Labour Leadership candidates

Here some quick thoughts on leadership candidates so far.

Liz and Jeremy have made clear their platforms with Andy and Yvette being vague.

Liz Kendall

Part of the Blairite clan but appears the Blairites have disowned her.  Get the feeling she would be able to bring back Tory swing voters and couple other voters groups.  Problem is unlike Tony Blair lacks the same level of charisma and support.  Core focus of her campaign devolution and unions.

She could be a nightmare to fight against however would need support from Blairites clan in order to win.

Jeremy Corbyn

Supporters include anti austerity voters and young voters. Which is amazing given his current age that he has been able to gain support from younger members.  Problem he would face would be convincing parts of New Labour to support his platform.  Many think that anti austerity is a death wish with U turn should happen nearer the time.  Not sure he would be able to swing over Tory voters from 2015 and other groups like SNP block.  However he does appear that he wants to make Labour a movement against with grass roots being most important part.

Core focus of the campaign greenroots and anti austerity.

Andy Burnham

Supporters from the Blairite fraction of the party with his focus being on austerity lite.  Trying to win over swing Tories and core Labour voters with a mix of policy that borrowed from Ed millband.  I don’t think he would lead the party to victory but just more of the same result over Ed Millband.

Maybe he could win but I don’t think he would be able to win based on the method Ed Millband tried.

Core focus is on the NHS and sounding tough on austerity.

Yvette Cooper

Silence so far but a strong women against austerity but won’t shout about it.

Supporters from a range of areas but lacks a clear platform bit like Andy.