When the cat's away...
Peter Hoskin 9:58am
Hm. Seems like Alan Johnson has chosen the day that Gordon's away in Italy to write another comment piece on voting reform. Like his article for the Times a few months ago, it pushes the AV+ version of proportional representation. And, like his Times article, it goes out of its way to mention Brown ("I work for a leader who accepts the need for ... renewal"), but it still comes across as an attempt to grab the leadership limelight. After all, why should the Home Secretary be reiterating points he's made before about voing reform? Why isn't he leaving this attention-grabbing stuff for his leader who "accepts the need for renewal"? And why now?
I imagine the reponse from Downing Street - if there is one - will be the same as last time: to welcome this "contribution" to the debate. But quite a few Brownites will be left unimpressed, if not fuming. As recent weeks have shown, Johnson isn't willing to wield a knife against the Dear Leader. But he certainly seems to be keeping his leadership campaign on the boil. Conference season awaits...
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JONNY
July 8th, 2009 10:08am Report this commentThe Postman always rings twice.
Dirty Euro
July 8th, 2009 10:10am Report this commentI agree AV seems a good idea. This way the seat system is kept. But it can be more proportional as you cannot have a unpopular candidate splitting the other candidates to win.
Jonathan Cook
July 8th, 2009 10:21am Report this commentGordon Brown and Ed Balls are the cancerous heart of Labour.
It is very sad that there is nobody else in Labour who has either the backbone or experience to present themselves as suitable challengers to Brown.
The Heseltine maxim is irrelevant in this case. There is a corrupt madman at the helm. The person who wields a knife in the name of honesty in government would be crowned.
Pete Hoskin
July 8th, 2009 10:21am Report this commentJONNY: Classic. Wish I'd have thought of that for the headline.
Jeremy
July 8th, 2009 11:00am Report this commentTwo men, one "presbyterian conscience", but still no word or action on the case of Gary McKinnon:
http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/3744903/gary-mckinnon-is-a-victim-of-injustice.thtml
Ian Walker
July 8th, 2009 12:04pm Report this commentAV+ is a terrible system - although you keep the one-member-per-seat of FPTP, you get a whole bunch of totally unaccountable party listers.
STV or bust!
Aidan
July 8th, 2009 1:08pm Report this commentDirty Euro, Labour are pushing AV because they believe there is a natural left-wing majority in most constituencies, and that AV will lead to the left-wing vote consolidating behind the leading left-wing candidate.
You can have a proportional result and retain the seat system by having multi-member constituencies with a single vote.
Paul
July 9th, 2009 12:07am Report this commentDoes Labour really believe that there is a natural left-wing majority in most constituencies? I would call that the delusion of all delusions on their part. Most of England is thoroughly conservative. And I would suggest that a lot of that left wing vote is now going to the BNP.
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