Labour Leadership

[Jah Lush]

Indeed. I'm disappointed he didn't follow up Cameron's answers with follow up questions of his own and challenge him more. Still, early days for fireworks.

[DulwichFox]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Indeed. I'm disappointed he didn't follow up

> Cameron's answers with follow up questions of his

> own and challenge him more. Still, early days for

> fireworks.

I believe he is only allowed 6 pre selected questions and is not permitted to follow up with further questions.

Nor can he answer to suggestions / comments put my the PM. ??

It's PM's Q.T. so Cameron is the one to answer questions put to him.

DulwichFox

[Loz]

I watched it. Corbyn came across OK, but I thought the format meant Cameron could just fire back nice, almost preprepared soundbite-sized quotes.

The public suggesting questions is all well and good, but unless they pick better and more incisive questions - and follow up on his answers - I reckon Cameron will be rather happy if Corbyn sticks with this format.

Also, Cameron has always had a weak spot with his 'Flashman' arrogant approach to PMQs - this actually almost made him look more thoughtful.

[*Bob*]

He did ok, but let's be honest it was dull as dishwater

[*Bob*]

Loz Wrote:

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also, Cameron has always had a weak spot with his

> 'Flashman' arrogant approach to PMQs - this

> actually almost made him look more thoughtful.

I agree with this. He made Cameron appear less of a cock.

[JohnL]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jah Lush Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Indeed. I'm disappointed he didn't follow up

> > Cameron's answers with follow up questions of

> his

> > own and challenge him more. Still, early days

> for

> > fireworks.

>

> I believe he is only allowed 6 pre selected

> questions and is not permitted to follow up with

> further questions.

> Nor can he answer to suggestions / comments put my

> the PM. ??

>

> It's PM's Q.T. so Cameron is the one to answer

> questions put to him.

>

> DulwichFox

I'm pretty sure Cameron doesn't see the PMQs questions before they are asked

and the LoO is allowed to respond on the hop (counts as part of his next one).

(EdM used to ask some really strange ones sometimes (bless him))

I might be wrong - it would spoil it for me if Cameron knows :)

[????]

ok. Forgetting about policy ( as none has been revealed yet and/or crowd sourced) it's all a bit amateurish but I fancy that's because that reflects the slightly rambling fairly amateurish Corbyn rather than a new politics. It is kind of interesting but it still feels car crash interest to me. I suspect Corbyn's ability really does belong to the South Islington Socialist Society, a NUPE branch meeting and meaningless worthy rebellion from the back benches. A prime minister no wawy and the leader of a political party of enormous importance that has largely done good for this country, I'm utterly gobsmacked. Grief over the election result, ranty hatred of the Tories and social media has delivered us this man utterly out of his depth. All my opinion of course. But he needs to embrace some sort of professionalism/management and communication skills but he won't compromise on his views etc etc. "a man who won't change his mind won't change others'" as I saw quoted today

[Ridgley]

It was mentioned on the radio that Jeremy and Diane had a thing back in the day?

[Blah Blah]

I'm inclined to agree on your sentiment ????. The first few days have shown Corbyn is out of his depth to me too. There is niaivity there, just in terms of the damage the media can do to any campaign, if nothing else. He's going to have to learn fast, and one of the things he has to learn is that attracting attention for trivial matters like not singing a National Athem is a mistake, if he ever hopes to be taken as a serious contender for Prime Minister. All of that stuff can be fixed, if he's willing to take advice on presentation and I suspect that once the Labour party begin to formulate some firm policies he will find things easier. It's not going to be enough to be a man of the people. He needs to be a leader too.

[Otta]

Question Time looks quite tasty tonight.

[numbers]

???? Wrote:

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> Ii'm liking the excuses for no women in the top

> jobs...'top jobs is an outdated hierachal concept

> stemming from the 19th century blah blah' it's

> getting more like Millitant in Viz by the

> hour.....

:))

[numbers]

Otta Wrote:

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> I cringed at the whole people's flag thing.

>

> For me JC's role is this

>

> 1. Realign the centre so that it is actually in

> the middle.

> 2. Make life less comfortable for the government

> and highlight some of their less morally sound

> policies.

> 3. Make way for a new younger leader who doesn't

> come across as another one off the production line

> of shiny new career politicians.

>

>

> We'll see how it all works out.

Otta that sounds like a good summary of what JC's role ought to be. Sadly, I fear that Labour have shot themselves in the foot again as I don't think he's leadership material although a highly principled man, its not enough.

