MP joins Ed Miliband camp (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton MP Alan Whitehead backs Ed Miliband in Labour leadership contest
10:35am Tuesday 18th May 2010 in News
MP Alan Whitehead
SOUTHAMPTON Test MP Alan Whitehead is backing former Energy Secretary Ed Miliband for the leadership of the Labour Party.
Dr Whitehead, below left, said Mr Miliband, right, was the best person to bring voters back to the party in the south.
Mr Miliband, who declared his candidacy at the weekend, is considered more radical on environmental and social justice issues than his brother, former Foreign Secretary David, who is also standing. Other candidates are expected to include former schools secretary Ed Balls and backbencher Jon Cruddas.
Dr Whitehead, who is among 14 MPs to have thrown their weight behind Ed Miliband’s campaign, told the Daily Echo: “Ed has a more radical view of how the labour movement takes its message forward. It is a long-standing challenge for Labour to make its message resonate in the south of England and Ed represents the way I think the Labour Party should go in future.”
The MP suggested Labour had failed to address voters' concerns about housing, transport, environment, immigration and the labour force, all of which would have to be tackled to win back support.
Southampton Itchen MP and former Communities Secretary John Denham has ruled out standing for the Labour leadership – but vowed to get stuck in to the debate over the future direction of the party.
The MP has said he knows who he wants to succeed Gordon Brown as leader – but will wait before revealing his preferred candidate so he can speak more freely about what Labour needs to do to rebuild its support in the south.
Comments(28)
Lone Ranger
says...
10:44am Tue 18 May 10
southy wrote:Southy as i undestand it the voting is between three groups. Union, MPs and the Labour membership.
How about letting the unions rank and file, decide who should lead the labour party, and not the mp's.
southy
says...
11:37am Tue 18 May 10
Lone Ranger wrote:union rank and file don,t get the count. like the way they use to, like i never got the choice to vote on when blair became leader of the labour party, or smith. and i did not vote for kinnock i went the other way, and voted for the left.
southy wrote:Southy as i undestand it the voting is between three groups. Union, MPs and the Labour membership.
How about letting the unions rank and file, decide who should lead the labour party, and not the mp's.
remember thatcher interfered with union rules on how they could select its leadership in the unions and selecting labour mp's and leadership.
and the labour party have very few left now, 99% of them have been kick out of the labour party.
Elgy
says...
11:55am Tue 18 May 10
Adrian Smith
says...
12:01pm Tue 18 May 10
southy wrote:If these changes Mrs T implemented were such a big deal why didn't the socialists change them during the past 13 years?
Lone Ranger wrote:union rank and file don,t get the count. like the way they use to, like i never got the choice to vote on when blair became leader of the labour party, or smith. and i did not vote for kinnock i went the other way, and voted for the left. remember thatcher interfered with union rules on how they could select its leadership in the unions and selecting labour mp's and leadership. and the labour party have very few left now, 99% of them have been kick out of the labour party.southy wrote: How about letting the unions rank and file, decide who should lead the labour party, and not the mp's.Southy as i undestand it the voting is between three groups. Union, MPs and the Labour membership.
wheresthemoneygone
says...
12:18pm Tue 18 May 10
southy
says...
12:31pm Tue 18 May 10
Adrian Smith wrote:adrian there has not been 13 years years of socialism, we had 30 years of capitalism
southy wrote:If these changes Mrs T implemented were such a big deal why didn't the socialists change them during the past 13 years?
Lone Ranger wrote:union rank and file don,t get the count. like the way they use to, like i never got the choice to vote on when blair became leader of the labour party, or smith. and i did not vote for kinnock i went the other way, and voted for the left. remember thatcher interfered with union rules on how they could select its leadership in the unions and selecting labour mp's and leadership. and the labour party have very few left now, 99% of them have been kick out of the labour party.southy wrote: How about letting the unions rank and file, decide who should lead the labour party, and not the mp's.Southy as i undestand it the voting is between three groups. Union, MPs and the Labour membership.
southy
says...
12:34pm Tue 18 May 10
wheresthemoneygone wrote:agreed on the pompous middle class,
Oh no, more pompous priviledged, middle-class career politicians - let's have somone who has experienced life and has some wisdom.But then again it's only common sense, that's old fashioned and not glitzy enough.With most of those who represent the ordinary working man and woman or anybody with a hint of socialism kicked out of the party - the Labour Party has become redundant. Joins the Greens now!
the best man to lead the labour party john mcdonnell. but he will not get a chance because of the right wing control of the labour party.
Cyber-Fug
says...
1:02pm Tue 18 May 10
Paramjit Bahia
says...
1:09pm Tue 18 May 10
Adrian Smith wrote:Because deep down in their hearts they worship Thatcher more than even the Tories do.
southy wrote:If these changes Mrs T implemented were such a big deal why didn't the socialists change them during the past 13 years?Lone Ranger wrote:union rank and file don,t get the count. like the way they use to, like i never got the choice to vote on when blair became leader of the labour party, or smith. and i did not vote for kinnock i went the other way, and voted for the left. remember thatcher interfered with union rules on how they could select its leadership in the unions and selecting labour mp's and leadership. and the labour party have very few left now, 99% of them have been kick out of the labour party.southy wrote: How about letting the unions rank and file, decide who should lead the labour party, and not the mp's.Southy as i undestand it the voting is between three groups. Union, MPs and the Labour membership.
