Short circuit
So Clare Short has left the PLP - more with a whimper than a bang.
I have to say that being upset by "a string of rebukes" from the Chief Whip is the feeblest reason I have ever heard for leaving the PLP and must be causing laughter amongst the likes of Abbott and Corbyn who have spent their entire parliamentary careers being threatened with disciplinary action.
I actually thought Jacqui Smith and the NEC were rather restrained given that Clare had actually called for a hung parliament - a fairly basic requirement of being a Labour MP is that you should want us to win the next election.
Collateral impact:
-damage to a cause I support - electoral reform - by Short linking it to calls for a hung parliament under the current FPTP system
- every other MP and MEP's share of the vote in the electoral college has gone up a bit
- if Short was going to nominate McDonnell he is one MP further away from getting nominated (as is her prefered deputy leadership candidate)
- the number of nominations required to run for leader or deputy is still 44 (down from 44.25 to 44.125)
posted by Luke Akehurst at 12:14 pm
7 Comments:
Is she allowed by 'the rules' to remain as a party member while sitting as an independent MP? You seem to know about such things...
12:54 pm, October 21, 2006
"must be causing laughter amongst the likes of Abbott and Corbyn who have spent their entire parliamentary careers being threatened with disciplinary action"
Do you think that Short's decision to leave can damage other rebels who are seeking reselection?
People can brief or think "well, it's what can happen at any moment with a rebellious MP"
1:56 pm, October 21, 2006
But only Clare could be so stupid. It is brilliant news though. Time she started to prepare herself for her 2012 sulkathon. Now is not the time to campaign for a hung parliament because the way the polls are at the moment the Labour Party will be the largest party in a hung parliament. Until that situation changes Clare should have stayed IN the Labour Party and campaigned more than ever for the party! It just proves the point that Tony Blair should never have given her a second chance.
2:05 pm, October 21, 2006
"Is she allowed by 'the rules' to remain as a party member while sitting as an independent MP?"
There is no rule specifically prohibiting it. And Labour MPs can have the whip withdrawn or suspended without automatically being expelled from the party.
However, the NCC could probably get her under Rule 2A.8.
http://thedaily.wordpress.com/2006/10/20/short-change/#comments
3:40 pm, October 21, 2006
I believe that the universal cry of the Labour Left will be: "Good riddance!"
Here is the woman who witch-hunted the Left herself now discarded on the political scrapheap after being attacked by the New Labour machine she helped to build.
It was she who linked foreign aid to privatisation of public services - which, to his credit, Hilary Benn has ended.
It was she who failed to resign over the invasion of Iraq, unlike those such as Robin Cook who actually had some guts.
Adieu, Shorty. Go away and don't come back.
6:49 pm, October 21, 2006
What a fool. does this woman have any credibility left with anyone?
Thst said, she deserved to be excluded for supporting candidates standing against the labour party. I'm glad she fell on her dagger.
2:54 pm, October 22, 2006
Answer to Tom. No. Especially not with those labour activists that worked so hard to get her elected.
9:25 pm, October 23, 2006
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