{UAH} POTENTIAL LABOUR LEADER: CHUKA UMMUNA
|
3:20 AM |
No comments |
WBK,
Here are the individuals being touted as the next leader of the Labour
Party, but watch out for Chuka Ummuna, the sleek and articulate
Steatham MP.Chuka is a flawless media performer, one of the very best
in the business. Effective communication was one of ED Miliband's
alleged weakneses, but you can not say this of Chuka. He is a better
comunicator and performer than Tony Blair. At 36 years of age, he is
not associated with any of the detritus of the Blair/Brown years. He
is also has support on both wings of the party, and for a lawyer, has
a very sharp grasp of his brief as Shadow Business Secretary. Chuka is
a son of a former Nigerian Governor who died in an accident in Lagos a
few years ago. His mother is an Irish Solicitor and he himself
practised law as a Solicitor before joining politics. He is a rare
breed of politician in that he represents the Streatham constituency
in South London where he was born,went to school and grew up. If
chosen, he would become the first ethnic minority leader of a major
political party in the UK.
George Okello
New StatesmanMenuClose
The StaggersCulturePoliticsBlogsCityMetric
Main menuHome
GibraltarGeneral Election 2015LabourMiddle EastThe SNPFeminismMedia
MoleTechThe StaggersPoliticsCityMetricCultureBlogsBusinessEventsPodcastMagazineMay2015Labour
unveil their first poster of the election campaignYou are hereReturn
to: Blogs| The StaggersThe Staggers
The New Statesman's rolling politics blog
RSS
Ed Miliband resigns: who will replace him as Labour leader?
The Labour leader has announced his resignation. Yvette Cooper, Dan
Jarvis, Andy Burnham, Chuka Umunna . . . Who could replace him?
by Anoosh Chakelian Published 8 May, 2015 - 12:22
Tweet Widget
Chuka Umunna could be in the running for next Labour leader. Photo:
GettyEd Miliband has resigned as leader of the Labour party, taking
effect after this afternoon's VE Day commemorations. Which Labour
figures are in the running to replace him? Here are the leading
contenders.
Andy Burnham
Shadow health secretary, MP for Leigh since 2001, former special
adviser to Tessa Jowell. Health Secretary, Chief Secretary to the
Treasury and other frontbench positions during New Labour years.
Burnham is the most likely to replace Ed Miliband, and has been
manoeuvring for a while. When his speech received three standing
ovations last party conference, an aide remarked to me: "A record for
a non-leader!"
He's the bookies' favourite to replace Miliband.
In spite of remaining in his post as shadow health secretary, Burnham
hasn't been popular among the Miliband inner circle or the
neo-Blairites. The former doesn't matter any more now, and the latter
is a symptom of how high his support is among the unions.
Strengths: Union support, northern working-class appeal, lovely eyelashes.
Weaknesses: Let private money into the NHS (he was health secretary
under Gordon Brown); a little too similar to Miliband with his
soft-left stance and New Labour background.
Read George Eaton's interview with him here.
Yvette Cooper
Shadow home secretary, MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford
since 1997. Former Housing Minister, Chief Secretary to the Treasury,
and Work and Pensions Secretary under Gordon Brown.
A senior figure, but nevertheless lacks a following in the
parliamentary Labour party. Other than Harriet Harman, Cooper is the
most senior woman in the party – and there is certainly an appetite
among MPs and supporters to have a woman in charge.
It is unclear what she stands for, as she keeps her cards very close
to her heart. She rarely does print interviews, in contrast to how
well-known her husband's colourful hinterland is.
Strengths: She could shore up the support of the Balls faction; she is
a woman; she is a senior politician; she is known for her loyalty.
Weaknesses: People don't know enough about her and what she stands for
– she has a reputation as a bit of a dull character because of this.
Read Lucy Fisher's interview with Yvette Cooper here.
Dan Jarvis
Shadow justice minister, won Barnsley Central by-election in 2011,
formerly a soldier.
