To feel very sad that Margaret Becket isn't deputy leader of the Labour Party, instead of Angela Rayner?

[MaMaLa321]

I listened to Margaret Becket's speech at the start of the Labour Conference this morning. Reasoned, intelligent and temperate.
(I watched it live, and can't find a link yet - apologies).
Then read the transcript of Angela Rayner's speech at what seemed to be a fringe meeting yesterday, which was the absolute opposite. No reason. No intelligence. Just a rant.
I'm very off the party at the moment, but Beckett made me think again, while Rayner - well - who would that attract, apart from those who were already going to vote Labour (and feel very smug about it in the process)?
Of course, the latter speech gets loads of media coverage, which is just what the Party doesn't need.

Agree that AB is probably their best shot at winning an election at this point. I liked KS but he has not been a good political leader, his talents lie elsewhere. Not a huge fan of AB, but it seems clear that they are not going to win next election with KS as leader.

Burnham ticks all the boxes - charismatic, forceful, northern, previous experience of government - if he could persuade some of his cohort of MPs to return to Parliament with him, Labour would stand a real chance.

@PermanentTemporary

We have a panic buying food and supply crisis, 100 deaths a day and queues in the cold outside A&E and we're all talking about Raynor being a bit rude at a meeting? ?

Appears being an uppity woman is a far worse crime.

@PermanentTemporary

We have a panic buying food and supply crisis, 100 deaths a day and queues in the cold outside A&E and we're all talking about Raynor being a bit rude at a meeting? ?

And that is the people fault, how? It’s the opposition’s fault that they are so in component that they can’t the public on side, even now. As long as the opposition has people like Rayner in it, you can expect more of the same.

I'm in absolute despair over the state of the Labour Party. As a lifelong supporter I'm just reaching the point where I think they are unelectable and not worthy of my vote anymore. The infighting is just horrible to watch, the Left of the party seem to care more about defeating the Right of the Labour Party than defeating the Tories. They're all caught up in the trap of identity politics which does not win votes and I'm sick of women's concerns being downplayed. Angela Raynor is an embarrassment, her backstory does absolutely nothing for me and I'm sure that's the same for most voters, she's like someone who'd end up in a fight down the pub at the end of the night if you caught her on the wrong day. Yvette Cooper is the type of politician I want to see, calm, clever, details focussed and tough as old boots when holding people to account. I have to say I think Labour is on its way out. The only thing that cheers me is that I think the Conservatives are too, they've lurched to the right and squandered all the things that made them so electable for so long. Where we go from here? You tell me! Hopefully towards electoral reform and new parties that don't come with all the baggage of the two we have now. All I know is that I am completely politically homeless.

This is a golden opportunity for the Lib Dems to step up as a credible alternative if they could but take it.

@LizzieW1969

This is a golden opportunity for the Lib Dems to step up as a credible alternative if they could but take it.

What, all 12 of them?

I meant that it’s a golden opportunity to win back voters who are unhappy with Boris but don’t want to vote Labour, the way it is now. The former Tory remain voters as an example. They’re pretty much homeless now.

Not that they’re going to suddenly become the main opposition in Parliament, they have never been that.

Regardless of which political party is in power, we need an effective opposition. Rayner is a liability and makes the current opposition unelectable - it's not the first time she's fired off an insult instead of a coherent response.

I am not a fan of Boris either, so the fact that Labour have stuffed up their chances with Rayner is not good news for me.

@Biker47 I’m not a fan of Rayner, but this comment of yours is disgusting: Especially one with a background such as hers. What you are saying here is she shouldn’t call someone scum because her background makes her scum. It’s the only way to interpret it.
Someone from a poor background who made some mistakes is not scum. I’m more inclined to think that someone such as yourself with those views deserves to be called it, to be honest.

I read it differently - not that her background makes her scum, but that her background means she will understand the history and context of the word. And I agree. I’m a floating voter - have voted Tory, Labour and Lib Dem at various times and am currently politically homeless. I am also a Northerner and think calling people scum in this way has no place in politics.

Blossomtoes and?

And what? That is my observation on Burnham. Struggling to see why being a male backstabber is superior to being a female backstabber.

Angela's reply to Trevor Phillips as to why she thought it ok to use that sort of language sounded like something my 8 year older son would come up with to try to excuse him losing his shit, basically 'because they say nasty words too'

@C8H10N4O2

Blossomtoes and?

And what? That is my observation on Burnham. Struggling to see why being a male backstabber is superior to being a female backstabber.

I thought we were discussing who’d be Labour’s best hope for getting elected. That’s all I want. I’m happy with someone with the integrity to stand up for what they believe in and go against the leadership.

@VitalsStable

Angela's reply to Trevor Phillips as to why she thought it ok to use that sort of language sounded like something my 8 year older son would come up with to try to excuse him losing his shit, basically 'because they say nasty words too'

Because that’s as far as her intellect will stretch. And no, that observation has nothing to do with her background. People from any background can lack intellect, and she just happens to come from a working class background. She should not be immune from being called out for being thick as mince.

Whilst she was ranting my eyes were drawn to her shoes. Red soled Lamboutin which must have cost quite a bit.

@SophieJo

Whilst she was ranting my eyes were drawn to her shoes. Red soled Lamboutin which must have cost quite a bit.

So why isn’t she allowed to have nice shoes? That’s twice or three times her appearance has been mentioned on this thread - why is it relevant?

Angela Rayner is awful. And I say this as someone who hates hates hates Boris. She’s not to person to get him out. Why can’t Labour see this

Angela Raynor is clearly a supreme egotist, because her words have totally overshadowed the whole of the first day of the labour Party Conference. She is obviously someone who thrives with being famous!

If this is true she could not care less that her 'Class Warfare' Speech. Thus. has probably made millions think that despite this Government being bad, thank Fuck we don't have a Government with Angela Raynor involved.

Angela Raynor is not qualified to be 'Shadow Dog Walking Minister' Imagine her calling a Jack Russell 'Tory Scum' and Racist for turning its back on the big black Rottweiler .

She is saying what many people think. Sorry if that offends.

@Zzzexhaustedzzz

She is saying what many people think. Sorry if that offends.

I agree. I certainly agree with her sentiments.

@KingsleyShacklebolt

Margaret Beckett is an intelligent, educated woman with oodles of experience and the gravitas you'd expect from a serious politician.

Angela Rayner is a yob.

Exactly.

Janesquare: I thought it was normal customary practice that a perspective M.P had to previously stand in her seat where they had little or no chance.

Thus, if Angela Raynor was parachuted in Ashton-Under Lyne without any other experience of any other elections, it is disgraceful ! Also why would you parachute a person into a seat when they do not posses any extraordinary skills or talents,

In a seat where they have little or no chance in.

@peewitsandy she was given Ashton because she had the union backing. Labour seats are divided between Unite and Unison and it's unusual for anyone to get a seat without union backing.

I don't know why my post was deleted as every word was true.