Deselection is Essential to Democracy 228


There is a very extraordinary meme which Blairites keep raising in the Commons debate, that it is “abusive” or “undemocratic” for Labour MPs to face deselection by their members.

In the SNP, there is never any automatic reselection for anybody. You are selected for one term and have to be renominated for another term, where you can be opposed. Indeed deselection happens quite often in the SNP without drawing any comment at all. If the members aren’t happy with your performance, they will get in someone else.

It is remarkable that Labour MPs feel that they should have a job for life, whether the constituency members are happy with your performance or not. If Labour party members decide they do not want an extreme right winger like Stella Creasy or John Mann to represent them, why is it “undemocratic” to get rid of them at the end of the term for which they are elected? Individuals do not own the party, and nobody is stopping them from running as independent candidates or joining the Conservative Party.

This goes to the heart of the Blairite cause. It is apparently not “undemocratic” for them to take legal advice on whether they can keep Jeremy Corbyn’s name off the ballot in a future membership ballot. It is not “undemocratic” to discuss deselecting the Leader, but it is a heinous offence against democracy to consider deselecting an MP. The odious Blairites are the most self-centred, selfish and indeed sociopathic group ever to have a serious presence in the UK parliament.


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228 thoughts on “Deselection is Essential to Democracy

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  • Ray

    Looks like a grubby little deal here between Blairites and Tories to stitch up Corbyn the night before the by-election. Great, they think, will make him look like a right loser. Obviously none of then believe all Cameron’s crap but that doesn’t matter to them at all, nor do the Syrians.

  • Rose

    Orwell’s description of politicians of the thirties re-jigged for tonight in haiku:

    No substance, all wind,
    stuffed shirts, mere holes in the air,
    farts in our faces.

  • Laguerre

    Hab

    “If you’re really a teacher I feel sorry for your students.”

    Perhaps you’d like to explain a bit more what you mean, as it is not evident to me.

  • Phil

    I have to say I wasn’t expecting a majority that big. I thought 30-40 Labour MP’s may rebel but 67, wow. I think Benn may have swayed around 10. Great speech IMHO. I disagree with a lot of you on here and feel that this is the correct move. I know air strikes alone will not stop ISIS, I’ve never said that, but i do feel they’re needed along with a combination of things (most notably a peaceful settlement of the civil war and establishment of a democratic political system of which the major Syrian groups agree on).

  • RobG

    Here they are Mary, the 66 Labour MPs who voted for military action in Syria (none of them will ever be elected again):

    Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East), Ian Austin (Dudley North), Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West), Kevin Barron (Rother Valley), Margaret Beckett (Derby South), Hilary Benn (Leeds Central), Luciana Berger (Liverpool Wavertree), Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South & Cleveland East), Ben Bradshaw (Exeter), Chris Bryant (Rhondda), Alan Campbell (Tynemouth), Jenny Chapman (Darlington), Vernon Coaker (Gedling), Ann Coffey (Stockport), Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract & Castleford), Neil Coyle (Bermondsey & Old Southwark), Mary Creagh (Wakefield), Stella Creasy (Walthamstow), Simon Danczuk (Rochdale), Wayne David (Caerphilly), Gloria De Piero (Ashfield), Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South & Penarth), Jim Dowd (Lewisham West & Penge), Michael Dugher (Barnsley East), Angela Eagle (Wallasey), Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood), Louise Ellman (Liverpool Riverside), Frank Field (Birkenhead), Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar & Limehouse), Colleen Fletcher (Coventry North East), Caroline Flint (Don Valley), Harriet Harman (Camberwell & Peckham), Margaret Hodge (Barking), George Howarth (Knowsley), Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central), Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central), Alan Johnson (Hull West & Hessle), Graham Jones (Hyndburn), Helen Jones (Warrington North), Kevan Jones (Durham North), Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South), Liz Kendall (Leicester West), Dr Peter Kyle (Hove), Chris Leslie (Nottingham East), Holly Lynch (Halifax), Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden), Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East), Conor McGinn (St Helens North), Alison McGovern (Wirral South), Bridget Phillipson (Houghton & Sunderland South), Jamie Reed (Copeland), Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East), Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West), Joan Ryan (Enfield North), Lucy Powell (Manchester Central), Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North), Angela Smith (Penistone & Stocksbridge), John Spellar (Warley), Gisela Stuart (Birmingham Edgbaston), Gareth Thomas (Harrow West), Anna Turley (Redcar), Chuka Umunna (Streatham), Keith Vaz (Leicester East), Tom Watson (West Bromwich East), Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) and John Woodcock (Barrow & Furness).

