BBC News Bulletin: SPD Leadership Debate
Candidate debate highlights deep divisions within Social Democratic Party
By Adam Fleming
Weeks of internal confrontation within the SDP climaxed on Monday with a three-way debate between the candidates. On July 27-29th, 1,373 party delegates will decide who gets to lead a divided party whose fracture lines showed at the debate, held at Callaghan House in London.
Alan Sugar laid the blame for the party’s continuing crisis on Alan Johnson, and his preferred successor David Miliband. Sugar, who is focusing on Miliband as the rival to beat, said that his constant “swerving” on the issues during the debate would lead to defeat for the SDP. At the local elections, the SDP lost nearly 9,000 Councillors, representing their worst ever electoral result. Leader Alan Johnson was forced into a humiliating resignation after failing to pass an EU bailout through Parliament.
“David, the problem is you,” said Sugar on Monday, accusing his rival of lacking a clear project. “I don’t think you are pro-bailout or anti-bailout: you are pro-David Miliband and you do whatever is in your own best interest.”
The third man, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, blamed both Miliband and Sugar for getting a bad deal with the European Troika. The bailout, and subsequent austerity move is a betrayal that the party grassroots have not forgiven
“Alan, I hope you will acknowledge that you got a bad deal in Copenhagen,” he told him.
Besides attacking one another, all nominees also made campaign promises. “If the SDP, with me at the helm, does not do better at the polls, I will leave; I will not lay the responsibility at anyone else’s feet,” said Sugar. And Burnham announced that “if I am secretary general, my first measure will be to fly to Brussels to renegotiate the Copenhagen deal.”
David Miliband accused both his rivals of helping create a rift within the Social Democrats. He warned that the SDP “runs the risk of splintering and disappearing” if either man won.
Miliband has portrayed himself as the only candidate who can find common ground between the different factions of the party. “We are divided and confronted with extinction,”
Miliband accused Sugar of plotting against Johnson's leadership and hammered him for suggesting a grand coalition with William Hague.
Miliband is seen as the favourite, but figures from earlier this month revealed that the contest is closer than expected. Polls have shown Sugar slipping in support and Burnham surging upwards. One YouGov poll showed Sugar only favoured by 20% of party members.
Both Miliband and Sugar have taken it easy on Burnham in the campaign, in a bid to attract some of his supporters. However Burnham's rise in the polls suggest this strategy may change. Adam Fleming, BBC News
By Adam Fleming
Alan Sugar laid the blame for the party’s continuing crisis on Alan Johnson, and his preferred successor David Miliband. Sugar, who is focusing on Miliband as the rival to beat, said that his constant “swerving” on the issues during the debate would lead to defeat for the SDP. At the local elections, the SDP lost nearly 9,000 Councillors, representing their worst ever electoral result. Leader Alan Johnson was forced into a humiliating resignation after failing to pass an EU bailout through Parliament.
“David, the problem is you,” said Sugar on Monday, accusing his rival of lacking a clear project. “I don’t think you are pro-bailout or anti-bailout: you are pro-David Miliband and you do whatever is in your own best interest.”
The third man, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, blamed both Miliband and Sugar for getting a bad deal with the European Troika. The bailout, and subsequent austerity move is a betrayal that the party grassroots have not forgiven
“Alan, I hope you will acknowledge that you got a bad deal in Copenhagen,” he told him.
Besides attacking one another, all nominees also made campaign promises. “If the SDP, with me at the helm, does not do better at the polls, I will leave; I will not lay the responsibility at anyone else’s feet,” said Sugar. And Burnham announced that “if I am secretary general, my first measure will be to fly to Brussels to renegotiate the Copenhagen deal.”
David Miliband accused both his rivals of helping create a rift within the Social Democrats. He warned that the SDP “runs the risk of splintering and disappearing” if either man won.
Miliband has portrayed himself as the only candidate who can find common ground between the different factions of the party. “We are divided and confronted with extinction,”
Miliband accused Sugar of plotting against Johnson's leadership and hammered him for suggesting a grand coalition with William Hague.
Both Miliband and Sugar have taken it easy on Burnham in the campaign, in a bid to attract some of his supporters. However Burnham's rise in the polls suggest this strategy may change. Adam Fleming, BBC News
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