A really decent man overlooked by the PLP as a leader. I wonder why they close non-inclusive people like Corbin and overlook people like him.
He's almost a Tory. He's only decent if you agree with him which a lot of people in the labour party even pre Corbyn don't ,which answers your original question.
I think it's pretty obvious why he was overlooked by the PLP. You're right though, he does come across as a really nice bloke.
Wasn't he once given the accolade of being one of the top 100 most influential right wingers in politics? Not bad for a Labour MP. He was once a member of the Tory party though.
Was given the job of reforming welfare by Blair and told to "think the unthinkable", so he did and got sacked. Like IDS he just wants to get people off the dole and into work because he thinks it's the best way to end poverty. The rest of the Labour Party would rather keep people on the dole and voting for them.
He has influence in the Tory party that's for sure. He's never followed party lines siding more with Tory policy more than his own be it left or right. Don't think he's ever been in Tory Party but could be wrong,he has served in David Camereons fact finding committees though. He's one of those MPs who would rather cause trouble among his own than with the opposition regardless of policy, bit like ken Clarke but more vociferous.
I don't know much about him but I do like him for the bits I do know about him. No surprise there I'm sure. I'm sure I read that he was very close to Maggie in her final months as PM, acting as a kind of secret confidant. I don't know if it's true but I enjoyed reading about it. Personally I think that whether the rumours are true or not it's blindingly obvious why the PLP didn't consider him and would never have supported him.
He was close to Maggie dont know in what capacity though. It shows what his agenda is when Tories tactically vote for him in his constituency though.
He'd be alright in the "Frank Field" party. Just him. Sensible for the most part. But lacks a party that suits him. He's got his own views that don't seem to paint a particular political colour. Always worth a listen.
????? How can you back that up? Do you think this government, or the more right wing one that may follow it, ( i.e. the post Brexit one of Boris & Gove & Farage) will be good for ending poverty. I can guarantee they will be shipping in cheap asian labour in no time, with no heath & safety & no health service. Be careful what you wish for.
Nice bloke. I liked him a lot on the occasions I've met him. Not sure about him as a politician. He's never really found a political party that suits him.