  • Tony_0pmoc

    The RAF are not stupid – a few years ago – about 2 or 3 maybe 5 no longer than that..My wife and I went on of our Regular Country Walks…its in the hills – and has such a Beautiful Sunset..and this time we arrived a bit late..but still daylight and did the walk in reverse…

    We saw these massive Tipis on the side of the hill and were invited by the RAF Officer into the Reception…

    But I said we are just doing our Country Walk…We don’t know anyone ..Who’s getting married…???

    We said we can’t come in..just look how we are dressed..

    The RAF Officer said Oh Just come in..You two guys will be fun.

    Thanks for the invitation..but we declined and carried on our walk..

    I do have a few photos to prove it..but we didn’t go in…

    And now These Brave Pilots – are Expected to Go To War with RUSSIA?

    Don’t do it guys.

    Tony

  • Laguerre

    “You still haven’t explained the connection you made between the fact that Saudi Arabia financed the Central mosque and saying no wonder Molenbeek (not Brussels, but specifically Molenbeek) is “full of jihadis”.”

    Really, haven’t you understood?

    I’m struck that you are reacting so strongly. Evidently it’s a problem for Israel.

  • RobG

    According to the Press Association, seven Tory MPs defied the whips and voted against airstrikes. They were: John Baron (Basildon & Billericay), David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden), Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne & Sheppey), Philip Hollobone (Kettering), Julian Lewis (New Forest East), Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) and Andrew Tyrie (Chichester).

  • Mary

    10 Labour abstentions. Hope the fence sitting is not too uncomfortable for Rosie and the 9.

    …. full list of 67 Labour rebels that backed the Government’s proposals for Syria. The chief whip Rosie Winterton was one of 10 abstentions, saving her from opposing the leader’s position.

    Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East), Ian Austin (Dudley North), Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West), Kevin Barron (Rother Valley), Margaret Beckett (Derby South), Hilary Benn (Leeds Central), Luciana Berger (Liverpool Wavertree), Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South & Cleveland East), Ben Bradshaw (Exeter), Chris Bryant (Rhondda), Alan Campbell (Tynemouth), Jenny Chapman (Darlington), Vernon Coaker (Gedling), Ann Coffey (Stockport), Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract & Castleford), Neil Coyle (Bermondsey & Old Southwark), Mary Creagh (Wakefield), Stella Creasy (Walthamstow), Simon Danczuk (Rochdale), Wayne David (Caerphilly), Gloria De Piero (Ashfield), Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South & Penarth), Jim Dowd (Lewisham West & Penge), Michael Dugher (Barnsley East), Angela Eagle (Wallasey), Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood), Louise Ellman (Liverpool Riverside), Frank Field (Birkenhead), Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar & Limehouse), Colleen Fletcher (Coventry North East), Caroline Flint (Don Valley), Harriet Harman (Camberwell & Peckham), Margaret Hodge (Barking), George Howarth (Knowsley), Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central), Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central), Alan Johnson (Hull West & Hessle), Graham Jones (Hyndburn), Helen Jones (Warrington North), Kevan Jones (Durham North), Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South), Liz Kendall (Leicester West), Dr Peter Kyle (Hove), Chris Leslie (Nottingham East), Holly Lynch (Halifax), Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham & Morden), Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East), Conor McGinn (St Helens North), Alison McGovern (Wirral South), Bridget Phillipson (Houghton & Sunderland South), Jamie Reed (Copeland), Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East), Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West), Joan Ryan (Enfield North), Lucy Powell (Manchester Central), Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North), Angela Smith (Penistone & Stocksbridge), John Spellar (Warley), Gisela Stuart (Birmingham Edgbaston), Gareth Thomas (Harrow West), Anna Turley (Redcar), Chuka Umunna (Streatham), Keith Vaz (Leicester East), Tom Watson (West Bromwich East), Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) and John Woodcock (Barrow & Furness).

    Night night all. Hope the bug(***)s don’t bite.

    We live for another day, deo volente. Not many in Syria will be able to do that from tonight onwards and I don’t mean the ISIL types.

  • Mary

    Sorry RobG. You had already posted the list.

    Sky are cock a hoop about bombers already taking off in Cyprus.

