Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
20 January 2011
18:4789685This resignation came out of the blue late this afternoon. Its all on Sky News as we speak. This is a very bad blow for Labour to lose their high flying good guy Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson.
The man has a mixture of excellent charisma, weight, and experience which will be mightily hard to replace on the frontbenches. In fact they have now replaced him, its been announced, with the non charismatic but earnest Ed Balls. Balls often spoken in the same breath as Gordon Brown so not ideal.
Labour cannot afford to lose guys like Johnson. Very bad break for Labour.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
20 January 2011
18:5889687So we shall now be treated to even more Balls from his replacement. At least Balls is quite bright, he understands the money issues even though in Government he demonstrated a firm belief that it grows on trees.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 January 2011
19:0989688i was surprised that alan johnson was given a job he was not suited to in the first place, he would have made mincemeat of theresa may if he had been made her shadow.
mind you, i think i could do that too.
my suspicion is that sometimes red ed wanted to rid himself of the popular old guard, mr johnson was always very popular.
in the old days the prime minister used to send his/her(mostly her) to northern ireland.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
20 January 2011
19:2589691Howard, why do you believe Alan Johnson resignation was not for personal reasons as he stated or is that not what you meant.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
20 January 2011
19:5689696Here is a picture of the main man himself on his very pleasant visit to Dover last year..Labour are reeling at the news of his resignation
from left to right: Cllr Mick Smith, Alan Johnson Home Secretary at the time, Gwyn Prosser MP for Dover at the time, Cllr Jan Tranter former Mayor of Dover, and Cllr Anne Smith.
Alan Johnson was close to being Leader at one time there..age I think played a part in him not going through for nomination. But he was the most popular of all with the public.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
20 January 2011
21:3689710one of labours stars
shame he has personal family problems hope he sorts them
don't think he was bset choice for treasury
but a fantastic politician
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 January 2011
21:5189713jan
the personal/family problem is just an excuse to jump ship, as i am sure you know.
i always think of the cabinet minister that resigned in the early eighties saying that "he wanted to spend more time with his family".
a colleague voiced "cannot think what they have done to deserve that".
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
20 January 2011
21:5289716howard
i'm willing to believe him
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
20 January 2011
22:3989724I am not at all sure Howard that was why I asked if you knew otherwise.
Milibands reply included "I wish you all the best at this difficult time" not the sort of comment to use if it was an "excuse to jump ship" as you put it.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 658- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 660
20 January 2011
23:1689725The rumour in certain circles is that he has marital problems, and as such is concentrating his efforts on them at the moment.As to what the problems are i think the Sunday scandal sheets will tell us. Much as i dislike the man i think any marital problems he has are his business not ours.
beer the food of the gods
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
20 January 2011
23:1789727guzzler the last part of your post i agree
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
21 January 2011
00:1289730I always thought he was a lightweight. The Labour Party needs brighter people on the front bench than him. The basic problem with Labour is that they tend to promote people who won't show everyone else up.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
21 January 2011
00:1489731Rumour on the political blogs is he was having an affair with a civil servant, so if he was on the job on the job as it were then it is our business.
Also rumoured that the story was given to the Sunday Times by Ed Balls special adviser Alex Belardinelli in order to get rid of Johnson knowing Red Ed had no other choice to replace him - going to be developing over the next few days methinks.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
21 January 2011
05:5789736he was way out of his depth as Shadow Chancellor and he knew it.
Remember he admitted when given the job that he would need to read and economics primer...
I dont know whether he did so or not but he carried on with gaffs right up to a few days ago. One I remember was his saying recently that employer national insurance is 20%, its 12.8%. He simply could not master his brief.
As for Balls, well his name says it all really. A highly partisan political operator and one of the main architects of the economic disaster we have now. I admit he will be good in opposition but this man must never again get anywhere near the nations purse strings.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
21 January 2011
07:3289739LABOUR'S Balls on the Line!
I was trying to conjure up a suitable headline there. Yes Alan Johnson wasnt hugely comfortable as Shadow Chancellor but it was hoped his good natured popularity would help him present Labours case to the public. It didnt entirely work. But he himself is a considerable loss to labour as he was one of the few politicians that people actually listened to.
Latest news is that the policeman protecting Alan Johnsons wife may have had an affair with her, the police officer has been reported to Scotland yard. Its beginning to look a right mess.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
21 January 2011
09:0489745whatever the personal details this is for aan johnson and i wish him well
i think hes an outstanding politiucian and will again im sure be back giving his all
good luck alan
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
21 January 2011
10:5789762not sure if he will return, if the reds gain power at the next election he will be 65.
i reckon he will call it a day in politics.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
21 January 2011
13:0689775Next time the reds get in we shall all be octogenarians.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
21 January 2011
13:4189783Yes haveing meet Alan Johnson he will be missed he was a very down to earth guy, just shows how you do have a private life when you are a public figure.
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
21 January 2011
13:5689785"Next time the reds get in we shall all be octogenarians." #18
Only four years then Peter
