Crick saying Umunna was upset the press doorstepped not just his mother, but his girlfriend's parents and even her 102-year old grandmother. Sad that it comes with territory nowadays, but no one should be forced to take it if they do not want it
The maths potentially work for Labour at a much lower level than at present most Conservatives seem to have appreciated. Labour may have only remote hopes of gaining majority power by itself in 2020. It has perfectly sensible hopes of getting some power in 2020.
Although it is encouraging to see Labourites already determined to repeat all the mistakes of 2010, when they assumed that the 2015 election would be like 2010, except they'd have solved their leader problem and the economy they wrecked would now be the Tories' fault. In the event, of course, the Tories did not stand still. I am quite relaxed about Labour re-fighting 2015 in 2020 and being wrong-footed by everything that happens in between.
Looking for a book on a successful leader, political or non political, who had constant success without any rough times or criticism. Any recommendations?
Something about the Duke of Wellington (though only as a military commander; he had setbacks later as PM); or Scipio; or Montgomery (who was criticised much later but not a lot at the time); or what about Steve Jobs?
apparently something related to his "extended family"....
Generally in politics, we appear to be past the affairs, hiding your sexuality (e.g Crispin Blunt), or an extended member of your family doing something bad (e.g. We were talking about Norman Lamb and his son only yesterday) being a killer blow.
Norman Lamb's son did not do anything bad. He suffered from illness. A reason for compassion rather than opprobrium.
If charities spent less money on providing ridiculous stuffed toys and gimmicks they might stand a better chance of making a difference. Of course, the trick is working out which ones want to change the world and which ones want to get rich in the name of a good cause.
If you need any help figuring out that is precisely what my grants team do! (and they do it very well)
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Sturgeon, Blair, Thatcher, Cameron, Wilson etc all proved that.
Also Labour may lose support in core vote areas whilst picking up "Pudsey man".
The half decent leader is looking a bit of an issue for them right now though.