Michael Meacher MP

The Shadow Cabinet results are very revealing, on several counts.   Out of the 19 elected members, 10 voted for David Miliband, and only 3 or 4 voted for Ed.   It is packed with the Blairite Tendency, several of the militant brand, and their influence is not to be under-estimated.   Even in the wider Shadow Cabinet of 27, including Lords members and those co-opted by the Leader, Ed only secured the vote of 6 or 7.   There is not a single person in the Shadow Cabinet who could be described as a natural left-winger, though perhaps a quarter could be categorised as moderate centre-left.   Significantly Diane Abbott, one of the 5 leadership candidates and the only left-wing candidate for the Shadow Cabinet, was not elected. (more…)