Paramjit Bahia
says...
1:17pm Tue 18 May 10
Spot O'Bother
says...
1:36pm Tue 18 May 10
sw shop-talk
southy
says...
1:40pm Tue 18 May 10
Paramjit Bahia wrote:very true, it would look more favourably for him, if he back mcdonnell
At least Alan Whitehead has the courage to be honest about which de facto Tory he will be supporting. John Denham as usual is sitting on the fence, trying to work out which camp will be more suitable for his own future. You got to admire the man's commitment to self preservation.
TEBOURBA
says...
3:15pm Tue 18 May 10
I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues.
By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary.
He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.
geoff51
says...
3:52pm Tue 18 May 10
TEBOURBA wrote:To be perfectly honest with our 2 remaining Labour MP's for this area, any support for any candidate for leader
Alan Whitehead's only claim to fame whilst being a MP, is anonimity and invisibility. I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues. By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary. He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.
would be a death knell as they are 2 of the most invisible lacklustre MP's They have never really represented their city and like all Labour politians are only in it for their own ends.
How much longer are we going to see the bickering within the Labour party over their leader, to be perfectly honest Labour are destined to be in opposition for a very long time judged on their record over the last 13 years
Walter Kurtz
says...
3:58pm Tue 18 May 10
southy
says...
4:39pm Tue 18 May 10
geoff51 wrote:labour will be back in power before the end off 2012.
TEBOURBA wrote:To be perfectly honest with our 2 remaining Labour MP's for this area, any support for any candidate for leader
Alan Whitehead's only claim to fame whilst being a MP, is anonimity and invisibility. I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues. By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary. He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.
would be a death knell as they are 2 of the most invisible lacklustre MP's They have never really represented their city and like all Labour politians are only in it for their own ends.
How much longer are we going to see the bickering within the Labour party over their leader, to be perfectly honest Labour are destined to be in opposition for a very long time judged on their record over the last 13 years
Maine Lobster
says...
4:43pm Tue 18 May 10
If you had been a Southampton resident & had been involved with either of the MP's, I would have respected your comment.
Cyber-Fug
says...
5:44pm Tue 18 May 10
southy wrote:For the sake of UK plc I hope you prediction is as accurate as your "there will be a huge upset with the TUSC gaining seats" prediction in the run up to the election.
geoff51 wrote:labour will be back in power before the end off 2012.
TEBOURBA wrote:To be perfectly honest with our 2 remaining Labour MP's for this area, any support for any candidate for leader
Alan Whitehead's only claim to fame whilst being a MP, is anonimity and invisibility. I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues. By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary. He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.
would be a death knell as they are 2 of the most invisible lacklustre MP's They have never really represented their city and like all Labour politians are only in it for their own ends.
How much longer are we going to see the bickering within the Labour party over their leader, to be perfectly honest Labour are destined to be in opposition for a very long time judged on their record over the last 13 years
With regards to Whitehead, I have emailed him on four occasions and left a couple of telephone messages for him over the last couple of years and received not ONE reply. Infact, I have only ever seen him once actually doing anything for Southampton...... and that was cheering them on in the JPT Final from his free issue club Wembley seat !
geoff51
says...
8:16pm Tue 18 May 10
Maine Lobster wrote:I was born and brought up and lived in Shirley up until 10 years ago and my Family traded in Freemantle for over 100 years, so I am in aposition to judge from inside and outside the city. Also I still work in the City centre now.
You have no right to judge the performance of Southampton MP's as you live in Totton and therefore are represented by the Conservative constituency of New Forest East, I believe? If you had been a Southampton resident & had been involved with either of the MP's, I would have respected your comment.
I only moved out to Totton for a better and quieter lifestyle, I still stand by my judgement of Southamptons 2 invisible MP's
geoff51
says...
8:19pm Tue 18 May 10
southy wrote:About as likely as your Socialist worker chums have of being elected as an MP
geoff51 wrote:labour will be back in power before the end off 2012.TEBOURBA wrote: Alan Whitehead's only claim to fame whilst being a MP, is anonimity and invisibility. I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues. By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary. He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.To be perfectly honest with our 2 remaining Labour MP's for this area, any support for any candidate for leader would be a death knell as they are 2 of the most invisible lacklustre MP's They have never really represented their city and like all Labour politians are only in it for their own ends. How much longer are we going to see the bickering within the Labour party over their leader, to be perfectly honest Labour are destined to be in opposition for a very long time judged on their record over the last 13 years
Condor Man
says...
