Posted by JLW on Monday Jan 09, 17:07
So far John Leech has been all quiet on the subject of Charles Kennedy's replacement as leader of the Liberal Democrats after saying he would back Charles Kennedy all the way.
Will John back a new candidate to be leader?
+ tags coming soon
( 14 Comments )
Thomas
Tuesday Jan 10, 04:09
I doubt that John will back anyone until he is sure they are going to win (so Cambell would seem a fair enough bet). It must be a bit difficult for him - must want to avoid spoiling his chances of getting on the frontbench (does he have any? Perhaps ambitions would be a better word).
Hope everyone had a good Christmas.
peter h
Tuesday Jan 10, 23:46
Theres not much point in criticising him for not saying who he'll support when nobody knows who the contenders are. He'd be daft to do anything else
He's only a newcomer junior backbencher. He's in no position to lay down any laws.
peter h
Tuesday Jan 10, 23:46
Theres not much point in criticising him for not saying who he'll support when nobody knows who the contenders are. He'd be daft to do anything else
He's only a newcomer junior backbencher. He's in no position to lay down any laws.
Dave Wilson
Wednesday Jan 11, 16:42
I admit that I am starting to have some doubts over John Leech, however, my vote last year wasn't based on individual personalities, it was down to the party that I was most happy with at the time - that was and still it the Lib Dems. And like Peter has said, until all the contenders have openly declared who will and who won't be standing, I doubt I will be able to state who JL will be backing. I am sure John Leech will be in the local press at some point in the future, stating who he is going to back.
Thomas
Thursday Jan 12, 02:03
Well I doubt he'll back anyone until he is absolutely sure they are going to win - like Peter says, he is new to the parliamentry party (I mean he's only know the MPs for a few months really) and won't want to tread on any toes and ruin his "career".
Ian
Thursday Jan 12, 19:33
It's a big test of character for him. I mean, does he side with Ming the Merciless, stay in favour with the majority of his parliamentary colleague but run thre risk of backing the loser if put to a vote of angry, unforgiving grass roots members...or does he back Oaten/Hughes and run the risk of getting backs up on the green benches.
The other factor is discovering whether his politics lean left, or lean right, depending on who he sides with...and if he even work this out for himself.
peter h
Friday Jan 13, 04:26
why do you put careeer in inverted commas , Thomas? It IS his career. He'll back the person he thinks best, like any intelligent person. you vote labour because you think theyre best, even if you know theyre unlikley to win.
Thomas
Friday Jan 13, 06:00
http://tgraham.org.uk/blog
I don't agree with you Peter, I think he will back the person that is most likely to win. At the end of they day, I vote Labour because I believe if you look at core values (i.e. not specific "I want my legacy/place in history" policy) that they offer the right moral position on things (see Clause IV).
I believe that it would not be sensible for JL to back the person he thinks is "best" unless they are likely to win, as it may damage his chances of progressing within the party.
At the end of the day it is likely he won't side with anyone, keep quiet and vote for whoever he thinks is best.
I've added a blog entry earlier this evening (see the link above), but how much money does it cost to become leader of the Lib Dems? Forget about campaigning - register 75,000 members at a cost of £450,000 (£225,000 if you can convince students) and get them to vote for who you want and you are pretty much garuanteed whoever you want to win to win. Now that is democracy for you - whoever has the most money decides who wins. Hang on a minute, sounds like the tories. What a suprise...
Ian
Friday Jan 13, 15:14
Thomas is right Peter. John will not necessary vote for who he thinks would be best, more likely with the guy whose politics are consistent with his, and (likelier still) who he is likely to 'progress' under.
Another factor with the farcical Lib Dem rule book is that each individual MP can endorse as many candidates as they choose.
Perhaps the John For Leader campaign should start here!!
peter h
Friday Jan 13, 20:11
with respect, it's only natural for him to think that the best leader will be the guy he can work with best and he agrees with most. It would be daft for to vote for somebody whose politics he has problems with or who he doesnt like
RHA
Sunday Jan 22, 23:44
To be honest John Leech will do whatever suits John Leech - forget principles or policies - this is the man who got rid of a perfectly good MP with one of the most disgusting hypocritical campaigns ever seen - he knew that Keith Bradley voted against the war which angers me alot - therfore I think he will back Simon Hughes as he got elected on a left wing ticket
Dave Wilson
Monday Jan 23, 19:11
When will people get over the fact that John got rid of the labour party, not Keith Bradley. I was a labour supporter until Iraq (and countless other mistakes by the Labour government), and that is why I voted Lib Dems (I wasn't voting for John Leech). Keith was great, sadly he worked for the wrong party. If he had been so peeved with Labour going to war, and peeved at GM foods and peeved at student fees, he should of stood down as Labour and stood up for another party or as an independent!
peter h
Wednesday Jan 25, 23:29
I may be wrong, but I got the impression that KB voted against Iraq once, then fell into line with Labour. Is that correct?
A Lib Dem Supporter
Tuesday Feb 14, 02:08
Why does this website give such bias. If it is aimed to keep John accountable then surely it should be apolitical. FOr a start it is run by a Labour member who has experienced the Bradley 'sour grapes' syndrome and secondly it is raely updated so much of the content is rubbish. For example the website claims John hasnt opened an office, which is totaly wrong. It was publisised in the SMR and MEN for the benefit of those people who rely on this website to contact John the address is 8 Gawsworth Ave, E. Didsbury and you can ring the office on 0161 434 3334. ALso putting false information about JL being late to a photo call with Charles Kennedy is irrelevant esp on a biography and makes no difference to his role as our MP. The labour webmaster for this site needs to accept defeat and offer a unpartisan forum to debate John's work as MP. Utherwise I commend the webmaster as i yhthink this is a brilliant way pof keeping the electorate of WIthington up to date on their MP. In the future please dont give a political bias.
!!!
These comments are owned by the person that posted them. They are not necessarily indicative of public opinion and their content has not been checked for accuracy. If you find a comment you think violates our Terms of Use please report it.
Sorry, posting on this entry is disabled to prevent comment spam.
