From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Labour Party (UK) leadership election
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2007 ←
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16 August 2010 (2010-08-16) - 22 September 2010 (2010-09-22)
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The 2010 Labour Party leadership election was triggered by a general election which resulted in a hung parliament. On 10 May, Gordon Brown resigned as Leader of the Labour Party. The following day, he stepped down as Prime Minister.[1] The National Executive Committee decided the timetable for the election the result of which would be announced at the annual party conference.[2][3] On 25 September, Ed Miliband became the new Leader of the Labour Party.[4]
[edit] Procedure
The rules of the Labour Party state that "each nomination [for leader] must be supported by 12.5 per cent of the Commons members of the Parliamentary Labour Party."[5] As the number of Labour MPs is 257 (the 258 returned at the general election[6] minus Eric Illsley, who was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party)[7] 33 MPs need to support any nomination. Nominations opened on 24 May and were to close on 27 May,[8] but the deadline was extended to 9 June after complaints from John McDonnell, Diane Abbott and Ed Miliband that the short deadline provided insufficient time to secure the 33 nominations from MPs needed for inclusion on the ballot.[2][9] The ballot took place between 1 and 22 September, with the results announced on the first day of the party's conference in Manchester on 25 September.[3] There were three distinct electorates, the electors of which cast their votes on a "one member, one vote" basis in each applicable category:
- Labour members of the House of Commons and the European Parliament
- Individual members of the party
- Individual members of affiliated organisations, such as trade unions and socialist societies
Each of the three electorates or sections contributed one third (33.33 per cent) of the total votes and were counted using the Alternative Vote system. The election was run by the National Executive Committee and the results were announced at the annual conference in September 2010.[5]
[edit] Union recommendation controversy
Under Labour Party rules, trade unions are allowed to make recommendations to their members, but are barred from doing this in the same communication that contains the ballot paper. During the election, it emerged that both the GMB and Unite had included both an envelope containing the ballot paper, and promotional material for Ed Miliband, their favoured candidate, in the same envelope, attracting criticism that they had breached the spirit of the rules. [10][11]
[edit] Candidates
At a meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 May 2010, it was agreed that no one would announce their candidacy until after formal negotiations in regards to forming a government were resolved.[12] The Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition on 11 May, and David Miliband became the first person to announce his candidacy the following day. A total of six candidates emerged by 20 May:
On 9 June John McDonnell withdrew from the contest[20] in favour of Diane Abbott,[17] who eventually made the ballot paper.[21]
[edit] Nominations
Candidates must receive nominations from at least 12.5 per cent of the 257 Parliamentary Labour Party members (33) to appear on the ballot. John McDonnell had 16 nominations when he withdrew on 9 June, in favour of Diane Abbott.[22] The final nominations figures were as follows:[23]
[edit] Noteworthy MPs who declined to stand
Some MPs seen as potential candidates decided against doing so:
- Yvette Cooper[24] – supported her husband Ed Balls,[25] former Work and Pensions Secretary
- Jon Cruddas[24] – backbencher who stood for Deputy Leader in 2007; He nominated Diane Abbott,[26] supported David Miliband,[27]
- Alistair Darling[24] – supported David Miliband,[28][29] former Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Peter Hain[30] – supported Ed Miliband,[30] former Wales Secretary, previously Northern Ireland and Work and Pensions Secretary
- Harriet Harman[24] – neutral but nominated Diane Abbott,[31] acting leader following Gordon Brown's departure, former Leader of the House of Commons
- Alan Johnson[24] – supported David Miliband,[32] former Home Secretary, previously Health Secretary and Education Secretary
- Jack Straw[24] – nominated Diane Abbott[33] and supported David Milliband,[34] former Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, previously Foreign and Home Secretary
In the months before the 2010 general election, some other notable politicians were mentioned as possible future leadership candidates, but were not sitting MPs at the time the contest took place, and therefore not eligible to stand under Labour Party rules. Those mentioned as possible leaders in this regard were Ruth Kelly, Peter Mandelson[35] and James Purnell.[36] All three of them backed David Miliband.