An unlikely bet – he doesn't have a particularly strong following in
the party. But he has a compelling back story, with his Army
background. Hard to tell whether it would help or hinder him that he
is so difficult to pigeonhole in the party – he's a member of Unison,
Unite, the Fabian Society and the Co-operative Party, and Progress
vice-chair.
Strengths: Experience of war; fluid political associations; background
outside politics; neither linked to Labour's past nor really to
Miliband
Weaknesses: No following in the party; fluid political associations.
Read Xan Rice's interview with him here.
Chuka Umunna
Shadow business secretary, MP for Streatham since 2010, former city lawyer.
Another favourite for the leadership, Umunna is very much a brand.
That brand is smooth, modern, even a bit sexy. He is a slick performer
and impresses his colleagues as well as supporters. Yet his rise and
rise has caused some to suggest that he has flown too close to the sun
and his moment has passed.
Umunna is an interesting candidate politically in that he has Blairite
credentials but came up through the party's left flank, working for
the leftwing think tank Compass – and was probably closer to Gordon
Brown back then in his political outlook. He could use this to combine
the best of Blue Labour with the best of New Labour, but some are
suspicious about his politics being "all things to all men".
He has played the politics of opposition well, refusing to allow his
shadow business secretary role to turn him into a business stooge.
He's also a passionate defender of immigration, which will please many
on the party's left.
Strengths: A good media performer; well-known among the public; a new
face to lead the Labour party – it has never had an ethnic minority
leader.
Weaknesses: Too posh and smooth for a party that has attempted to
shift leftwards; arrogance associated with the "British Obama" story;
could get shafted by a more obvious Blairite candidate.
Read George Eaton's interview with him here.
Liz Kendall
Shadow minister for care and older people, former think tanker and
ex-special adviser to Harriet Harman and Patricia Hewitt.
An arch-Blairite, popular among the Blairite faction. Dedicated to her
role in the shadow health team, and has forged a lot of links in the
party. Ambitious and hardworking, and someone who has made many
connections since her time as a special adviser.
I hear she can be difficult to work with – and to work for – as her
ambition can make her challenging to deal with. This might make some
MPs think twice about making her their leader.
Strengths: Blairites in the party like her; her campaign would be
fierce; competent media performer.
Weaknesses: Can be hard work; will the party want to so overtly revert
to a New Labour leader?
Read Stephen Bush's interview with her here.
Tristram Hunt
Shadow education secretary, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central since 2010,
historian and broadcaster.
"What has he actually done?" is a common refrain among Labour insiders
that could scupper Hunt's chances. Though a charming (and attractive)
figure, Hunt hasn't quite managed to own his shadow frontbench role,
and he isn't seen as a conviction politician. He was notoriously
parachuted into his Stoke-on-Trent seat by central office in 2010. He
has a vaguely Blairite past in that he voted for David Miliband in the
last leadership election, but this won't be strong enough when up
against more obvious Blairite candidates.
Strengths: Telegenic – opposite of Ed Miliband in terms of appearance
and manner.
Weaknesses: Is the Labour party ready for a privately-educated leader
called Tristram?
Read Stephen Bush's interview with him here.
Stella Creasy
Shadow BIS minister, MP for Walthamstow since 2010, academic.
Creasy would represent a big break with the current party leadership.
She is an impressive MP, working hard for her constituents (she won a
stonking 23,000 majority this election) and also pushing tirelessly on
individual campaigns – her fight against payday loan companies being
the most well-known.
Young, Twitter-happy, and a renowned indie music lover, she is an
approachable and fresh candidate for the leadership. However, forever
a "rising star", she hasn't shot up through the party ranks, and this
is because she is seen as a bit of a lone operator by her fellow MPs.
There may not be enough of a support base there, although many of the
new MPs in the next parliament might provide the support she needs.
Strengths: Appeal beyond parliament; young, and a break from the past;
impressive work ethic and ambition; broad appeal.
Weaknesses: Lacks strong support base in the party.
Read Stella Creasy's articles for the New Statesman here. Read my
interview (for Total Politics) with her here.