  • RobG

    The farewell kiss from the Blairites: to send us into yet another lunatic war, following 14 years of lunatic wars.

    Wait, let’s all convert to Catholicism, so that we can forget our sins!

  • Laguerre

    “six British fighter jets and two Tornados” will join the attacking forces, according to the BBC. Why bother making such a big affair, if it’s the case? Our American allies, including Ash Carter, have stated quite clearly that regime change is the intention. Why does Cameron lie?

  • ------------·´`·.¸¸.¸¸.··.¸¸Node

    Ken2 2 Dec, 2015 – 9:48 pm : Ben talking himself into a frenzy. Talking himself out of a job. What a plonker. It will all end in tears. They make a fool of themselves.

    I hope you’re right but experience suggests the opposite – he was talking himself into a job promotion. Ben knows if Corbyn retains the leadership, he’s toast. He is betting that Corbyn will be ousted.

    You’ve just watched Hilary Ben audition for the post-Corbyn leadership. I wouldn’t bet against him, it’s political evolution in action, selection of the evilest.

  • Chris Jones

    @Laguerre ‘Why does Cameron lie?’

    Because he hi worried that telling the truth will lead to the demonising of homosexual men perhaps

    No ,it’s because he’s a sociopathic actor who has pledged his allegiance to Israel/the Rothchild above all else. He has no interest in Britain-don’t you get it? He’s an utter charlatan as are most of his cabinet and no doubt the shadow cabinet.

    Wake up go dammit!

  • Chris Jones

    @Laguerre ‘Why does Cameron lie?’

    Because he is worried that telling the truth will lead to the demonising of homosexual men perhaps?

    No ,it’s because he’s a totally sociopathic actor who has pledged his allegiance to Israel/the Rothchild above all else. He has no interest in Britain-don’t you get it? He’s an utter charlatan as are most of his cabinet and no doubt the shadow cabinet.

    Wake up go dammit!

  • Hieroglyph

    “Except when the Russians have something to say about it:”

    As noted by another poster, the Russians are famous for their defeatist attitude. Particularly vulnerable to an attack in Winter, History teaches us. We can take ’em, and should start now.

  • Tony_0pmoc

    The date was 29th of September 2012, and the photo was taken on my mobile phone at 15:37…

    So who was getting married?

    You think I make things up???

    Here is the photographic evidence of Someone in The RAF getting Married.

    I have no idea of who you are or she is…

    But please do not go to war against Russia…

    Work out the rest yourselves.

    http://s27.postimg.org/xjpow4bwz/DSC_0018.jpg

    Tony

  • Phil

    Neither we nor any of NATO will be going to war with russia any time soon. Were all too scared of the consequences……

  • RobG

    Phil, the psychos in Washington are already at war with Russia (without our consent).

    Turkey, a NATO member, shot down a Russian fighter plane; remember?

    That’s why Russia is employing sophisticated anti-aircraft missile systems in Syria.

    But of course the UK Parliament still votes to send in five or so manky old jets to bomb Syria.

    I only wish I were making this up.

    Alas…

  • BrianFujisan

    Going on 40,000..I never Could Count

    Rose Nice Haiku..Perfect count.

    One of My Own –

    Oceans of Potions

    High Swells and Damnation Spells

    Drown the Cowering

    I took two of my Women Friends to this location.. A great art for the WWII fallen in the Lomond area…a Stunning piece of Art..in A Breathtaking Area..

    it was a few weeks ago…. And I’m thinking.. The Evil ones are doon at the Cenotaph wearing red Plastic

    And now they want More..( Blood )and they will get it. Now

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/132108640@N08/22232387030/in/dateposted-friend/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/132108640@N08/22455729487/in/dateposted-friend/

  • Phil

    Turkey shot down the Russian Jet in Turkish Airspace, Or so were told (we’ll never really know but seen as both sides are pathological liers im going to go off past experience and that is that Russia often pushes limits in terms of airspace). The AA missiles were already in Syria (to protect russian aircraft and other military).

  • Tony_0pmoc

    Maybe my wife has turned into a political anti-war activist..I don’t think so…but She was There Yesterday..She Tells Me she Didn’t Plan to be there..Its a Rambler’s Association thing..(I think they think she is the nurse)

    Is That My Daughter Too???

    “Don’t bomb Syria London Protest”

    Published on Dec 2, 2015

    Parliament Square on the eve of the vote to bomb Syria

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGNcwkpWHMM

    Tony

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