[edit] Televised debates
[edit] Opinion polling
[edit] Results
In accordance with the principles of the Alternative Vote system, until one candidate won a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes in each round was eliminated and his or her second preference votes distributed to other candidates.
First round
Candidate |
MPs/MEPs |
CLPs |
Affiliates |
Total |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
% |
|
David Miliband |
111 |
13.91% |
55,905 |
14.69% |
58,189 |
9.18% |
37.78% |
|
Ed Miliband |
84 |
10.53% |
37,980 |
9.98% |
87,585 |
13.82% |
34.33% |
|
Ed Balls |
40 |
5.01% |
12,831 |
3.37% |
21,618 |
3.41% |
11.79% |
|
Andy Burnham |
24 |
3.01% |
10,844 |
2.85% |
17,904 |
2.83% |
8.68% |
|
Diane Abbott N |
7 |
0.88% |
9,314 |
2.45% |
25,938 |
4.09% |
7.42% |
The total of first-round votes for Balls, Burnham, and Abbott (27.89%) was less than Ed Miliband's vote (34.33%). Thus, it was certain after the first round that Balls, Burnham, and Abbott would all be eliminated; if the Party rules permitted, they could have been eliminated together, reducing the contest to two rounds.
Second round
Candidate |
MPs/MEPs |
CLPs |
Affiliates |
Total |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
% |
|
David Miliband |
111 |
14.02% |
57,128 |
15.08% |
61,336 |
9.80% |
38.89% |
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Ed Miliband |
88 |
11.11% |
42,176 |
11.13% |
95,335 |
15.23% |
37.47% |
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Ed Balls |
41 |
5.18% |
14,510 |
3.83% |
26,441 |
4.22% |
13.23% |
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Andy Burnham N |
24 |
3.03% |
12,498 |
3.30% |
25,528 |
4.08% |
10.41% |
Third round
Candidate |
MPs/MEPs |
CLPs |
Affiliates |
Total |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
% |
|
David Miliband |
125 |
15.78% |
60,375 |
16.08% |
66,889 |
10.86% |
42.72% |
|
Ed Miliband |
96 |
12.12% |
46,697 |
12.43% |
102,882 |
16.71% |
41.26% |
|
Ed Balls N |
43 |
5.43% |
18,114 |
4.82% |
35,512 |
5.77% |
16.02% |
Fourth round
Candidate |
MPs/MEPs |
CLPs |
Affiliates |
Total |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
Votes |
% |
% |
|
Ed Miliband Y |
122 |
15.52% |
55,992 |
15.20% |
119,405 |
19.93% |
50.65% |
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David Miliband |
140 |
17.81% |
66,814 |
18.13% |
80,266 |
13.40% |
49.35% |
Source: Labour Party website
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Gordon Brown 'stepping down as Labour leader'". BBC News. 10 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8672859.stm. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ a b "PLP nominations period for Leadership Election to close on 9 June". Labour Party. 20 May 2010. http://www2.labour.org.uk/plp-nominations-period-for-leadership-election-to-close-on-9-jun,2010-05-20. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
- ^ a b "New Labour leader to be elected at September conference". BBC News. 18 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8688959.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
- ^ "Ed Miliband is elected leader of the Labour Party". BBC News. 25 September 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11412031.
- ^ a b Chris Lennie, Acting General Secretary, ed (2008). "4". The Labour Party Rule Book 2008. The Labour Party. pp. 24–25. http://www.savethelabourparty.org/labourpartyrulebook2008.pdf. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "Election 2010". BBC News. 7 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/default.stm. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "Labour MP charged over expenses". BBC News. 19 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8691861.stm. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ "Labour's NEC agrees timetable for the election of next Leader of the Labour Party". Labour Party. 18 May 2010. http://www2.labour.org.uk/labours-nec-agrees-timetable-for-the-election-of-next-leader-of-,2010-05-18. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
- ^ "Labour extends leadership race deadline". BBC News. 20 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8695225.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ Ed Miliband union backers accused over Labour ballot mail-out The Guardian 24 September 2010.
