Who should next lead the Labour Party?

[Pyrrus]

Just interested to know who people would like to see take over, especially since, as things are now looking, there is a chance this man (or woman?) will be our nation's next P.M.

I hope I haven't missed anyone. I included Mandelson, however, sitting in the House of Lords and not Parliament (and besides his baggage), I don't think he can lead the party.

My money's on David Miliband, who has to be clear favourite. He has more or less everything that Gordon Brown lacks - charm, good-looks, an amiable personality etc.

I'd also like to see Peter Hain take a shot. Although I've not heard him mentioned in recent discussion about the leadership he is certainly something of a Labour heavyweight these days and I think it would be nice to see a Welshman in the top job.

The BBC also keep hammering on about the possibility of Ed Miliband standing, which I think is a rather rediculous idea. Must be one of these un-written rules of 'Brotherly equality'.

[Squiggle]

Johnson or balls, both of their names are brilliant.

[Jom]

My money's on David Miliband, who has to be clear favourite. He has more or less everything that Gordon Brown lacks - charm, good-looks, an amiable personality etc.

This really depresses me. Brown lacks nothing that qualifies him to be an excellent statesman; it's just his media appearances that people base their opinions on. None of these qualities that you list here should have any bearing on who should lead the country.

[Tiberios]

Balls, just for the lulz

[Pyrrus]

This really depresses me. Brown lacks nothing that qualifies him to be an excellent statesman; it's just his media appearances that people base their opinions on. None of these qualities that you list here should have any bearing on who should lead the country.

Don't get me wrong - I totally agree with you Jom. In fact, I think Gordon Brown is an excellent statesman, far better than Tony Blair ever was. The trouble is that his lack of popularity among the public lies in his lack of such superficial traits. I've taken part in a bit of polling myself on Brown and nearly every person (and it was most people) who didn't find Brown appealing explained that he lacked 'Charisma' - as if it should matter. And it dosent - but then, if you want to be P.M., it does.

As a playwright once wrote:

'Call not my art fraud - all live by seeming
... and he who is prepared to be as he is,
Shall reap little, in this world or the next.' (or something like that)

But I'm not proposing Labour go the Cameron/Osbourne way with their leadership. David Miliband, besides boasting a little 'charm and charmisma' (tits and teeth? ), is a very talented and intelligent politician. Also, the son of a rather notable Marxist Scholar.

He has served us well as the foreign secretary for a couple years now also.

[Raglan]

i don't think it will be either milbands, which i think is a good thing for them since i think the next few years will kill off a few labour careers. I don't expect harriet harpy, since she just isn't the right image. I don't think alan johnson has a chance in hell, despite the grass roots it would achieve. My money is on balls or hain. Probably hain since these things tend not to go to the front runner,

[Musthavename]

None of the above?

[Jom]

I'm hoping for Straw or Darling, really, neither of which are on the poll.

[Pyrrus]

I'm hoping for Straw or Darling, really, neither of which are on the poll.

Darling I highly doubt. Straw I should have thought of - my bad

I don't think theres a way to edit the poll? If you want Straw, just shout it out.

[bigfootedfred]

Balls saved the day...

[Heinz Guderian]

wow. just realised that list is pretty pitiful. its a shame.

[Pyrrus]

wow. just realised that list is pretty pitiful. its a shame.

Far better than any Tory list if Cameron was to step down today...

[Heinz Guderian]

Far better than any Tory list if Cameron was to step down today...

i agree son. The whole thing is pretty depressing.

[Copperknickers II]

David Miliband is the best bet.

I disagree that a man who lacks charisma can be a good prime minister, PMs have to be decisive and persuasive, and they have to lead the cabinet in a direction. You can't do that if you are like me, for example, who has the charisma of a wet rock. It really shows, you cannot lead a team let alone a country without a degree of confidence in front of other people.

[CrayonVonCaesar]

Joe Stalin?

[Kanaric]

do they have a "vice prime-minister" int he UK or do they have running mates? Because a "Johnson/Balls" vehicle sticker would be a riot.

[Jom]

do they have a "vice prime-minister" int he UK or do they have running mates? Because a "Johnson/Balls" vehicle sticker would be a riot.

We have deputy PMs, yes, but as both PMs and any other members of the cabinet aren't actually elected to those posts, there's no need for a "running mate". Think of it as electing the party, rather than the person, although obviously the leader of the party has a big impact on people's choice as they are the one who would become Prime Minister and decide the policy direction of the party.

[martyr]

i've always enjoyed watching peter hain on question time.

he's far too reasonable

[CrayonVonCaesar]

i've always enjoyed watching peter hain on question time.
he's far too reasonable

Reasonable?
A massive expenses swindling, donations hiding, perma-tanned sex pest he is,
reasonable he is not.