On the 25th of September, this coming Saturday, the new leader of the Labour Party will be announced.
I personally believe there are four very good candidates for the job, and Dianne Abbott.
Diane Abbott, not the right choice
I simply think that Abbott is not a credible electable option for the party. Whilst some people may see an appeal in the fact that she offers something different to her opponents the simple fact remains that she would be the least likely to beat Cameron in a general election. This is not to say I dislike her, as I do like her left-wing tendencies.
However, she has spent too much time in the comfort zone of a TV programme alongside long-term Labour enemy Michael Portillo.
Where I’d like to see her: On the backbenches
Ed Balls, excellent but unfortunate
Ed Balls faces two problems in his candidacy. Firstly, his name. Petty as it sounds there is a lot of immaturity and pettiness in the British media and you can imagine the headlines they’d have lined up if a man named Balls was elected. Secondly, he is well known to have been one of Gordon Brown’s closest allies. Considering how unpopular Gordon was, this could work against him.
This is all very sad as he is in fact an excellent politician with good forward thinking ideas.
Where I’d like to see him: Chancellor Of The Exchequer
Andy Burnham will not be a well known name to any people like some of the others. However, he had held important roles in government for years.
Andy Burnham, potential to grow into the role
I see him as someone who would have potential as a leader. He has lots of good ideas, but also has a personality the public could warm to and has no obvious drawbacks. If my preferred choice does not come into power I would certainly be happy to see him get the job.
Where I’d like to see him:
Home Secretary
Ed Miliband is tipped by many to become the new leader of the party. And it must be said that I like him. He has many good ideas and policies and a passionate belief in these.
Ed Miliband, a credible choice
As with Andy Burnham and Ed Balls I feel he could do well as the leader of the Labour Party and I would happily support him if he is elected.
I do believe though that, sad as it is, there are people who would decide they were not keen on Ed due to his, some would say, unusual accent.
I personally do not see this as a problem at all as I am able to focus on the fact that he is an able and commited politician.
My worry would be that members of the public would not be as discerning.
Where I’d Like To See Him: Deputy Leader
This leaves one more contender, David Miliband. I feel that Ed’s brother is the man to lead the party back to power.
David Miliband, the man for the job
He has huge experience within goverment, having played influencial roles in several regimes.
He already appears very confident in debates and would be able to defeat opposition leaders with these skills. He has in the past shown these skills by proving a more capable speaker than leaders of other countries, never mind parties.
Some would argue that David is less left-wing than some of his counterparts. Whether this view is true or not I believe this perception could help him win a general election where a public may be wary of a radical jump to the left. I just hope this doesn’t prevent him winning in the more left-wing Labour contest.
Where I’d Like To See Him: Party Leader
Mumblings And Ramblings 