Morning Report – March 29th

Remember how the leadership have suggested – very quietly – that members of the public might be allowed to vote in future Labour leadership contests? We hadn’t heard anything about this for a few months, so it’s something of a surprise to see it splashed in the Guardian today. In a LabourList survey back in February, only 4.8% of readers who took part favoured this kind of change. 55.8% wanted one member one vote. Such a massive change should surely be approved by the membership. These changes alter fundamentally the difference between “member” and “supporter”. Watch this space.

It looks like AV could be back on the menu again today as both the Yes and No campaigns ramp up their efforts to gain (any) attention/traction outside of the Westminster village. Unfortunately they’re going about this by holding events in the Westminster village. Ah well. First up are the Yes campaign who are (as we speak) holding a joint event with Ed Miliband, Charles Kennedy and Caroline Lucas. This was the event that Nick Clegg had stopped once before when he wasn’t invited – bless him – but he eventually relented after realising how ridiculous he looked (maybe).

Next up are the Labour No campaign, where Lord John Reid (yes, that one) will unveil their new poster. When you consider some of their previous efforts – which have caused some…disquiet – it may be worth keeping an eye on.

Speaking of ghosts from years gone by, Alan Milburn has written for the Guardian today, arguing that the NHS reforms are a mixture of good and bad. Thanks Alan, you’ve now given Cameron something else to selectively quote at PMQs, if he ever gets tired of perpetually misquoting John Healey. In fairness to Milburn though this is balanced and well argued. Well worth a read, especially in conjunction with this from Rachel Sylvester in The Times (£), where it is suggested that NHS reforms will face “radical surgery”. It certainly needs it.