Just watched Jess Phillips and Keir Starmer on Marr.
Phillips came across as straight talking and honest. Clearly gets it that if Labour continue with current policies then regaining support and getting anywhere near power is a pipe dream.
Starmer seemed keen on maintaining the main thrust of their left wing policies. Maybe he’s looking for the support of the party membership but if he believes his own comments there will be no move towards centre ground under Starmer. Even when pressed on it towards end of interview he was adamant that “over steering” would be a big mistake.
I joined the Fabian Society over the weekend to get a vote via one of Labour's affiliates. It seemed the best compromise compared to re-joining a party still under the control of the far left and with Corbyn still as leader.
Not quite sure who I want to vote for yet. I like Jess Phillips the best of all the candidates, but don't necessarily think she would make the best leader. My initial gut feel was that Lisa Nandy was probably my preferred candidate.
The only guaranteed thing is that I won't be voting for Wrong-Daily or, even more laughable, the 'friend of the working class', Ian Lavery.
Not knocking your preference but I always find Jess Phillips does this kind of over emo way of cry-talking, feigning concern and appearing to nearly be in tears so I can't support her - seems to be almost endemic in Labour women with a few honourable exceptions.; Lisa Nandy would be one. Successful women and leaders like Arlene Foster, Nicola Sturgeon don't suffer from this affectation.
I guess the majority of the labour membership is either hard left (probs wont wash with them) or somewhat infantilised so perhaps the cry-speaking is a winning method.
Starmer, so oily, so disingenuous, so Thornberry, so legalistic, so clearly not remotely connected with the concerns of the average British person - probs the best choice though in electoral terms but still thinking it's a very poor field. Maybe he can do a bit of party management for a while and then someone more interesting might emerge and take over.
I watched the Labour hustings on Saturday. Jess Philiips was terrible but she showed some self awareness in noticing that and pulling out. Thornberry swung between her gentle, but ever so patronising voice and her loud ranty one. No chance.
Starmer and Nandy came over like I expected. Starmer, because I don't like him, oleaginous and creepy. Nandy, relatively straightforward, sounding sensible but still delusional, although I still like her
Rebecca LB was the only one who surprised me - better than I thought, threw in some interesting thoughts on aspiration. I kind of hope she wins so Labour can have their first women leader and get that monkey off their back or less likely perhaps Nandy can do it. Both of them give the impression of being people who could actually grow in the role. Starmer and Thornberry are at their peak and their peak is useless - they're not going to improve. Better that Labour picks a grower as I can't imagine a better time to go down that path
Poll
Author