A day in the race: June 7th

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

On the day all but one of the leadership candidates attended their first hustings (of at least fifty), with the GMB in Southport, (minus ED BALLS who had Education questions in Parliament), ANDY BURNHAM exceeded expectations – but the event is likely to be remembered, and possibly overshadowed by comments made by JOHN MCDONNELL.

McDonnell’s comments, that if he could go back to the 1980’s he would “assasinate Thatcher”, were passed off as a joke by the outsider candidate after the hustings. Whilst he was greeted by laughter in the hall, it remains to be seen whether this is seen as gag or gaffe once the full repercussions unravel.

Andy Burnham – in many ways the local candidate today in Southport, based, as he is, in the North West – stood out by talking about aspiration, and even his own demons. Burnham said that to this day he fears the “tap on the shoulder” to tell him that he’s not welcome at such a high level.

Both of the Miliband brothers were consistent, but neither particularly captured the imagination today, despite DAVID MILIBAND‘S botched attempt at high rhetoric with his call to “debate our dreams”. Returning from hustings today David recorded the following Audioboo:

Listen!

ED MILIBAND tweeted after the hustings:

“Enjoyed GMB hustings. As I said to him, upside that will get to see more of my brother than usual in next two months since at least 49 to go!”

Stella Creasy, the new MP for Walthamstow, will be submitting her nomination tomorrow, and is expected to support one of the Milibands.

DIANE ABBOTT was again engaging, playing to the crowd and the chair (GMB President Mary Turner), but failed to strike any telling blows on any of the frontrunners. She was boosted today by obtaining the support of former minister Keith Vaz – but with time running out, and only 8 nominations, Abbott has everything still to do.

At tonight’s PLP hustings, interpretations have been drawn down partisan lines, but it does appear that the Milibands have been able to better break through than they were earlier at the GMB.

Many of the new, younger MPs have been especially supportive of Ed Miliband. Rachel Reeves has tweeted a few times:

Ed M is the one with real passion at PLP hustings. Dynamic meeting but Ed has the energy to lead us. #EM4Leader

Ed makes a really good point re. listening but also hearing what ppl are saying to us – shows he understands our challenge #EM4leader

Ed understands ppl’s insecurities with important commitments on temp and agency workers and also social housing #EM4leader

#EM4leader has made clear that on bankers bonuses we became out of touch – too technocratic in govt; not tough enough on tax and regs

Chuka Umunna has tweeted:

Gr8 debate at the PLP hustings so far….@ed_miliband excellent on need to move away from management speak

Umunna also tweets that Ed Miliband said:

“Can u really justify MPs doing 2nd jobs to pple on the doorstep? No”

Douglas Alexander, who supports David Miliband, says:

Good debate so far – David showing he has good Labour values, can unite us, and lead us to victory (and has had the most applause!)

David Miliband also said, according to John Woodcock:

‘We won in past cos we were party of change & reform. That means u not only occupy the centreground, u define it.’

Andy Burnham appears to have had another decent showing. Kerry McCarthy has tweeted:

Andy Burnham has best line of the night… He wishes Gordon had stayed on till after the World Cup was over!

Luciana Berger, meanwhile, has tweeted:

V glad I’ve waited ’til #PLPHustings b4 making my nomination.3/4way thru, everything frm HoL Bishops to immigration raised.

Other questions asked include the most difficult decision candidates have had to make in their lives.

Dennis McShane notes that the PLP hustings were very civil:

very polite l’ship hustings so far. differences on immigration might cause real trouble

David Miliband 68 (62)
Ed Miliband 50 (49)
Ed Balls 33 (33)
Andy Burnham 21 (21)
John McDonnell 10 (10)
Diane Abbott 7 (7)

Hustings begin on Monday.