If not Brown, then who?

[Acrylic-bob]

Following on from last week's pre-budget report from the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, And the scathing things that the press pundits have had to say about it's contents, does anyone view the prospect of a Brown Premiership with anything but dismay?

And if, when Tony Bleuuuurgh and his god-awful wife finally depart from Number 10, we have to maintain a Labour government, who would you wish that the Labour Party would choose in preference to Brown?

[jedimaster]

i am a firm believer that upon a pm leaving number 10
there should immediately be an election rather than the choice be left to the departing pm

[g jones]

His past as Chancellor and the current tabloid speculation are the only barometer of a Brown premiership at the moment. This all may a long way from the real thing should Brown become PM. What will he be like, I think thas difficult as he has kept most of his views prvate.

Trident replacement will carry on and the reforms will carry on he says. There has been a huge emphasisi recently of Britishness (and Brownites like John Cruddas have spoke out about the forgotten white working class). He has spoken about an independent NHS (like the Bank of England) which Cameron has now followed and seemingy endorsed.

Browns 05 Conference speech spoke of just Labour and not New Labour. He has stayed away from endorsing the Iraq war and talks the language of centre left which has agitated Blairites. 'The Good Society' at his 06 Conference speech for example.

I hope there is a contest. The country needs one because debate is healthy and clears the air.

I believe affiliated unions are going for one member one vote this time. 33% of the vote comes form union members so there will be a lot of people voting. The constituencies have 1m1v and are another 33% and MP's make up the other 33%.

I am voting for Benn in the deputy leadership and IF he had stood for leader, then for Leader too. He is not like his father, 'a Benn but not a Bennite' is how he describes himself. He will get my vote because he is a very straight forward honest and intelligent politician in a world of Cameron's or Blair's.

Failing Benn as Leader, then a (PM & DPM) Brown-Benn ticket would be my obvious prefered choice.

[g jones]

H Benn 7/2
J Cruddas 9/2
P Hain 6/1
A Johnson 6/1
H Harman 7/1
H Blears 8/1
D Milliband 8/1
J Straw 14/1
T Jowell 14/1
J Reid 20/1
Y Cooper 25/1
A Milburn 33/1
P Hewitt 50/1
M Beckett 50/1
A Darling 50/1
G Brown 66/1
E Balls 66/1
D Blunkett 66/1
C Clarke 66/

[g jones]

G Brown 1/9
J Reid 5/1
D Miliband 25/1
P Hain 33/1
H Benn 33/1
A Milburn 33/1
M Beckett 50/1
J Straw 50/1
J Prescott 50/1
D Browne 50/1
E Balls 50/1
C Clarke 66/1
T Jowell 100/1
G Hoon 100/1
A Darling 100/1

[andrewb]

Milliband. Lol.

Well yeah anyway I agree with jedimaster, there should be an election.

If whoever gets in is confident in his/her position they should call an election to reaffirm that with the rest of the public.

[jambutty]

If and when TB steps down the deputy PM should take over. (Heaven forbid) That’s why we have a deputy PM, to take the reigns when the PM is no longer able to, through illness, death or choice.

But it seems like NL have changed the rules to suit themselves.

If the deputy PM doesn’t want the job when TB goes there should be a General Election whilst at the same time a party election to find a new leader and deputy.

[Stanaccy]

Tony Benn simple as. Lets have someone who doesn't spin and talks honestly for a change.

[AccyJay]

I've mentioned before that i think there should be a general election.

[Ianto.W.]

There is little point in having a deputy prime minister if he/she do not get the job when the present incumbent stands down. To have a PM contest is only making a mockery out of any political party, when only a deputy is needed.

[g jones]

Originally Posted by jambutty

If and when TB steps down the deputy PM should take over. (Heaven forbid) That’s why we have a deputy PM, to take the reigns when the PM is no longer able to, through illness, death or choice.

But it seems like NL have changed the rules to suit themselves.

If the deputy PM doesn’t want the job when TB goes there should be a General Election whilst at the same time a party election to find a new leader and deputy.

People voted for a full term of policies knowing full well TB (and his deputy) intended stepping down?

[g jones]

Originally Posted by Stanaccy

Tony Benn simple as. Lets have someone who doesn't spin and talks honestly for a change.

Is that Tony Benn as in Hilary Benn's dad, or did you actually mean Tony's son Hilary Benn? Hilary Benn is the favourite for the deputies job and I will be voting for Tony's son for the reasons quoted Stan.

[g jones]

Originally Posted by AccyJay

I've mentioned before that i think there should be a general election.

Why, what has changed sinced 2005 General Election?

[Church Boy]

I say, Bring back ye old Guillotine,Chop off a few pollies heads,and then life might just become a little less complicated for all and sundry.Wooouldn't that be looovell'y.Church Boy

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by Ianto.W.

There is little point in having a deputy prime minister if he/she do not get the job when the present incumbent stands down.

What a frightening thought! John Prescott as PM!