I'd say what JC propounds were the policies of the whole Labour Party and heavens alone knows what those MPs who have issued dire warnings about him believe in. No wonder Osborne is courting the ghastly Blairites.

At least Labour in Scotland are pushing the line "SNP talk left but act right" which I think sums them (the SNP) up nicely. Holyrood elections next year, I'd love to see Labour do well up there.

[Loz]

Ridgley Wrote:

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> It was mentioned on the radio that Jeremy and Diane had a thing back in the day?

The Standard had it too. Apparently back in the 70's and 80's they had a number of 'flings' and went on holiday together a couple of times. Quite common knowledge around Westminster apparently, but just hit the papers.

Personally, I haven't felt so queasy since the John Major/Edwina Currie thing came out.

[ratty]

One would have to question his judgement.......

[Otta]

Did anyone watch QT last night, and what did think?

Sure some will disagree (and would whatever had happened frankly), but I thought John McDonnell did pretty well. It was very difficult for him, having things he'd said 12 years ago in a very specific context thrown at him, and I thought he handled himself very well.

Interesting comments from Salmond (who weirdly I found myself generally agreeing with last night on everything he said - this is not a common or comfortable position) saying Corbyn's biggest problem is not the tories or the press, but the people behind him.

[Loz]

From what I've heard about McDonnell, I suspect he spent most of yesterday being tutored in the art of the calm response! I think there were a lot of people at Corbyn Central will have heaved a rather large sigh of relief as the credits rolled.

Unsurprisingly (since Corbyn has said policy will come from the members) there was mostly criticism of the government, rather than much in the way of new ideas. His apology about his IRA comments was vaguely acceptable - although he did the classic, weaselly "I apologise for any offence caused".

His story about why Corbyn didn't sing the anthem was completely laughable, though.

[Blah Blah]

I didn't buy the national Anthem story either. And if that story is true, Corbyn needs to wise up and start understanding the position he's now in. I saw a news interview in which he was asked about that and what he would do when he goes through the ceremy for acceptance to the privvy council (where he will be expected to bow). He was dithering and making no sense. I thought John McDonnell did well too but until we see some solid party policies it's hard to know how this will play out.

[????]

Yup. Winning the Leadership was the easy part. And the comfort and worship at his rallies and social media feed probably flattered his ego a bit too much (understandably), so I think he thinks he can set the agenda

He's got to make decsions; he's got to compromise on many things and with people who don't share his views; he's got to get a bit (lot) more professional- authenticity only get's you so far

Again genuine reflections, he wouldn't get my vote anyway, but even his supporters must surely see he needs to make some changes and get some direction?

I just don't think he's up to it (or maybe for it?) to be honest.

PS which doesn't mean to say I don't think he's getting an extremely hostile press and very, very feint 'praise' from the PLP, but both were to be expected

[Otta]

The National anthem thing is just pathetic IMO.

[????]

I agree. Doesn't bother me in the slightest nor who he's shagged in the past BUT it's very poloitically naive and the agenda/arguments so far has been about his politics - ie patriotism etc etc rtaher than focusing on the tories. I think McDonell realised this amd hence his 'apology'.

[????]

which is why he'd be an idiot not to wear a red poppy at remembrance Sunday

[Ridgley]

Loz wrote >

The Standard had it too. Apparently back in the 70's and 80's they had a number of 'flings' and went on holiday together a couple of times. Quite common knowledge around Westminster apparently, but just hit the papers.

Personally, I haven't felt so queasy since the John Major/Edwina Currie thing came out.

I suppose what ever lights your fire :)

[Jeremy]

He's not getting treated fairly by the press at all, which is sad. He's the leader of the opposition... he has tremendous support amongst the public.. we should be hearing his views and policies. Not all this nonsense about his clothes, the sodding national anthem, who he shagged 35 years ago, or things members of the shadow cabinet said in the 80s.

[????]

Well, yes Jeremy but not unexpected and I'm not sure he has tremendous support 'among the public'.

Social Media is full of references to the Bullingdon Club (as are many Labour MPs) and Cameron's visits to South Africa, so I think that's politics. The point on the National Anthem is he bought that on himself as wearing a white poppy will - it's hard to keep 'principles' if you seek power; he's got to make a choice at some point.

[Otta]

He should defo wear a red poppy. Apparently he's previously worn both at ceremonies, and I think that should be perfectly acceptable, but sure it won't be.