The Labour Leader race is hotting up!

[ShadeofViolet]

So its not just going to be the Miliband show.

We now have 5 prospective leaders (Dianne Abbott, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham, David Miliband, Ed Miliband)

Who would get your vote?

Well yes exactly. But I don't think she is motivated by ego. Her consituency must be one of the most difficult in the country to work in. She also (I think) was the only Labour MP to up her majority in the last election so she must be doing something right!

I think she's easily the best in that field. I would vote for Labour if she were leader.

Second choice: anyone but that utter tosser Ed Balls.

It's true, if she hadn't sent her son to private school (like comprehensives in Hackney aren't that bad, teach your son some grind ffs) I wouldn't have such contempt for her.

Having met her and heard her debate I have to say she's an idiot and a liar. But without the school stuff at least she might have some principles.

On a subjective note, it has to be David Milliband.

1. He's tall.
2. He does TV.
3. He's right wing.

So he has 1 and 2 over the other candidates.

The private school thing was disappointing - I didn't agree with it, but I did understand it. Hackney comprehensives fail black boys. Even black boys from middle class backgrounds .

On balance, Abbott is more principled than most in politics.

I don't think Dianne Abbott's sons should be brought into it. Any parent would choose the right school for her child sometimes that means you have to move or to pay if the local school on offer just doesn't suit your child. Why blame her for being like any other parent?

Ah - didn't realise that, I stand corrected

Very glad to see Diane Abbot standing. Hilarious when she surprised the Today programme by announcing it live on air - Jim Naughtie gulped and actually said something about 'right, I don't really know what to ask you now'.

Nice contrast to the public schoolboy love-in coalition.

Every single one of them is tarred with Brown's brush. If I were a Labour voter, this would worry me. As a Conservative voter, I'm delighted, as it greatly reduces the chances of Labour making a comeback any time in the foreseeable future.

in what way is Diane 'tarred with Brown's brush', exactly? (Actually your phrasing's a bit dodgy there, when applied to a Black woman...)

I think DA was entirely right to do what she thought best for her own son. Private is a more honourable choice in my book than faith schools, the route away from the herd for too many politicians.

The only sensible option is Diane Abbott IMO. The others would just be more of the same. DA would be brilliant.

CF you really are talking through your arse.

How could Ed Balls get it when he's only got a small majority in his constituency? It'd be a massive risk.

@Edam, "tarred with Brown's brush" was used about all five by @BettyBizghetti. It would have been more worrying if she'd been talking about both the Balls being tarred with Brown's brush. ;P Agree with you about Naughtie, though: radio gold. He should have fielded it better than he did. I felt moved by the announcement of her candidacy.

Ed Balls would get a bigger majority as Leader of HM's Opposition, @gerontius. Tactically brilliant.

@Coolfonz, would be interested to know more about the basis for your two assertions.

If Diane Abbott a) does her research well, and b) can turn some serious Socialist convictions into party policy, I will be back on side. Could we have some nationalised industries, perhaps. Failing that, perhaps just some industry ...

I can't say I'm really that interested...
We know that opposition parties in our country have no power and virtually no influence. We've got a stable government for 5 years now -I might start taking an interest in four and a half years time.

Is Clare short still in parliament. She would be the best leader of the labour party.

have just checked and short stood down this election. What a pity.

yeah, and she's not been a member of the Labour party for some years, either. That really would be a shock result: non MP, non party member becomes leader of Labour.

Labour have got an ideal opportunity here to take a long hard look at where they went wrong recently. It has to decide where it wants to base itself.
Blair placed it at the centre, which although enraged the left, was the most popular stance for the electorate. Brown has pushed to the left, and the votes showed what the country thought of that.

Ed Balls is far too unpopular and is too associated with Brown.

Abbot would be an interesting choice. She would symbolise a move further to the left, I think. Fair enough if that's what the party decides, but what will the electorate think?

Milliband could be presented as the new moderate voice, which is what I suspect the party will go for. Vote pleaser.

Sadly we only get to vote for anyone who secures the backing of enough other Labour MPs. In the unlikely event they both get on the ballot paper I'd be torn between McDonnell and Abbott, I don't think either will win but at least it looks like being a contest this time round - that's got to be better for the party.