The Test of whether the Left will stand

Since the Glasgow East by-election, speculation has again intensified about the prospect of a challenge to Gordon Brown's leadership of the Labour Party - reflecting the parlous state of the Party in the opinion polls and in three consecutive by-elections.

John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said

“The reason people have turned away from Labour is the message not the messenger. Shooting the messenger and replacing him with yet another New Labour MP who has supported the politics that have nearly destroyed the Party would be absolutely futile. The electorate aren't stupid. They would see through this stunt within weeks.”

“Labour has a last chance to demonstrate political change through the policy programme that comes out of Warwick this weekend and is agreed by Labour Party conference in September. If that opportunity for radical change is not taken, it will be then that the Left will need to take the decision to challenge for the future direction of our party.”

-ends-