Source: Exclusive: Watson “running scared of Thornberry challenge”
Exclusive: Watson “running scared of Thornberry challenge”
March 22, 2017
Exclusive: Watson “running scared of Thornberry challenge”
March 22, 2017
Very interesting discussions this evening with two sources extremely close to the Labour leadership have cast an interesting light on rumours – which appear to be becoming firmer – that Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry may be planning to challenge Tom Watson for the deputy leader position.
It appears that at least 35 Labour MPs have already confirmed their willingness to back Ms Thornberry should she decide to stand. If Watson were to trigger a contest in a similar way to Len McCluskey with the Unite General Secretary’s position, this number would be enough to guarantee Thornberry a place on the ballot.
However, to force a contest, Ms Thornberry would need 50 or so nominations (depending on the total number of Labour MPs at the time). Her supporters are confident of reaching this number before Labour’s annual Conference.
One of the leadership sources, who is laying the groundwork for the…
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THIS is why we need #Len4Unite – and #anyonebutTom (#EmilyforDeputy?)
March 21, 2017
Len McCluskey has come out swinging today, with a Huffington Post piece on the Tom Watson debacle that shows the hard-hitting fearlessness – and humour – that shows exactly why Unite needs to keep him at the helm of the country’s biggest union:
McCluskey’s observations on Watson are spot on and based on years of experience of Mr Watson’s behaviour:
But as well as mincing no words and pulling no punches, McCluskey’s comments portray a humour that you could never imagine from his grey and cheerless rival Gerard Coyne, such as this classic Scouse wit:
The piece also shows the statesmanlike ‘big picture’ appreciation of what’s important and how we get there that is singularly missing from Coyne’s ‘doing a Trump’ insular mentality:
The article shows integrity, toughness, loyalty, determination and, of course, that humour.
If you want to see the whole thing in all its glory, here’s a link to…
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Thornberry v Watson: it’s not just business, it’s personal – a 12yr feud
March 21, 2017
Social media is abuzz with the rumour, reported earlier today by the SKWAWKBOX, that Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry may challenge the disgraced Tom Watson for the Labour Deputy-Leadership, while BBC and other journalists have been contacting current and former Labour MPs urgently asking for comment. Support for a Thornberry challenge has been overwhelming, with this tweet typical of thousands of Twitter and Facebook messages calling for the move and the freeing of Labour to fight unhindered that it would represent:
What many might not realise – and which would increase the enthusiasm of most if they knew – is that Ms Thornberry and Watson have a long and acrimonious history that would render the contest highly personal.
And which might leave Watson isolated even in the…
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Emily Thornberry to challenge for deputy leader?
March 21, 2017
Rumours are reaching this blog that Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry may be preparing to challenge Tom Watson for the deputy Labour leadership.
After the debacle yesterday of Watson’s hypocritical and rather desperate attempt to smear the left of the party – again – and to interfere in the Unite General Secretary contest, Watson’s public credibility has reached a new low.
Jeremy Corbyn flanked on the front bench by current and future deputy leaders?
The twin slap-downs from both Unite and a near-unanimous Shadow Cabinet demonstrate that his political standing is equally tenuous. The ‘hissy-fit’ by part of the PLP (parliamentary Labour party) last night only served to reinforce the impression that Watson is in trouble – when the bankrupt likes of John Spellar, John Cryer, Wes Streeting and Neil Coyle are the best he’s got to defend him, his situation is dire.
Ms Thornberry is a popular and capable…
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Emily Thornberry to challenge for deputy leader?
March 21, 2017
A democratic message from Jeremy Corbyn – contribute to Labour policies
March 20, 2017
Prefigurative, inclusive, participatory democracy in action. We must be the change we want to see.
The Conservatives don’t really do public consultations in any meaningful sense. But they are an essential part of a functioning democracy. Our current government took an authoritarian turn, prefering to impose policies that act upon people as if they are passive objects, rather than including us in decision-making, as autonomous human subjects. The Conservatives have no consideration for democracy, rights, the law and importantly, public needs.
Have your say in shaping the Labour Party’s policy agenda. It matters.
Kitty.
I had the following email from Jeremy Corbyn on 17 March:
Subject: Help us write our policies for the challenges ahead of us.
Dear Sue,
Last year I said that I wanted us to reconnect with our values and our people, so we can rebuild and transform Britain, for the many, not just the few.
To…
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dainagregory 