolutely nothing to hide and actually nothing to lose in being completely open.
I am running for leader and nothing else. In our campaign we believe that we are nearing the halfway mark in terms of MPs committed to nominate with about another 15 or so MPs who we believe will eventually nominate because they want an election not a coronation. That leaves us needing another 5 to 10 nominations to find. We think there are another up to 20 possible nominations up for grabs. I don't think these MPs will make up their minds until pretty late on in the process and will base alot of what they decide on the opinions expressed by their constituency parties and their unions. That is why the focus of our campaign is based upon building momentum in the CLPs and unions. I've set out that strategy in virtually every speech I've made so it is no secret.
I am not badgering MPs to nominate me or putting anyone under pressure. That just isn't my style anyway. I understand the factors they have to weigh up and respect that. I want them to come to the right decision in the interests of our party.
I am not running for deputy leader as I want a decisive change in the the policies of the party. This change could only be brought about with a change of leader. Running for deputy would just be for position and to be frank has just become a career move for many others.
I am not entering into any pacts or deals with anyone, including Michael Meacher, to stand for deputy. I have always looked upon Michael as a friend and indeed I have expressed time and time again my respect for the work he has put in on climate change. Before last year's Labour Party conference I explained our campaign to him and told him he would always be welcome on board as part of the campaign team and he thanked me for that. That offer is still open.
However I would not stand as his deputy. No matter what my strong feelings of friendship I have for Michael I have to be completely honest on this matter. In the critical vote in Parliament on whether this country should go to war in Iraq, Michael voted for the war and remained in Ministerial office when Robin Cook and others resigned.
I know that Michael has later expressed regret for this decision and believes he was deceived by the Prime Minister over Iraq. However when you cast a vote for a position as important as the leader of the Labour Party you have to make a judgement on someone's ability to make decisions on principle at times like the war.
I wish Michael all the best but this is how I feel.
We will continue our enthusiastic grass roots campaign which has gained so much support from rank and file members in constituency parties and unions. Michael is very welcome to come on board and I would welcome his invaluable expertise on environmental matters.
Let's move on now and work together to mobilise the members of our movement and in this way get those nominations to secure a democratic election for the leader of our party.
12 Comments:
I used to work on a Diary page and often we would be stuck for stories so would basically make things up. However, my suspicion is that, shall we say, an interested party has planted the John4Deputy/Meacher story .But I'm glad to hear the Indy piece is wrong. There is much down talking of this campaign - and much media speculation about not getting the 44 nominations. It'sthe only aspect of the campaign they seem to be intersted in. Our opponents also seem to have the strategy of repeating that it's impossible so everyone will believe it. Thanks for setting the record straight. And thanks also to Alan Watkins .Unlike the incredibly sycophantic John Rentoul he's fair and open-minded.
Am interested to know why the author felt that Brown "would rather crush Meacher than McDonnell"? Did he mean it would be easier to beat Meacher?
I spoke to one of Brown's "spinmeisters" (a friend of one my friends, who is a fast-track civil servant in the Treasury).
It was felt that Meacher would be easier to "crush" (the word they also used, funnily enough) because he'll be seen as a discredited ex-minister in a sulk because he was sacked; who backed all the policies he now suddenly opposes; because he backed the war against Iraq and therefore his post-sacking opposition to it doesn't seem credible and makes him look like a hypocrite; because he doesn't have any backing in the trade unions or party; because his multimillion pound property portfolio won't go down well; and because he comes across as a fairly whiney vicar-like figure. I also got the impression that they've got some dirt on him though god knows what that is.
It was felt that McDonnell might be more of a problem because he has a base within the unions in particular but also among party activists; because he has a consistent political record; and because he is seen as a man of principle even by his opponents.
I don't know if this means some of Brown's people will nominate Meacher in an effort to prevent McDonnell standing but I guess we can't rule that out.
You selfish fuck. Who the hell are you to stand for the Labour leadership? It's all me, me, me ...
I like Michael Meacher (though i've never met him) but voting for the Iraq invasion showed a lack of judgement when put to the test that destroyed his credibility as a candidate to challenge Brown.
Anonymous - surely you're joking? certainly what you've said is a joke. In what way is it selfish for John to give people inside and outside the Labour party the choice of a political leader who actually represents the majority opinions rather than leave them with Brown (pro-Iraq war , pro-PFI) Vs Cameron (ditto) for leaders of the two major parties. That would be no choice at all.
Just a clear example not to beleive everything you read in the paper.
John your doing a good job with the campaign, and Michael should not be allowed to derail it.
Labour needs a man of principle and honesty to lead it, not an ex-minister feeling bitter and betrayed.
Keep up the good work John!
John,
I think this blog was in exactly the right spirit. I completely agree that Michael could well be an invaluable contributor to the campaign, particularly on environmental matters, but - for a whole range of reasons, some of which are articulated here - is the wrong candidate for the leadership. While speculating about why Brown would prefer to 'crush' Meacher is interesting, I would urge others to refrain from attacking Michael personally. Despite some bad voting errors (while a minister - Iraq - and even as a backbencher - foundation hospitals) Michael is still essentially one of 'ours' and there's no need for us to add to attacks upon him. We should, ideally, be hoping that Michael - and one or two MPs who are currently hoping that he will run - will nominate John (they could be the handful of MPs who end up making all the difference) so I don't think there should be an incentive for hostility.
I'm glad the rumours in the diary piece are without foundation.
The only "incentive for hostility" will be if the Meacher bandwagon stops a leadership challenge after months of hard work - it's nothing personal against MM but many feel he just hasn't strategically thought this through and his supporters have been distinctly unhelpful to this campaign.I, too,hope he comes on board.
I agree with you as regards Michael Meacher. He is supposed to be on the left but then, how could he accept a post in Blair's cabinet and then stay in for so long.
I do think that he is making the right noises though i.e talking about the environment. In my view the next election is going to be fought on climate change and the NHS. Your site seems to be a bit scanty on these issues. we need to hear your ideas on this more.
sushma
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