Who will be Labour's cuts candidate?
Peter Hoskin 2:41pm
As
Guido and Jim Pickard have pointed out, Liam Byrne's article in the Guardian today reads like the launch of a leadership bid. But if it is, then it's not a well-judged
one. Amid some sensible points about Labour's demise, there's too much "if we'd have done what I said" bravado which, I imagine, won't go down well with the party faithful right
now. A bit like pouring vinegar on an open wound.
But it's worth considering another angle to a Byrne leadership bid. A couple of weeks ago, I wondered whether Brown's departure would also take Labour away from the "investment vs cuts" dividing line of the past decade, towards a more responsible contribution to the fiscal debate. In which case, it's noteworthy that Byrne did a lot of backroom work in government to pave the way for cuts. And, despite the occasional lapse, his rhetoric was relatively upfront on the issue.
This is why I think the Labour leadership contest has rammifications for all of us. A mature approach to our public finances will require mature politicians on all sides. And while I'm not sure Byrne is the best man for the job, he's cetainly better than Ed Balls.
Previous
Tim Hedges
May 14th, 2010 2:49pm Report this commentThe memo he wrote to his staff about how he liked his soup and coffee surely rules him out: the press are still teasing him and it would be repeated continually.
charles hercock
May 14th, 2010 2:55pm Report this commentLet no-one deny the socialists propensity to self destruct.Cruddas or Balls are racing certainties --to Dave's delight
Lord Monkington-Smythe
May 14th, 2010 2:57pm Report this comment@Tim Hedges
Link please.. I need cheering up, and I want Ed Balls to win the enivitable leadership bloodbath.
Once the electorate have seen Balls in action in opposition, I am pretty sure they would never vote Labour again.
Lord Monkington-Smythe
May 14th, 2010 3:01pm Report this commentNo need.... this is fantastic! Matybe Ed Balls and Baldemort could be the dream team!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/3468400/Cabinet-Minister-tells-civil-servants-when-to-bring-coffee-and-soup.html
Martyn Rowe
May 14th, 2010 3:19pm Report this commentThat arrogant memo and the fact he's recently been likened to Zippy from Rainbow won't help his cause at all.
Having said that I find it hard to really dislike him. He comes across as bright, less partisan that some other leading ex-Cabinet figures and very succinct.
I don't think he'll have a serious chance though.
Cuffleyburgers
May 14th, 2010 3:26pm Report this commentThe photo in the Jellygraph is remarkably reminiscent of a certain sort of gestapo thug, the sort with the long leather coats, and the secret drub habit as well as unconventional sexual preferences (not that that is in any way meant in a negative sense of course). very new labour
Wilhelm
May 14th, 2010 3:28pm Report this comment'' Who will be liebours candidate .''
They could elect a donut for all I care.
Percy
May 14th, 2010 3:44pm Report this commentBalls/Baldemort double act would be great. I think they should have a tag team style wrestle bout against the Miliband sisters.
Robert Taggart
May 14th, 2010 3:45pm Report this commentLiebour... cuts !... never !
Liebour (and all other lefties) be congenitally predisposed to profligacy, especially where other peoples money be concerned.
The next Liebour leader ? who ever it be you can be certain they will stand up in the commons and decry every single cut in government spending... they know no other way, they will never grow up.
Dirty Euro
May 14th, 2010 4:20pm Report this commentHow does the tory party feel about the decision to get rid of democracy with a 55% vote needed to have a vote of no confidence.
Tories and Mugabe eh!
Vulture
May 14th, 2010 4:20pm Report this commentAs Hague and IDS found to their cost, slapheads make bad leader choices. Sad, but true.
Catesby
May 14th, 2010 5:23pm Report this commentVulture
Never underestimate the determination of a hairless man.
Dracula
May 14th, 2010 5:54pm Report this commentBlimey, Simon Pegg has really come on since run fat boy run!
salieri
May 14th, 2010 6:14pm Report this commentDoes anybody remember how Liam Byrne covered up for Blair at the Home Office? It caused outrage at the time and is now completely forgotten.
Perhaps those who seriously maintain that the BBC is impartial, rather than an arse-licking regurgitator of Nulab propagandist claptrap, really ought to consider this astonishing article about him:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8393746.stm
Dracula
May 14th, 2010 11:05pm Report this commentSalieri
Thank you sir for this article. It is, simply, breathtaking. Corruption of the highest and purest order.
Noa Zrk
May 15th, 2010 1:18am Report this comment"..while I'm not sure Byrne is the best man for the job, he's cetainly better than Ed Balls...".
Damned by such faint praise his claim, hardly credible anyway, will be inaudible.
Robert Taggart
May 15th, 2010 10:36am Report this commentre: Salieri.
Have forgotten Byrnes 'cover up'... enlighten us... please !
One can say (from Byrnes appearances on various programmes )... he be the most 'slippery' brown tongue any government could hope for ! Unfortunately for Britain it was for the most corrupting government in memory.
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