Rebel Labour MPs seek signatures for 'Gordon must go' letter

[marty21]

The speculation/hope is that Alan Johnson is willing to play exactly that role: not winning the election, but losing it less badly than Brown would.

I've read that he is seen as a compromise candidiate, and one who hasn't really been touched by the expenses scandal - plus born in a council flat, brought up his sister, ex postman - might be better up against the eton toff cameron (cos his toffness will be an issue in the election, which will be dirty I reckon)

 

[Stoat Boy]

Its going to take hell of a lot for Brown to go. His whole life has been about getting into number 10 and he aint going to just give it up without a fight.

I reckon it will come down to him threatening to just call a general election now or them just shutting up and giving him another 12 months or so.

 

[magneze]

If Johnson gets the leadership would probably call an immediate election. It's the only sensible thing to do - at least it'd be a clean break. What with the expenses scandal screwing the Tories too, it's not even sure that they'd win. If he put PR on the manfesto, that'd make it interesting.

Agree with Stoat Boy tho - Brown won't go without a fight. Could be a messy few weeks.

 

[skyscraper101]

He could do what Major did in '95 and just resign and stand again for leadership.

One of his boldest moves was that.

 

[danny la rouge]

Brown won't go without a fight. Could be a messy few weeks.

Yey!

I agree, too. He'll be dragged out screaming. Lol.

 

[magneze]

He could do what Major did in '95 and just resign and stand again for leadership.

One of his boldest moves was that.

Would he win though? Can't see it myself!

 

[JHE]

If he put PR on the manifesto, that'd make it interesting.

Johnson's proposal is to have a referendum on his preferred form of electoral reform, 'Alternative Vote Plus', at the same time as the general election. The Labour manifesto promise would obviously be to implement AV+ or not, depending on the outcome of the referendum.

If the referendum came out in favour of AV+ but Labour lost, it would be difficult for the winners not to do as the referendum indicated.

With AV+ in place, 'moderate' parties, including Labour (or New labour or New New Labour or Newer Labour or whatever the wretches might call their party), would tend to do well in subsequent elections.

 

[frogwoman]

This is gonna be interesting

 

[skyscraper101]

Would he win though? Can't see it myself!

Probably not.

But surely that's the only effective way to remain as leader and silence the haters if he really wants to cling onto the leadership.

 

[marty21]

He could do what Major did in '95 and just resign and stand again for leadership.

One of his boldest moves was that.

it was a stunning move at the time, can't see Brown doing it though

 

[elbows]

it was a stunning move at the time, can't see Brown doing it though

Yeah he has quite the reputation as a ditherer over that sort of thing, or else we'd of had a general election the other year.

 

[taffboy gwyrdd]

There are still some Labour kool-aid drinkers out there saying Johnson might save them. Check out his record - he's about as reactionary as any of them.

 

[Stoat Boy]

Yeah he has quite the reputation as a ditherer over that sort of thing, or else we'd of had a general election the other year.

Quite.

And that was the beginning of the end for him. He fucked off the Press big time over that because they ended up with a lot of egg on their face. He was insane to wait, especially because he must have known that the whole credit crisis was going to break.

He is just a very very poor Prime Minister. Its not about luck or timing or anything now but simple poor judgement and leadership skills.

But he will not budge from number 10. He will hold the threat of calling an election over those wanting him to go and I think he will call their bluff*.

(* as a Tory its what I want. I reckon that another 12 months of this and its possible that the defeat will be so huge that Labour could potentially just evaporate)

 

[Wolveryeti]

There are still some Labour kool-aid drinkers out there saying Johnson might save them. Check out his record - he's about as reactionary as any of them.

I'm not sure how indicative his voting record is tbh. You can't exactly be a front bencher and a maverick at the same time.

 

[shagnasty]

John McDonnell has been uncharacteristically very quiet indeed recently

Yes but he is probablly the only one to act with any diginity

 

[weltweit]

I cant see Brown going anywhere until after the next general election.

 

[weltweit]

And who is Alan Johnstone? a nobody..

 

[Kid_Eternity]

He is the man the Tories fear most.

 

[weltweit]

He is the man the Tories fear most.

Why?

Well I have no idea why?

Whenever I have watched him he seems "Mr Insubstantial" ..

 

[taffboy gwyrdd]

Lord Clunk of the Fist

Hmm...I also like Comrade Clunk or Clunking Shit.

Or howabout "Not Flash. Just Shit."?

 

[taffboy gwyrdd]

It's hilarious how they are now trying to pin their hopes on Johnson - another former "left winger" who has shifted quite a long way to the right.

I'm torn between amusement at the Labour implosion and frustration that quite a few of them still aint looking at time in the big house.