8:36pm Tue 18 May 10
Cyber-Fug wrote:I've only ever seen him in Waitrose! I'd like to see Ed Balls as Labour leader as he'll alienate a lot of the electorate as his mentor Brown did.
southy wrote:For the sake of UK plc I hope you prediction is as accurate as your "there will be a huge upset with the TUSC gaining seats" prediction in the run up to the election. With regards to Whitehead, I have emailed him on four occasions and left a couple of telephone messages for him over the last couple of years and received not ONE reply. Infact, I have only ever seen him once actually doing anything for Southampton...... and that was cheering them on in the JPT Final from his free issue club Wembley seat !geoff51 wrote:labour will be back in power before the end off 2012.TEBOURBA wrote: Alan Whitehead's only claim to fame whilst being a MP, is anonimity and invisibility. I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues. By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary. He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.To be perfectly honest with our 2 remaining Labour MP's for this area, any support for any candidate for leader would be a death knell as they are 2 of the most invisible lacklustre MP's They have never really represented their city and like all Labour politians are only in it for their own ends. How much longer are we going to see the bickering within the Labour party over their leader, to be perfectly honest Labour are destined to be in opposition for a very long time judged on their record over the last 13 years
Neither Milliband has the gravitas to take on Cameron, although David is a lot more experienced.
Exactly what did the good doctor do for his PhD? He 'taught' at the old Institute before finally scraping past James Hill.
Iw61
says...
9:20pm Tue 18 May 10
Spot O'Bother wrote:What are 'overweening Unions'?
No more overweening unions. Thank you Maggie.
sw shop-talk
Iw61
says...
9:25pm Tue 18 May 10
Walter Kurtz wrote:My point exactly.
Lots of criticism for Whitehead & Denham on here.....but they have continually seen off numerous opponents at Election time - must be doing something right!
Im no fan of the New Labour pair but Southampton still is a Labour city!!
After 3 terms of government and the worst recession in two to three generations, Messrs Moulton and Smith still couldnt unseat them. Plus all the money unelected tax dodger Lord Ashcroft poured into the election.
What must Tories do to win these seats again? (apart from boringly say they are 'invisible')
Condor Man
says...
9:29pm Tue 18 May 10
Iw61 wrote:I don't think a majority of 192 is an indictment of Denham's success as an MP. In your own area you'll know full well that the Tories dominate local politics and have done so for the past 5 years.
Walter Kurtz wrote: Lots of criticism for Whitehead & Denham on here.....but they have continually seen off numerous opponents at Election time - must be doing something right!My point exactly. Im no fan of the New Labour pair but Southampton still is a Labour city!! After 3 terms of government and the worst recession in two to three generations, Messrs Moulton and Smith still couldnt unseat them. Plus all the money unelected tax dodger Lord Ashcroft poured into the election. What must Tories do to win these seats again? (apart from boringly say they are 'invisible')
southy
says...
12:00am Wed 19 May 10
Condor Man wrote:Well the most off this tory government it be the last you see off them for at lest 2 generation and with luck for good.
Iw61 wrote:I don't think a majority of 192 is an indictment of Denham's success as an MP. In your own area you'll know full well that the Tories dominate local politics and have done so for the past 5 years.
Walter Kurtz wrote: Lots of criticism for Whitehead & Denham on here.....but they have continually seen off numerous opponents at Election time - must be doing something right!My point exactly. Im no fan of the New Labour pair but Southampton still is a Labour city!! After 3 terms of government and the worst recession in two to three generations, Messrs Moulton and Smith still couldnt unseat them. Plus all the money unelected tax dodger Lord Ashcroft poured into the election. What must Tories do to win these seats again? (apart from boringly say they are 'invisible')
allsaintsnocurves
says...
2:45pm Wed 19 May 10
TEBOURBA wrote:2 words - Re - Count!
Alan Whitehead's only claim to fame whilst being a MP, is anonimity and invisibility. I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues. By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary. He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.
Denham hung onto his seat by 200 after a re-count with one of the biggest swings to the Tories...i'm not sure he'd be the right choice.
As many can jump into the race as they like but it will come down to a straight fight between David Milliband and Ed Balls...mark my words! DM would be my shout just because Ed Balls would be a bit of a laughing stock overseas with a name like that!
southy
says...
3:57pm Wed 19 May 10
allsaintsnocurves wrote:and if smithy kept his mouth shut it would of been closer result. he called for two recounts and both never went his way.
TEBOURBA wrote:2 words - Re - Count!
Alan Whitehead's only claim to fame whilst being a MP, is anonimity and invisibility. I cannot recall anything of benefit that he has done for Southampton, he has never showed any mettle in going out on a limb and opposing controversial issues. By contrast John Denham is a highly principled and respected man, his resignation in opposition to the Iraq War when Tories and Whitehead supported it, his work rate, commitment to both his Party and his constituency and his Parliamentary record are exemplary. He woulld make a first class Leader and Prime Minister and I urge him put his name forward as a candidate.
Denham hung onto his seat by 200 after a re-count with one of the biggest swings to the Tories...i'm not sure he'd be the right choice.
As many can jump into the race as they like but it will come down to a straight fight between David Milliband and Ed Balls...mark my words! DM would be my shout just because Ed Balls would be a bit of a laughing stock overseas with a name like that!
southy says...
10:39am Tue 18 May 10