I was disheartened and very disappointed to hear that Diane Abbott has decided to run for Labour leader. As I tweeted this morning this decision will inevitably split the vote on the Left. How principled is Abbott, well she supported the privatisation of the East London Line. Sent her son to a private school.
Furthermore
The Guardian understands that Abbott has caused some disquiet by failing to have a courtesy discussion with her local constituency party executive prior to declaring her intention to stand, with some on the left fearing her decision will result in neither of the leftwing candidates ending up on the ballot paper.
John McDonnell has welcomed Diane’s candidacy
If the Labour Party rules were about creating vibrant debate between the various points of view that are bound to exist in a “broad church” Abbott’s standing would have been a good idea. The problem is that she has entered the contest without any comradely discussion with anyone. Does she anticipate getting votes from the Left? How does she propose to deal with the right wing. Where is her record of teamwork in organising with ordinary party members? To whom does she see herself as accountable? How does she see herself as being accountable? In this respect she suffers in comparison with the likes of John McDonnell and Katy Clark.
No one wants a sop controlled by others as a party leader. We do want someone who thinks for themselves. But the left needs someone who does work with others and as part of an organised movement. Otherwise they will be a weak leader of a weak movement.
The left always make this mistake – fragmentation dilutes the vote. It lets down the people who need the protection of left-wing government the most:
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_20100323
Indeed Tim
John had some very attack-worthy things to say about the IRA. Principled and open-minded though they may have been, in this world of terrorism paranoia, I am fairly confident they would make him unelectable.
And he voted for the Digital Economy Bill, one of the vilest pieces of corporate trash to come through Parliament in a while.
In other words, St John isn’t exactly immaculate.