“ If you want a Labour leader who can win the next election then start by answering the question: who do the Tories fear most?”

[BertrandRussell]

Matt Ford just posted this on Twitter.

Who do you think? I think it has, sadly, to be someone who looks and sounds like them and can fight them on their territory. Has to be Kier Starmer.

Boris comes across as very well educated with his use of historical facts and his play on words and the use of words that most of us to not use

Do you mean he doesn’t come across as intelligent?

Working class voters will vote for a London elite PM they just have and will again if they believe they are being listened to - this is the tricky part do they change their stance on the EU

Oh yes and Jarvis

He may now feel he can put himself forward before he wasn’t in a position to

I’d say somebody northern, probably male and very business-y rather than “oxford degree career politician”.

I think Dan Jarvis would have really broad cross appeal but he ruled himself out previously didn’t he, due to his kids sadly losing their mother.

I do like Kier, but do fear he is too London centric liberal metropolitan elite to win back the north

“ I do like Kier, but do fear he is too London centric liberal metropolitan elite to win back the north”
What- the north that just voted for a party led by Boris Johnson?

twitter.com/undertheraedar/status/1205430939242893312

This in an interesting visual. Yes, the big message is that Labour lost its hold on the North, but just look at its hold (or lack of) on the middle.

Who do the Tories fear most - Leo Varadakar. They are riding high now on a big majority. They won't think about Labour for some time as there is no neef. Their focus will be Brexit. My view is that if the don't deliver Brexit and keep extending departure they will lose the old Labour vote. If they deliver Brexit and it proves a disaster they will lose the old Labour vote. If they deliver Brexit and people don't see any difference to their lives they will probably retain the old Labour vote

I think they will chose a woman.
Just because they think it’s the right thing to do.
So having said that Yvette Cooper.

Someone who’s not a far-left lunatic.

We did try to warn you that an extremist like Corbyn would lead the Labour Party to one of its worst defeats in history and - what do you know? - we were 100% right!

I've already said this on another thread. The Labour party are run by Momentum. They will pick Rebecca Long-Bailey.
And us northerners will not be voting for that. I think Burnham will stay in Manchester until after Labour have lost the next election.
Then he'll make his move.

Mominatrix

Hilary Benn??? You must be having a laugh. Readthiswhich is happening in his constituency!

I've just read that article and am so shocked that is happening there. Disgusting.

Did Hilary Benn approve the Managed Approach/Zone?

My understanding is the PLP vote on the candidates and I don't think momentum is on the PLP? After PLP then it goes to membership which includes momentum and a host of other members. Can't see PLP supporting someone they think is too left but also they won't want anyone associated with the Blair years of Iraq. So my guess is Keir.

But the voters who tipped the election are not classic tories are they

Surely Labour need to self reflect on why they can't connect with people anymore?

People argue the tories as are, are very Liberal and lefty

Whoever said that sounds lost and is just another Labour person who is so entrenched they just don't get it.
Preaching to the wrong crowd. Politics and people have moved on.

.. What the North who just voted for Boris Johnson...

It's interesting what people see and perceive.
I see someone personable and bumbling and bright. Shallow view of Boris.. Kier I see as patronising, condescending and cold, removed.

And someone who knows better.

Betrand I do enjoy your posts, it's an insight into the type of mentally in labour right now.

A far far better strategy for Labour would be instead of looking at whoever the tories fear most, even though after such a strong clear win labour won't be on their radar for years... Perhaps look at who normal average people would like to see run labour.

Names that crop up but never on these threads for instance

Sectors of the British population are just too misogynistic to vote for a woman.

Thatcher? May? You mean sectors of the Labour membership, I think.

RaiseaGlasstoFreedom who would be your preferred candidate?

I get a vote on this and I don't give a fuck what anyone thinks of my 'mentality', thanks

Dan Jarvis has a fantastic 'story', from the political perspective. Not oxbridge, not public school but intellectually able and full of public service as a veteran. He's from the Midlands not the South and has known personal loss. I would have said he'd scare the Torres. Do you want to put Boris and his philandering up against That! But the party need to get out of the momentum trap first.......

My favourites would be:

Yvette Cooper
Keir Starmer
Dan Jarvis

However, my fear is that Corbyn is hanging in there so he can ensure that Momentum's favourite Bailey-Long gets it.

The fundamental issue is that the Tory party listen to the electorate and produce a leader/manifesto that plays to what they want to hear (ruthlessly dispatching leaders/policies that don't hit the mark).

The Labour Party listen to the membership, lobby groups like momentum and trade unions and produce leaders/policies they they think they can "educate" the electorate into liking/voting for on the basis of a "woke" sense of social morality/justice that simply doesn't resonate and comes across as arrogant and condescending.

They then wonder why the electorate tells them to piss off.

I say this as a former party member and Labour Voter.....

Raiseaglass

I'm impressed by Keir Starmer so far - I think he could be a good unity candidate, not overly associated with the left, but not rushing to trash them either. I think his legal background would stand him well when it comes to being an effective opposition.

I feel like someone should point out to Emily Thornberry that saying "I told you so" is never a good start to building consensus.

I wonder if Keir Starmer as leader (to attract the 'centre' and scare the Tories with a reasonably charismatic white male leader) and then a shadow cabinet packed with mouthy northern women would be an ideal combination.