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Original poster

Shadow Chancellor Not Up To The Job

109 replies

Chil1234 · 11/01/2011 14:43

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/8249198/Alan-Johnson-struggles-over-National-Insurance-rates-on-live-television.html Johnson Confusion

You'd think, as the Shadow Chancellor, Alan Johnson would be up to speed on something as basic as employers' NI contributions. His stage persona of 'honest bloke who knows nothing about economics' is wearing very thin already and not reflecting well on Miliband's judgement. Cooper and Balls must be seething.

OP posts:
tethersend · 20/01/2011 18:53

maggie, was he also swigging from a paper bag and shouting incoherently about 'brotherly love'? Were the nice trousers covered in piss? Possibly his own?

klauskinskiinthekinotech · 20/01/2011 18:49

My reaction... good news as he was clearly out of his depth. But Ed Balls, chief arse wiper for Gordo as replacement takes the bloody Biscuit but of course he has immpecable credentials doesn't he?

huddspur · 20/01/2011 18:46

I think its good for Labour, I like Alan Johnson but a chancellor in waiting he was not.

FiveFeetTwo · 20/01/2011 18:39

Ed Balls is truly awful. I know he knows his stuff but he's just wrong for the job.

I think the tories will be chinking their glasses of fizz this evening.

maggiethecat · 20/01/2011 18:31

What is David doing anyway? Was on tube today and felt the presence of a bloke as he sat down beside me and while I was busily reading the Metro caught sight of a nice pair of trousers and a weighty looking tome out of the corner of my eye. It wasn't until I was getting off the train that I noticed that it was David.

alex1986 · 20/01/2011 18:31

Was having a man of the people the wisest move for Shadow Chancellor? I'm not so sure, maybe Ed Balls will do a better job, the country doesn't need nice, it needs fixing

Inertia · 20/01/2011 18:30

I agree with Reclaiming, Ed Miliband is there for the interim period while Labour spend a couple of terms in the wilderness. I suspect the Tories are getting all the privatisation disguised as deficit reduction brutal cuts out of the way early doors in order to do some electorate-buttering in about 3.5 years time, they will probably get back in and Ed will step down.

Alan Johnson comes across as one of the good guys but it wasn't the right role for him. I wish him and his family well though, hope they don't suffer too badly with the scandal-chasers who are bound to be lurking.

Alouiseg · 20/01/2011 18:15

I wonder if he's ill actually, pure conjecture but there hasn't been a whiff of a scandal ...so far.

zanz1bar · 20/01/2011 18:12

Whatever the reason may be, his poor family are going to be hunted by journalists looking for dirt for the next few days. All for tomorrows fish n chip paper.

AngeChica · 20/01/2011 18:11

He had a little bit of integrity. Rare in a politico.

Original poster
Chil1234 · 20/01/2011 17:57

@Alouiseg... gently nudged, I expect. He never looked comfortable in the role and if he does have personal problems (will be reading the Sundays with interest) then Ed will have seized the opportunity to suggest a quieter life.

Ed Balls will be a better opponent for George Osborne who will now up his game. Win win all round.

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ReclaimingMyInnerPeachy · 20/01/2011 17:37

I don;t think Ed is right to fight the next election but I think he's a damn good interim position holder before the real candidate gets in (Yvette Cooper).

Alan Johnson- I like him, as a person; perhapos not as SC but liking a politician atm is pretty - well there ain't many LOL

Jacaqueen · 20/01/2011 17:30

That's what I thought Buda.

I bet Gideon is peeing his pants!

Alouiseg · 20/01/2011 17:28

Did he jump? Or was he pushed?

Swedes1 · 20/01/2011 17:26

He's done the right thing, he was completely wrong for shadow chancellor post.

I wish him well.

Buda · 20/01/2011 17:24

I thought it was nice of him to resign now. Takes all the political heat/media attention off a certain MNer!

pinkteddy · 20/01/2011 17:23

blimey that's a bit of a shock. Usually spending time with the family is code for not happy with whatever is going on. I've met Alan, he's a lovely guy but I was very surprised at him being given the Chancellor brief. Can't wait to see Ed Balls going for Gideon!!

Original poster
Chil1234 · 20/01/2011 16:59

Does this mean he's quit? Johnson leaves front bench

OP posts:
imright · 13/01/2011 15:42

Alan Johnson should have stuck to delivering letters!Grin

Original poster
Chil1234 · 13/01/2011 15:38

After they've left office they can say what may have been previously thought unsayable within the party or unpopular with the electorate. I think Osborne is therefore making the better go of it at the moment. He is not courting popularity internally, externally or wasting too much time being mealy-mouthed...

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LadyBlaBlah · 13/01/2011 12:43

I just saw Alistair DArling on the Politics Show and he was remarkably impressive

What is it about leaving office and becoming a reasonable politician? They all do it

sarah293 · 12/01/2011 19:35

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complimentary · 12/01/2011 19:30

Riven. There is already a book out called 'Economics for Dummies!' Perhaps we could all club together, buy copies and send them to both Chanchellors! Grin

complimentary · 12/01/2011 19:26

Chili1234. His 'stage persona' is him! he obviously does not know the basics of his job.

Politicians (most of them) don't know any more about economics than you or I! Grin

sarah293 · 12/01/2011 17:10

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