- ^ Unite union 'ignored rules in endorsing Ed Miliband' The Independent 10 September 2010
- ^ Curtis, Polly (10 May 2010). "David Miliband and Ed Balls set to launch Labour leadership bids". The Guardian (London: Guardian News and Media). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/10/labour-david-miliband-ed-balls. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "Diane Abbott enters Labour leadership contest". BBC News. 20 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8693687.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Ed Balls announces he will stand for Labour leader". BBC News. 19 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8690947.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Andy Burnham enters Labour leadership contest". BBC News. 20 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8692850.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Labour leadership race discredited, says MP McDonnell". BBC News. 18 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8690259.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
- ^ a b Hélène Mulholland and Allegra Stratton (9 June 2010). "John McDonnell withdraws from Labour leadership race in favour of Diane Abbott". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jun/09/john-mcdonnell-withdraws-labour-leadership-race. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ^ Allegra Stratton, political correspondent (12 May 2010). "David Miliband announces Labour leadership bid". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/12/labourleadership-labour. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Ed Miliband to take on brother David in leader battle". BBC News. 14 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8684063.stm. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
- ^ Woodcock, Andrew (9 June 2010). "John McDonnell withdraws from Labour leadership race". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-withdraws-from-labour-leadership-race-1995311.html.
- ^ Mulholland, Helene (9 June 2010). "Diane Abbott makes it on to Labour leadership ballot". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jun/09/diane-abbott-makes-it-on-to-labour-leadership-ballot.
- ^ "John McDonnell withdraws from Labour leadership race". BBC News. 9 June 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10271228.stm. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ^ "Diane Abbott Joins 'Open' Labour Leader Race". Sky News. 9 June 2010. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Labour-Leadership-Left-Wing-Candidate-John-McDonnell-Pulls-Out-Of-Labour-Leadership-Race/Article/201006215646125?f=rss.
- ^ a b c d e f "Labour leadership contest: Runners and riders". BBC News. 26 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8668608.stm. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "2010 Labour leadership election-Ed Balls". Labour Party. http://www2.labour.org.uk/leadership-Ed-Balls. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ "Jon Cruddas backs Diane Abbott for Labour leader". International Business Times. 5 June 2010. http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/27000/20100605/jon-cruddas-backs-diane-abbott-for-labour-leader.htm. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ Cowley, Jason (25 August 2010). "Exclusive: Jon Cruddas endorses David Miliband". New Statesman. http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/08/labour-cruddas-david. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- ^ Stratton, Allegra (1 June 2010). "David Miliband wins backing of Alistair Darling in Labour leadership race". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jun/01/david-miliband-backing-alistair-darling-labour-leadership. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ Wintour, Patrick (1 June 2010). "Alistair Darling backs David Miliband for Labour leadership". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/wintour-and-watt/2010/jun/01/alistair-darling-david-miliband-labour. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ a b Evans, Judith (17 May 2010). "David Miliband hails 'next Labour' as he opens leadership bid". Times Online (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7128845.ece.
- ^ Woodcock, Andrew (8 June 2010). "Harriet Harman nominates Diane Abbott for Labour leadership". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/harriet-harman-nominates-diane-abbott-for-labour-leadership-1994633.html.
- ^ "Alan Johnson backs David Miliband for Labour leadership". Daily Telegraph (London). 12 May 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/7713705/Alan-Johnson-backs-David-Miliband-for-Labour-leadership.html. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ "2010 Labour leadership election-Diane Abbott". Labour Party. http://www2.labour.org.uk/leadership-Diane-Abbott. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ Smith, Lewis (12 August 2010). "Straw backs Miliband in leadership race". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/straw-backs-miliband-in-leadership-race-2050307.html. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
- ^ "Peter Mandelson 'officially' rules out ever being Labour leader". Daily Telegraph (London). 13 August 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6022332/Peter-Mandelson-officially-rules-out-ever-being-Labour-leader.html. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- ^ Porter, Andrew; Riddell, Mary (24 July 2009). "Ed Balls attacks Labour leadership rival James Purnell". Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/5903183/Ed-Balls-attacks-Labour-leadership-rival-James-Purnell.html. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ YouGov / Sun survey YouGov/The Sun, 29 July 2010
- ^ Neck and neck YouGov, 13 September 2010
[edit] External links
[edit] Party websites
[edit] Candidates' leadership campaign websites
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