Cometh the hour, cometh the Harman?
James Forsyth 8:52pmGordon Brown’s speech hasn’t changed the fact that Labour still have to fight the Glenthroes by-election at some point. If Labour lose that—as all the people I’ve spoken to who know Scottish politics thinks they will—then Labour will face its moment of decision: will it go down to a massive defeat under Brown’s leadership or will it at least try and rally under a new leader. If it takes the latter option, I don’t expect David Miliband to win the ensuing leadership contest. The electoral college works against him and he hasn’t helped himself this week. His speech didn’t win any new converts to his cause and the weird set of facial expressions that he pulled at the end of it made him look ridiculous. It is also worth noting that Alan Johnson’s effective endorsement of him has not had the impact that some were expecting. So if not Miliband who? Well, Harriet Harman has adroitly positioned herself as the potential unity candidate. She delivers the final speech of the conference tomorrow and if it is good her stock will climb still further. I know a lot of Coffee Housers find the idea of Harman as PM ridiculous, but don’t underestimate her.
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Comments
Max Kaye
September 23rd, 2008 8:58pmRosa Klebb without the sense of humour.
BTW, wouldn't a tonsure suit the Novice Miliband? (Especially combined with the silly gurn).
Travis Bickle
September 23rd, 2008 9:00pmIn an off the wall way it would be quite amusing for Harman as PM having to try and be pleasant to Sarah Palin as VP. Or umm, err, umm, err, umming uncomfortably through conversation as she did in last week's Question Time when asked about Palin.
Dirty Euro
September 23rd, 2008 9:03pmThe people of Fife need to vote for the Fife PM. Only dumb people vote out local PM. The people of Fife should not listen people outside of their own county. :
maas101
September 23rd, 2008 9:12pmRidiculous, no. Abhorrent, yes.
Bonetired
September 23rd, 2008 9:36pmWho wants to be a caretaker PM?
Anyway the scream for an election will be overwhelming.
John Ward
September 23rd, 2008 9:43pmOh, I believe it about Harman. Indeed, I wrote from much the same stance over two weeks ago, before the conference.
mac
September 23rd, 2008 10:06pmPM Harman in thrall to the unions and also pursuing her crass discriminatory 'equality' crusade will be more of a train wreck for Labour than leaving Brown in place.
DES: Er, thanks, that's clear then. Glenrothes voters should vote Labour to keep 'The Fife PM'. I doubt that your appeal will have Alex Salmond shaking with alarm. In truth he expects that Brown will soon be the last Labour MP in the whole of (the kingdom of) Fife.
Tanuki
September 23rd, 2008 10:15pmAh yes, Harriet Harman: who does for the Labour left what Myra Hindley did for Saddleworth Moor.
Tanuki
September 23rd, 2008 10:15pmAh yes, Harriet Harman: who does for the Labour left what Myra Hindley did for Saddleworth Moor.
Chris
September 24th, 2008 8:15amIt is not possible to underestimate Harriet Harman; there's nothing there to estimate.