So that begs the question as to who should now replace her. It won't be an easy decision for the THIS WEEK production team to make as few of her 'deputies' have made much of an impact. I quite liked the Hazel Blears/DD combination but I doubt whether there will be much appetite to axe Michael Portillo too.
Tessa Jowell would have been great, but she's in the Shadow Cabinet, as is Caroline Flint who was quite entertaining when she took over. Oona King is a possibility, as she was also good when she appeared one week.
I think they key thing is that whoever takes over has a sense of humour and has an incisive insight into Labour politics. Diane met the first criteria but not the second.
The only names from the Labour Party I can suggest are Ann Clywd, Fiona Mactaggart,
Of course, it doesn't have to be a serving MP. It could be an ex MP or a peer.
Who would you suggest?
* UPDATE: Dawn Primarolo is a deputy speaker, a fact which I had forgotten!
22 comments:
Tony Blair? Michael Foot?
Does it have to be female/human?
Dawn is a Deputy Speaker so guess that rules her out.
Think Giesla would be a great choice - she has the fiesty and honest side in addition to the against-the-party-line reputation which works on This Week.
There are few other high (enough) profile Labour women who spring to mind to be fair..
charles Clarke
Oona King was on and was fine though a little too on message to be as free-wheeling as Diane could be on occasion.
"Of course, it doesn't have to be a serving MP. It could be an ex MP or a peer."
Or even Muffin the Mule would be an adequate candidate. Abbott didn't add very much to the political insights, but maybe that's not what This Week is about anyway.
As to Abbott's Shadow appointment, frankly that's astonishing, in the light of her comments about blonde blue-eyed Finnish nurses - vociferously supported by that pillar of racial tolerance and harmony, Bernie Grant. Maybe she'll make a point of reassuring the Caucasian staff in our hospitals that this was all a merry quip - then again, maybe not.
Kate Hoey or Glenda Jackson might fun choices - but what is the likelihood of the BBC appointing anyone quite so Right Wing?
I think you (or your sources) are far to sanguine about her leaving. If Ken Livingston could keep his show for four months until he was the "official" candidate why couldn't Diane Abbott stay on THIS WEEK? I'm certain some pretext could be found to make it journalistically sound - how about "first-hand insight into the opposition benches".
Mandy + Portillo.
John Prescott
Peter Mandleson would appear to be available.
Iain...you are indeed firmly ensconced in the bubble......Blears? a self admitted tax evader who was shown on live tv by Neil only this week to still be an habitual liar? and you think it might be nice for cutesie little Hazel to grub our licence fee as well as our taxes. get a bloody grip man. she should be inside.
A tub of lard?
Kate Hoey without a doubt. Independent. Talks common sense. Probably rules her out as far as Labour is concerned then, Shame.
Got to be Mandelson..if they can afford him
The BBC would NEVER have Kate Hoey. She is no on the left of the Labour party, so you can rule her out regretably.
It would be a refreshing change to have no socialists on a political programme, since they already have far too much influence on what is broadcast.
David Starkey please.
I'd love to watch him cross examine some of the "right on" trendy guests.
@ Atanu
Nobody can afford Mandelson, least of all the UK. He's cost us all far too much already.
The show is tired and should be dropped.
Ditto Newsnight.
If it comes to that, why not axe the BBC entirely and let its overpaid and cosseted managers and presenters try and find a billet elsewhere in our over-catered broadcast media?
ps my word verification is bleras so supernatural cyberforces may favour the chipmunk.
It must NOT be an MP.
It gave Diane Abbott a wholly undeserved regular platform and was inimical to balance.
Of the names mentioned, my preference is for Kate Hoey. Don't think Brillo will want Oona King as he became very irritated with her flagwaving performance last time, as did I.
Anyone who voted against Lisbon would do. Hooey, Gisela are good examples.
A role for Chris Mullin?
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