Labour leadership contest?

The big question that is sure to be referred to almost every day until it’s decided is will there be a Labour leadership contest?

Today Stephen Byers (a Blairite) has warned Gordon Brown (although not by name) that Labour will not just follow his lead and "The Labour Party is not royalty and we don't go in for coronations.”

It doesn’t surprise me that an ally of Blair is making these warnings but does he have a point?

I think he does. A Labour leadership contest can only be good for the Labour Party, whereas a coronation for Brown will bring all sorts of difficulties. These will be set to one side should he win a fair leadership battle. It is clear from the Conservative leadership contest of the benefits it can bring to the party. Not to mention all the media coverage whilst it takes place.

It is for this reason that I’m slightly surprised by the line the Conservatives are taking. They are taunting Gordon Brown using the line “Labour only has a mandate for a full Blair term, anything else requires a General Election and they’ve stitched it up (the leadership) so there’s not even an election in his own party”.

Now attacking Brown over a General Election I agree with, however encouraging him to fight a leadership contest can only benefit the Labour Party. A bounce in the polls from which to call a General Election could lead to a new Labour Government. Whereas no leadership contest, a split Labour Party and a hostile media is sure to be play right into the Conservative’s hands.

Mike Smithson of PBC is offering £200 that “Gordon Brown will not get his coronation”