Labour leadership

[River Don]

I see Chukka Umunna has pulled out of the running. Bit unexpected that.

Does that leave the way open for Andy Burnham then?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Strange one. He and Jarvis were clearly positioning themselves for a bid, even just this week. Skeletons in the cupboard?

Reminds me of the Thick of It episode where they are trying to get a popular female MP to run against the leader, but it turns out she's got a secret addiction to online poker.

[River Don]

I still think it's a shame about Jarvis.

With his CV that reads more like a film script I would be surprised if he has skeletons in the closet but I suppose you never can tell.

[IC1967]

He's not daft. He knows it's a poisoned chalice.

The Tories will be over the moon.

Let's hope some of you lefties will ridicule him for the decision just like you tried to ridicule Nige.

Get in.

[Glyn_Wigley]

He's not daft. He knows it's a poisoned chalice.

The Tories will be over the moon.

Let's hope some of you lefties will ridicule him for the decision just like you tried to ridicule Nige.

Get in.

Yep, I'm glad Labour didn't get a leader who can't stick to doing what he says he's going to.

[The Red Baron]

Maybe Umanna and Jarvis are thinking about the Tories in the 1990s and early 2000s. They got their leadership horribly wrong. Maybe neither wants to be another William Hague.

Looks like a straight fight between Cooper and Burnham. Of the two, I'd probably go for Cooper but I think the unions might swing it for Burnham.

[BillyStubbsTears]

TRB

I don't see Labour imploding like the Tories did in that period, but I DO think it'll be very difficult for Labour to win in 2020. Quite possible that Umunna and Jarvis are keeping their powder dry for 5 years time.

[The Red Baron]

Sorry - I didn't make myself very clear. I agree with you that it will be difficult for them to win outright in 2020- though not impossible. I wasn't seeking to compare Labour today with the state of the Conservative Party circa 1997-2003!

I can see why someone like Umanna would not want the leadership now. The last Leader of the Opposition to win his second General Election, having lost his first, was Ted Heath. These days losers usually fall on their sword.

[hoolahoop]

I can't see a 'leader' yet , when do the nominations finish ?
Burnham is too far to the left and Cooper is well .. Weak ?
There must be someone of real quality and stature and perhaps more importantly these days must have television appeal.