The Blairites wouldn't be welcome anyway, though. I think Burnham will see an opportunity and join it - the conciliatory words about Corbyn throughout his campaign pointed that way.

Jamie, I can understand your passion and I respect your views, but I honestly wouldn't say that the Conservative regime is 'vile'. Everyone goes into politics to do the best they can for society - we may disagree about how you go about doing that, but I don't' think it's fair to say the Conservatives are vile.

As for Tristram, well he's a first class historian, and backed some of the Conservative reforms in opening up free schools to thousands of students. Admittedly that probably doesn't make him flavour of the month for you! Not everyone who is working class has to support Labour, and not everyone who is middle/upper class has to support the Conservatives - just look at Harriet Harman!

I don't mind Tristram Hunt, though I don't particularly like him. I really can't stand Chuka Umunna though, he's so smarmy.

Hellenic - Ha, I'd agree with that about Chuka! I really, really wanted him to win when he first declared he was running.

Chuka might as well change his middle name to "ambition", because that's the only thing that shines through about him.

Lots of speculation that Angela Eagle will get the Shadow Chancellor role. I think that would go down well - she's capable, organised, and was very pro-Corbyn in her deputy campaign.

@ cgwhite: "Everyone goes into politics to do the best they can for society."

As someone who has worked for a Member of Parliament, a Member of the Scottish Parliament, and as a parliamentary employee, I wish I could agree that the above statement is true. However it is my view (and my experience) that it is not.

Many people go into politics to do the best they can for society. Some people go into politics to do the best they can for themselves, or for the particular interests that they serve.

Hellenic - I worked opposite Angela Eagle for 2 1/2 years for her opposite number and always quite liked her, though she always seemed to me to be a bit lightweight - always going for the easy laugh rather than the rapier cut in her speeches, always trying just a little too hard. Undeniably she's got the experience with her Treasury background, and this would be a meteoric promotion for her.

Jamie - we probably were working for MPs around the same time then. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but it was rare indeed I ever thought someone was in it for the money - politics isn't that well paid compared to other city jobs, and the public scrutiny is so intense now you have to actively want to make a difference and be prepared to put up with the snouts in the trough attitude from the public who think every MP is as bad as those caught out in the expenses scandal. There are always a few bad apples, and because they are in the public eye the reporting is rightly very hostile. People forget there are 650 MPs, and the vast majority are there trying week in week out to solve some very tricky problems on behalf of their constituents. I was a researcher for 4 years before I became a spad and dealt with some horrific cases, some of which we were able to help solve, others sadly not.

I agree that the *majority* of MPs try to do a good job. I do however believe that some on the Tory side have very twisted principles.

I think there is the odd rotten apple in every barrel, so to speak - let's leave it at that.

What many observers have failed to notice is that JC's behaviour and stated views are at one with the zeitgeist.
It will be interesting to see how many more people join the Labour party today.

History tells us of many leaders that come from obscurity with a message that appeals to the masses and lead social revolutions.

The public no longer believes the spin. At the next election voters will choose with 2020 vision.

Bearing in mind we are in the UK not Venezula, let's look back at social revolutions from leaders who come from obscurity with a message that appeals to the masses...



*thinks for a minute*



Got it - Tony Blair did that for Labour - won you three elections!

Clement Attlee.

I'll give you that one Jamie, but raise you with Disraeli

60% is a pretty strong mandate, which I hope translates into decent opposition. Labour cannot win from the left. Therefore sad to see MPs to the right ruling themselves out of SC positions.

Dear Octavious,

It is a deep honour to be elected as the Labour Party's new Leader. The honour is not about holding office — it is about the opportunity to serve you in the fight to get a better government for our country.

I want to pay tribute to Andy, Yvette and Liz. As the last few weeks have shown, each of them cares passionately about the Labour party and its values and has made a fantastic contribution to it.

The Labour Party is the joint endeavour of each and every one of us that believe in fairness, equality and social justice. If you share these values then I want to use your talents to make us stronger, and I want to represent you.

So, help me be your representative. When I stand at the despatch box for Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, I want to be your voice.


What do you want to ask David Cameron? Tell me now and I will put your questions to him in parliament. My questions will be your questions.

Thank you for your commitment to building a better future. I look forward to working with you.

Best wishes,

Jeremy Corbyn

So, anyone got any good questions for Wednesday?

"Why are Americans writing my questions?"

I'm still confused what game you guys are talking about. Witcher 3?

Will all UK citizens have the right to vote in the EU referendum?

What about those disenfranchised through living overseas for more than 15 years?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34240869

Burnham for Shadow Home Secretary. No Umunna. Life is positive. Let's see where the rest go.

Nice to see Hilary Benn given a top position too. Benn has long been an MP who passionately campaigns for the principle that what you get out of life should be based upon effort, not who you know or who your family is. Just like his father, the MP Tony Benn, his grandfather (Lord Stansgate), and his great grandfather (the MP Sir John Benn) before him.

On Benn i think that he should get a treasury job - tax avoidance in particular seems to be a particular interest.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/tax/11189430/Tony-Benns-inheritance-tax-dodge-how-it-works-and-how-you-can-use-it-too.html

Set a thei

Got it - Tony Blair did that for Labour - won you three elections!

so did Maggie for the Cons and she didn't have great deal of support from the old boys network.

''Tristram Hunt? He's a scab and a class traitor. ''

Well I wonder what class the majority of UCU members belong to? I would wager that most were born into considerably more privalage than the students at Queen Marys who they didnt want to teach.

And who might get housing.......................I think that the man in the know is Michael Meacher http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/jan/20/politics.labour

John McDonnell as Chancellor was a mistake and my first disappointment with JC.

Angela Eagle should have taken that role, and McDonnell the Business Sec role.

Promoting friends and offering the country an all-male top four line-up is not what I wanted to see.

@ fulhamish:

".....than the students at Queen Marys who they didn't want to teach....."

Do you seriously believe that people ballot for strike action because they want a cheeky extra holiday?? Really?

Fuck you, you ignorant prick.

The Stalinist language of the new zeitgeist does you credit. I admire Queen Mary's, they have a large proportion of working class students drawn from their East End environs. Those largely middle class left wing lecturers picketing such an institution struck me as being deeply ironic. That was one picket line that should have been crossed. Have a nice day.