Alan Johnson

[grumpy01]

Looks like Alan Johnson may be getting ready for a leadership challenge should UKIP take Heywood in the by-election tomorrow.It is said he talks like a human being, something Ed Milliband can never be accused of.Personally I think Labour allowed itself to be shot in the foot when it allowed union members to vote in the last leadership election and Unit campaigned for Ed Milliband.So hopefully on this occasion UKIP can pull off the double giving a kick in the backside to Cameron and forcing Milliband to go and give Labour a chance to win next May.

[Cloverjo]

I really wish Ed hadn't challenged his brother for the leadership of Labour. They might have had a chance if David were in charge. Alan Johnson looks like a good possible leader.

[Sqad]

I agree with Cloverjo ^

I cannot see Labour winning an overall majority with Ed Milliband as it's leader.

[janbee]

I'd never trust Ed. How can one trust a person who stabbed his own brother in the back, at the 11th hour, to get the top job.? David M. would've been a MUCH better leader and much more acceptable. As it is, British politics seems now to have lost David M forever. Thanks Ed !! Alan Johnson would be better than Ed . The talking horse itself, would be better than Ed. He HAS to go.

[Cloverjo]

I agree, janbee. What was Ed thinking when he took on the leadership challenge over his brother? He seems like a lovely man, but he's no leader and definitely not what we need to get Labour back in power. The more I think about it the more I favour AJ.

[naomi24]

Alan Johnson would be a more credible leader. In fact almost anyone would be a more credible leader than Ed.

[ChillDoubt]

Whilst he has always come across as a decent bloke and very down to earth character, I can't help feeling that at 64 he's maybe 10 years too late.
Better to bow out gracefully than to look like a bit of a bumbling old dodderer, like some in the Coalition.

[janbee]

chill, I didn't realise he was 64 so yes, sadly, maybe he is now too old for the job. Shame, I quite like him. He seems like a good guy.

[ChillDoubt]

That's not to say he isn't capable, it's just that Labour voters may want a little more prospective longevity from their party leader(should he indeed throw his hat into the ring).

[grumpy01]

On the subject of age,don't forget that Winston Churchill was re-elected at the age of 76 in 1950.

[ChillDoubt]

To be fair though grumpy, a PM/Party leader in this modern era would doubtless be travelling the length and breadth of the country on a regular basis, interspersed with trips abroad. To do so in the 50"s would have been unthinkable and impossible.
A 76 year old now would be untenable as a candidate now IMHO.

[Mick-the-Miller]

64 is not too old - although it did seem that Alan Johnson had accepted life on the Back Benches and eventual elevation to the House of Lords.

So, having said that 64 is not too old I think Alan Johnson's time has gone - shame he does seem like a normal bloke.