My local Labour MP Matt Western belongs to the sensible tendency in the Labour Party. He writes today: 'My view on the future is that Keir retains my support. He has made an error and apologised for it. I desperately do not want to see our party dominated by infighting and manoeuvres on who will take over. We all saw it in the Tory party and how poorly it presented to the public. We must remain focused on what matters: delivery."
In relation to delivery, I noticed in a vox pop yesterday that a new Reform voter said that Labour had done nothing in two years. Yet two pieces of legislation alone have been controversial and have far reaching impacts: employment rights and renters' rights.
I heard an Andy Burnham supporter say on the radio that he is more popular with the electorate than other party leaders and not tainted by association with recent 'failures', But would he remain as popular if he took on the challenging role of prime minister in such dark times?
Remember, remember Patrick Gordon Walker, Ax shadow foreign secretary, he lost his seat at Smethick in the 1964 general election after an admittedly nasty campaign. The Labour MP for Leyton was persuaded to stand down and Walker lost the subsequent by-election, large numbers of Labour voters staying at home.
It is said that the NEC may now not block Burnham from standing in a by-election in Merseyside or Lancashire. But is there now such a thing as 'safe' Labour seat in the north-west? It could all end in ears for the power hungry opportunist and political chameleon.
No comments:
Post a Comment