Hoon Madness
Geoff Hoon made it pretty clear in his interview with Jeremy last night that he's very interested in becoming a European Commissioner when Peter Mandelson steps down next year. It seems extraordinary that the Chief Whip could even contemplate causing a by-election in Ashfield, of all places, where Labour suffered a terrible by-election defeat in 1977 during the Jim Callaghan government. Mr Hoon's majority is 10,213, so Labour could easily lose Ashfield in the current climate.
And there's a long history of voters punishing parties when MPs resign from the Commons to take better-paid jobs elsewhere. Labour should remember what happened when Bruce Millan resigned to become a European Commissioner back in 1988, and Labour lost his Glasgow Govan seat, in a famous triumph for the SNP.
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 24th Sep 2008, Barbazenzero wrote:Another Ashfield by-election - what a delightful thought. With Hoon 9th on the Portillo list, the Tories need only a 12.15% swing in their favour to take the seat. A foregone conclusion?
More immediately, how about a bit more questioning of Kelly and whether she plans to step down as an MP or just plans not to turn up and take the salary until the general election? Being top of the Portillo list, with a 2.55% swing enough to give the Tories the seat, you'd think that's lost anyway.
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Comment number 2.
At 24th Sep 2008, oldnat wrote:If Hoon wants the post, then it's difficult to see how he could be denied - he knows where all the bodies are buried!
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Comment number 3.
At 25th Sep 2008, Bill Bradbury wrote:Michael, are you(we) surprised that Hoon sees his future in Europe. Rats and Sinking ships come to mind.
I keep coming back to the theme that long before Brown, the financial crisis, you name it the media would jump on it, Ruth kelly the latest, is that the Electorate had already decided on a "change" (a la Obama).
Peter Riddell in today's Times anticipates what I as a Labor party member, has been thinking (and blogging) for months. The fight for the Party will start when labour is out of Office with Jon Cruddas being tipped to lead it and a return to "Old Labour" and its links with the Unions. I liked his "Mp's wre booed and hissed like common criminals" after the loss in 1979. We may see a return to that.
Brown will hang on until next May when the Party may lose a lot of good hard working local Labour Cllrs. Then watch the back-lash.
In the meantime we few still fight on as one activist who bucked the trend and got a Labour local election gain.
As you media pundits know anything can happen in politics to change things. Brown's conference exit tune should have been "I believe in miracles". We need one!!
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Comment number 4.
At 26th Sep 2008, carldalesunderpants wrote:"a long history of voters punishing parties when MPs resign from the Commons to take better-paid jobs elsewhere" - based on one example?
What about Mandelson and Kinnock going to Europe? Labour won both subsequent by-elections comfortably.
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Comment number 5.
At 30th Sep 2008, welshcampaigner wrote:www.antimetrix.org/
www.cynefinywerin.org.uk
Who would give that man Hoon a responsible position when he has messed up big time and responsible for the death of our service people and untold numbers of Iraqis.
Why are all the parties supporting this crazy Hoon idea to privatise military training?? We are campaigning to oppose the St Athan privatised military academy - biggest PFI/PPP ever, with arms dealers Raytheon Serco, school for mercenaries! Mike Hayle, chief exec Metrix consortium 'Our aim is that by 2013 if you travelled anywhere in the world and talked about military training, people would say that St Athan was the only place to go. 'It will genuinely be on the world map. People will come from Australia, the Middle East and other parts of the world to train." Help! Yes, those from any regime or private military company that can fork out the ready cash.
This crazy deal has had a lot of coverage in private eye! The MOD own report is worried that the new training setup may be detrimental to the well being of our service personnel and is basically unaffordable. The land deals - the bases which were to close prior to amalgamation have fallen in value with credit crunch and no one wants to buy even when dressed up as 'eco' towns! An announcement is due on Oct 9 in the house - but the latest leak promises that it will go ahead? Why...save new labour face in wales ...jobs in wales...friends in EDS? Any suggestions?
See leaked info
0D
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Comment number 6.
At 28th Oct 2008, I_am_Artisan wrote:Is it true that, for some doubtlessly unaccountable reason, Mr Hoon has the Parliamentary nickname of "Buff" - as in "Buff Hoon"?
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