Is Red Ed On His Way Out?

[naomi24]

//Mr Miliband has faced criticism over his leadership strategy from the Labour ranks amid concerns over Labour's falling poll lead. //

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/another-poll-shocker-for-ed-miliband-and-labour-as-41-of-voters-say-hes-weird-9214770.html

[naomi24]

//In the overall scheme of things, seeing this as an event that weakens the electability of Labour is a long way down the list of what peoples concerns are. //

I'm not so sure. I would have thought people want to elect a strong government capable to addressing their concerns - but that is only my opinion. ;o)

[LazyGun]

Yes, they do. Some talking heads talking about stuff on the sidelines will does not effect the perceived strength of any proposed government.

And it also depends on what you mean by a strong government, too. A party/government that ruthlessly adopts measures to stifle public expressions critical of direction or "off-message" is seen as ruthless and dictatorial, rather like Blairs Government was. It is pathetic to see MPs hamstrung by party apparatachiks from speaking from their conviction, rather than some party song sheet.

That kind of approach weakens democracy and is not a vote winner at all.

[naomi24]

//Some talking heads talking about stuff on the sidelines will does not effect the perceived strength of any proposed government. //

If the talk remains on the sidelines, fine, but once it's in the public domain I think it does affect perception.

[LazyGun]

If you were to canvass the electorate in, say a weeks time, asking them about whether they considered a prospective incoming Labour Government o their Leader was up to the job or a strong leader, then asked them to cite reasons in support of their vote, this incident would not even feature on the radar. Milibands looks might, his perceived nerdiness and nasal voice; His competition with his brother over the leadership position; Union links maybe.

But this will not even be mentioned.

We both agree that a long term, highly public organised movement from the ranks over a period of time would be damaging, no question of that, but this is nothing like that by several orders of magnitude.