Timetable for InAction

So we now have a Timetable for the Leadership election, or a Timetable for InAction. The new rules, whatever they are, will be put to the National Convention at the Party Conference and a leadership contest will then follow. It seems to me that there are two options. Flip the system, so the Party members choose the shortlist of three, who are then voted on by MPs, or have an electoral college. The latter would be fraught with complications - should Councillors have a say, should MEPs have 5% of the college? Lord only knows how that would be sorted out. I feel very angry that the Party has been put in this position. We're going to waste five months of internal examination when we should be hitting Blair where it hurts. The only advantage is that it will sort the men from the boys (let's face it, there won't be any women). Those without vision will rule themselves out. Those who can't cope with their new jobs will be found out.

Back to The West Wing...