For US DU'ers following the UK PM Election: Meet Brown's challenger, John McDonnell

[Greeby]

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labourleadership/story/0,,2079253,00.html

Gordon Brown is set to face a contest for the leadership after Michael Meacher tonight stood aside to give John McDonnell a clear shot at the leftwing vote.

Mr McDonnell urged Labour MPs to back his campaign, insisting it was an "issue of democracy".

"What we are doing today is launching an appeal to Labour MPs to nominate the only candidate that there is to ensure that there is an election for the leader of the Labour party," he said.

"We are doing that not just because we want them to support our political platform, but also because, if they don't nominate, hundreds of thousands of party members and trade unionists will be denied the opportunity to vote for the leader of this party.

"This is an issue of democracy."-snip-



http://www.john4leader.org.uk/ - campaign website
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn6pN7Ra25w - opening speech from leadership hustings (debate) with Brown and Michael Meacher, who has since stepped aside


My best way of summing McDonnell up would be: Imagine George Galloway without the massive ego or appallingly low vote atendance record

[annabanana]

1. I wish I understood better how the British system works...

So.. Brown goes against McDonnell for leadership of the Labour Party.. Does the Labour Party candidate then go up against another Party's candidate for the position of Prime Minister?

[Greeby]

2. No, whoever wins goes to the Queen upon Blair's formal resignation

And asks her permission to form a new government. Now a new Prime Minister can call a snap election, but that usually only happens if they think they can win, the Liberal Democrats have a parliamentary motion calling for such an election.

[T_i_B]

5. Does the Labour Party candidate then go up against another Party's candidate for the position of PM?

No, because Labour already won a majority in 2005. The next general election will either be in 2009 or 2010. Therefore whoever is leader of Labour is leader of the majority in parliament and therefore becomes PM.

There are Tories and Lib Dems who are calling for a snap election, but to be perfectly frank that's just s**t-stirring for the sake of it and there's no need for another general election just yet. We all knew back in 2005 that Blair would be stepping aside at some point in this parliament.

[mrfrapp]

3. Interview

The Independent opened its regular reader's forum to Mr McDonnell. I've highlighted the answer probably of most interest to DU readers.

What would you do about Iraq now, given the disaster Blair's government has helped to create? MADELEINE AVELING, Herts

Based upon the US Democratic Party's new policy, I'd appeal to the world via the UN to assist us in withdrawing troops from Iraq - bring Iran, Syria and others into negotiations to provide for stability and a secure peace - and ensure that the Iraqis have control over their own country and its economy.

...and a surprisingly frank answer to a divisive question...

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? SARAH CLARKE, by email

Yes. I went to university in the Seventies and you'd have to be a recluse to avoid it. I occasionally smoked cannabis, but gave it up along with tobacco as all it did was make me giggle. Like the Indy, I'm worried stiff about this new skunk.

More...

http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article2539341.ece

[Greeby]

4. Probably the only political figure I can think of

That can use drug slang and not sound stupid