Labour's glass ceiling

Jeremy Corbyn is the nineteenth substantive leader of the Labour Party, and all nineteen have been male. On three occasions Labour has been led by a female, and each time was temporary, a short interregnum whilst a new leader was being elected. Thus, Margaret Becket and Harriet Harman (twice) have had the reins of power, but only as a short-term solution to either the death or resignation of a male leader.

We have our second female Prime Minister at the moment, and regardless of the merits of their leadership, the Conservatives have been more progressive than Labour in this aspect; two female Prime Ministers, both Conservative.

The argument about choosing the best person for the role not only belittles the ability of woman MPs, it also misunderstands how our democracy works. We have a representative democracy, where our representatives are meant to be like us, the electorate. Yet, over the half the electorate is female. Labour only having women leading in a caretaker capacity just is not good enough.

Don’t get me wrong, Labour’s record in getting more women elected is admirable; but without doubt there is a glass ceiling. I hope I live to see that change.

Locally, in Southend-on-Sea, the situation is not much better. I do not know all the leaders of the local Labour Group on Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, but here is a list of the most recent (please correct me if there are errors or omissions here):

Ian Gilbert

David Norman

Kevin Robinson

Stephen George (acting leader for three months owing to the ill health of the substantive leader)

Chris Dandridge

Nigel Smith

Alan Hurst

Bert Dunn

This, as you will have noticed, is an all-male list. I hope our next leader is a woman, because it is time that Labour, both nationally and locally, was led by a woman, was able to demonstrate a commitment to equality at levels within the party.

Oh no, not again please

There has been speculation that Jeremy Corbyn is considering stepping down as Labour Leader. This would trigger another election.

I did not support Jeremy in either of the last two contests, but I hope that this speculation is mere gossip, wild speculation in the absence of real news and in defiance of reality.

We have had two leadership contests in under a year, and despite my misgivings Mr Corbyn triumphed in both contests with handsome majorities. He should be allowed to lead us (for now at least).

Labour needs another leadership contest like I need a hole in the head. Aside from being a distraction that allows the Conservatives to again govern with no effective opposition, it makes Labour look like a shambles. We need stability, elected leaders need the time and space to do their job.

Another contest would allow the factions to start again with the nastiness too. Whilst most comrades remain that - comradely - some cannot control themselves. Difference of opinion give some the green light for their keyboard warrior skills.

Jeremy must improve as leader, and I think there is evidence that he is doing just that. Every leader we have has had their shortcomings, and being Labour means being prepared to compromise and accept that not everything the party or its leader does is going to make everyone happy. But surely we have all got to accept overwhelming democratic victories.

And Jeremy has got to dismiss any notion of stepping aside for a successor, for now anyway. He has won two victories, the majority of Labour members want him in post, he has got to lead.

No more leadership contests please, not for a couple of years at least. Can't we use our energies to campaign against our opponents, and not ourselves for a change?

Congratulations to Mr Corbyn

Congratulations to Jeremy Corbyn. For the second time in a year he has won an impressive victory in a leadership contest, and he has managed to improve his vote share. Let's hope that unity and comradeship can now descend on the Labour Party.

I think the contest was ill-timed. However, I did support Owen Smith who I think would have made a fine leader. I do have reservations about Mr Corbyn, which revolve less around policy and more about his style of leadership. He has to change - we cannot continue as we have done. We have to be electable and win elections. We also have to be seen as a credible Government-in-waiting.

To make change we have to be in power; this involves compromise. We cannot just please ourselves and expect that the majority of the electorate will fall in line. We have to understand what Middle England wants, and find the policies that deliver that. Anything else and we are irrelevant.

I will continue to support Labour and campaign for the issues that are important to me. I will continue to do my best to see that Labour represents the wishes and aspirations of working people. I will continue to try and be an effective Labour councillor for Milton ward and for the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

I will also continue to voice my opinion. We have to be a party that allows room for differences.

Those who know what it takes to actually win elections are backing Owen

Friday night in glorious Basildon. I really like Basildon. It just feels like a political homecoming for me.  I began my Labour activism here in the run-up to the 1997 General  Election and have spent many happy hours here helping wonderful Labour colleagues. I just love it; it feels like natural Labour territory, a place where we can win.

I once fought a council seat here: Nethermayne in 2007. I have helped out in many elections, both for council seats as well as Parliamentary contests.

So, to the Council offices in the town centre - Owen Smith was in town. Owen,  who I hope will be leading the party soon.

I am not sure what I expected. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. My guess (which is often a shaky estimation) put the audience at around 120. I certainly saw many familiar faces.

Owen was impressive, and whatever the outcome of the leadership contest he certainly looks to have a bright future.

Owen enthrals the audience

It strikes me that whilst Jeremy Corbyn certainly enjoys solid support amongst ordinary members, amongst activists, especially those who hold council and Parliamentary seats, it is Owen that is ahead.

This suggests that those who know what it takes to actually win elections are backing Owen.  Will it take a succession of defeats before Jeremy's fan club realise what his leadership means for Labour?

Owen Smith and me