The NS liveblog: General Election 2015 results
Tags:general election 2015
--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
Here are the individuals being touted as the next leader of the Labour
Party, but watch out for Chuka Ummuna, the sleek and articulate
Steatham MP.Chuka is a flawless media performer, one of the very best
in the business. Effective communication was one of ED Miliband's
alleged weakneses, but you can not say this of Chuka. He is a better
comunicator and performer than Tony Blair. At 36 years of age, he is
not associated with any of the detritus of the Blair/Brown years. He
is also has support on both wings of the party, and for a lawyer, has
a very sharp grasp of his brief as Shadow Business Secretary. Chuka is
a son of a former Nigerian Governor who died in an accident in Lagos a
few years ago. His mother is an Irish Solicitor and he himself
practised law as a Solicitor before joining politics. He is a rare
breed of politician in that he represents the Streatham constituency
in South London where he was born,went to school and grew up. If
chosen, he would become the first ethnic minority leader of a major
political party in the UK.
George Okello
New StatesmanMenuClose
The StaggersCulturePoliticsBlogsCityMetric
Main menuHome
GibraltarGeneral Election 2015LabourMiddle EastThe SNPFeminismMedia
MoleTechThe StaggersPoliticsCityMetricCultureBlogsBusinessEventsPodcastMagazineMay2015Labour
unveil their first poster of the election campaignYou are hereReturn
to: Blogs| The StaggersThe Staggers
The New Statesman's rolling politics blog
RSS
Ed Miliband resigns: who will replace him as Labour leader?
The Labour leader has announced his resignation. Yvette Cooper, Dan
Jarvis, Andy Burnham, Chuka Umunna . . . Who could replace him?
by Anoosh Chakelian Published 8 May, 2015 - 12:22
Tweet Widget
Chuka Umunna could be in the running for next Labour leader. Photo:
GettyEd Miliband has resigned as leader of the Labour party, taking
effect after this afternoon's VE Day commemorations. Which Labour
figures are in the running to replace him? Here are the leading
contenders.
Andy Burnham
Shadow health secretary, MP for Leigh since 2001, former special
adviser to Tessa Jowell. Health Secretary, Chief Secretary to the
Treasury and other frontbench positions during New Labour years.
Burnham is the most likely to replace Ed Miliband, and has been
manoeuvring for a while. When his speech received three standing
ovations last party conference, an aide remarked to me: "A record for
a non-leader!"
He's the bookies' favourite to replace Miliband.
In spite of remaining in his post as shadow health secretary, Burnham
hasn't been popular among the Miliband inner circle or the
neo-Blairites. The former doesn't matter any more now, and the latter
is a symptom of how high his support is among the unions.
Strengths: Union support, northern working-class appeal, lovely eyelashes.
Weaknesses: Let private money into the NHS (he was health secretary
under Gordon Brown); a little too similar to Miliband with his
soft-left stance and New Labour background.
Read George Eaton's interview with him here.
Yvette Cooper
Shadow home secretary, MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford
since 1997. Former Housing Minister, Chief Secretary to the Treasury,
and Work and Pensions Secretary under Gordon Brown.
A senior figure, but nevertheless lacks a following in the
parliamentary Labour party. Other than Harriet Harman, Cooper is the
most senior woman in the party – and there is certainly an appetite
among MPs and supporters to have a woman in charge.
It is unclear what she stands for, as she keeps her cards very close
to her heart. She rarely does print interviews, in contrast to how
well-known her husband's colourful hinterland is.
Strengths: She could shore up the support of the Balls faction; she is
a woman; she is a senior politician; she is known for her loyalty.
Weaknesses: People don't know enough about her and what she stands for
– she has a reputation as a bit of a dull character because of this.
Read Lucy Fisher's interview with Yvette Cooper here.
Dan Jarvis
Shadow justice minister, won Barnsley Central by-election in 2011,
formerly a soldier.
