Aibu to think that it is about time Labour had a female leader ?

[frumpet]

And if they did who should they pick in your opinion ?

""My eldest kids had a very tough time when they lost their mum and I don't want them to lose their dad. I need some space for them, my wife and our youngest child right now, and I wouldn't have it as leader."

So, not this time. But one day.

I think Dan Jarvis is wise to rule himself out. IMO the next Labour leader has a hell of a job bringing all the different sides of the party especially the old Labour/New Labour split, and the "we didn't spent too much" versus the "Well we got it wrong on the Iraq war, immigration, the economy but we truly believe in fairness for all including migrants, the poor, women, the disabled etc" sides.

I also think that all those Scots who thought they voted anti-austerity but find the SNP waving their 56 seats about as an anti-unionist mandate might come back to the Labour party.

If it was me I would give the leadership challenge a miss this time and make my move in about 3.5 years.

In my eyes Dan's the man for that (but then I am a die-hard labour voter married to an ex-para).

He might even steal some of the ex forces vote from the right wing parties.

I think Labour as a dominant force is done for in Scotland tbh.

I've read that some people (including possibly Chukka Umma) are going to rule themselves out and hold back until 2020. Apparently CU might go for London Mayor.

I think it is a poisoned chalice. IDS did not have much luck when he took over from William Hague. Parties need a long time to recover from stuff like this.

Dan Jarvis next time then.

I am lolling at Joan with the 'polarized thinking' of the military, though.

The very fact that he is a Labour politician at all suggests that he will always be prepared to stand up for what he believes in and not follow any sort of establishment crowd. And ditto everyone else who says ex-military are the least likely to opt in for conflict. It's the cosy flabby armchair warriors you need to blame for that, not people who have actually lived it.

I've written an article on Labour and whether they should have a woman on the ticket. Comments very welcome: www.labourmum.wordpress.com or via @LabourMum on Twitter