An unlikely bet – he doesn't have a particularly strong following in
the party. But he has a compelling back story, with his Army
background. Hard to tell whether it would help or hinder him that he
is so difficult to pigeonhole in the party – he's a member of Unison,
Unite, the Fabian Society and the Co-operative Party, and Progress
vice-chair.
Strengths: Experience of war; fluid political associations; background
outside politics; neither linked to Labour's past nor really to
Miliband
Weaknesses: No following in the party; fluid political associations.
Read Xan Rice's interview with him here.
Chuka Umunna
Shadow business secretary, MP for Streatham since 2010, former city lawyer.
Another favourite for the leadership, Umunna is very much a brand.
That brand is smooth, modern, even a bit sexy. He is a slick performer
and impresses his colleagues as well as supporters. Yet his rise and
rise has caused some to suggest that he has flown too close to the sun
and his moment has passed.
Umunna is an interesting candidate politically in that he has Blairite
credentials but came up through the party's left flank, working for
the leftwing think tank Compass – and was probably closer to Gordon
Brown back then in his political outlook. He could use this to combine
the best of Blue Labour with the best of New Labour, but some are
suspicious about his politics being "all things to all men".
He has played the politics of opposition well, refusing to allow his
shadow business secretary role to turn him into a business stooge.
He's also a passionate defender of immigration, which will please many
on the party's left.
Strengths: A good media performer; well-known among the public; a new
face to lead the Labour party – it has never had an ethnic minority
leader.
Weaknesses: Too posh and smooth for a party that has attempted to
shift leftwards; arrogance associated with the "British Obama" story;
could get shafted by a more obvious Blairite candidate.
Read George Eaton's interview with him here.
Liz Kendall
Shadow minister for care and older people, former think tanker and
ex-special adviser to Harriet Harman and Patricia Hewitt.
An arch-Blairite, popular among the Blairite faction. Dedicated to her
role in the shadow health team, and has forged a lot of links in the
party. Ambitious and hardworking, and someone who has made many
connections since her time as a special adviser.
I hear she can be difficult to work with – and to work for – as her
ambition can make her challenging to deal with. This might make some
MPs think twice about making her their leader.
Strengths: Blairites in the party like her; her campaign would be
fierce; competent media performer.
Weaknesses: Can be hard work; will the party want to so overtly revert
to a New Labour leader?
Read Stephen Bush's interview with her here.
Tristram Hunt
Shadow education secretary, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central since 2010,
historian and broadcaster.
"What has he actually done?" is a common refrain among Labour insiders
that could scupper Hunt's chances. Though a charming (and attractive)
figure, Hunt hasn't quite managed to own his shadow frontbench role,
and he isn't seen as a conviction politician. He was notoriously
parachuted into his Stoke-on-Trent seat by central office in 2010. He
has a vaguely Blairite past in that he voted for David Miliband in the
last leadership election, but this won't be strong enough when up
against more obvious Blairite candidates.
Strengths: Telegenic – opposite of Ed Miliband in terms of appearance
and manner.
Weaknesses: Is the Labour party ready for a privately-educated leader
called Tristram?
Read Stephen Bush's interview with him here.
Stella Creasy
Shadow BIS minister, MP for Walthamstow since 2010, academic.
Creasy would represent a big break with the current party leadership.
She is an impressive MP, working hard for her constituents (she won a
stonking 23,000 majority this election) and also pushing tirelessly on
individual campaigns – her fight against payday loan companies being
the most well-known.
Young, Twitter-happy, and a renowned indie music lover, she is an
approachable and fresh candidate for the leadership. However, forever
a "rising star", she hasn't shot up through the party ranks, and this
is because she is seen as a bit of a lone operator by her fellow MPs.
There may not be enough of a support base there, although many of the
new MPs in the next parliament might provide the support she needs.
Strengths: Appeal beyond parliament; young, and a break from the past;
impressive work ethic and ambition; broad appeal.
Weaknesses: Lacks strong support base in the party.
Read Stella Creasy's articles for the New Statesman here. Read my
interview (for Total Politics) with her here.
The NS liveblog: General Election 2015 results
Tags:general election 2015
--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment