Hi team,
I just realised I never uploaded this - whilst it's been thoroughly spoiled now I thought some might like to read anyway
Ciao,
Powerab
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SDP Leadership: Runners and Riders
By Anoosh Chakelian
After David Miliband resigns following his party's EU election defeat, eyes turn to who may replace him as the next SDP leader.
A SDP source has told the New Statesman that Andy Burnham, Polly Toynbee and Len McCluskey are mulling a run for the party leadership.
Ed Balls is not ruling it out either.
Here are some more details about them and other names in the frame to replace David Miliband:
Douglas Alexander
The shadow health secretary has shown himself to be a consistent and capable performer making him an obvious front-runner. A close ally of Alan Johnson and a native Scot, he is likely to be a standard bearer for the moderate wing of the party. Might struggle to form a majority as leader though - his hatred for the Alternative and Scottish Separatists is well documented.
Ed Balls
The shadow home secretary has maintained a high-profile in challenging the Government over organised crime. Seen as a possible unity candidate between the liberal and populist wings of the party. Although his brash personal style might hinder any outreach attempts. Ed has moved in a more eurosceptic as shadow home secretary, calling for the Barnier Commission to "get a grip" on Europe's border crisis.
Rosie Boycott
Many may have looked to the SDP veteran and current deputy leader as a safe pair of hands, but she has announced she is to step down. Still, she might be tempted to reconsider if things get really dire. If she changed her mind Boycott would be in a strong position, warmed and well liked - she has the phone number of every SDP MP, Senator and MEP
Andy Burnham
A rising star and darling of the populists, Burnham has made no secret of wanting a second go after his narrow loss to David Miliband in 2012. Burnham is best placed to counter the People's Party's yellow wave. Although if he wants to have another crack he'll have to reassure the SDP's intellectual base of his pro-European credentials. If he runs he'll likely have the backing of Amicus and the AGO.
Yvette Cooper
A year ago Yvette would have been a shoe in. The plan was to spend a few years scrapping with the separatists before triumphantly returning to Westminster - but her disastrous campaign for the Scottish Parliament has severely diminished her odds. Yvette is now stuck in St Andrew's house without even a free Presidential question to her name,
Sadiq Khan
A folk hero to many, Khan had his 15 minutes of fame when he stood up to the 2009 coup and led military reform. His book on the 2009 coup "The Witness" has become an international smash hit. Would Khan be willing to make the jump from national treasure to the dirty world of front-line politics? Despite his reputation as a self-promoter, Khan has solid political instincts, he was the first SDP politician to sound the alarm bells on the People's Party.
Len McCluskey
Every few months "Red Len" threatens to defect to the Alternative but never does. A former union shop steward, McCluskey is the leader of the SDP's increasingly small number of old-school social democrats. McCluskey has called for a "popular front" with the Alternative and People's Party to fight the next election. Although allies have called on him to run for the more winnable deputy post instead.
Rachel Reeves
The quiet rise of Rachel Reeves has been something to behold. She has been assiduous in developing SDP fiscal rules as a junior treasury minister. She knows the SDP is seen as over-spenders and is determined to attack this perception. If the Social Democrats want to face down National's defect attacks head on, they could do worse than a former Bank of England economist.
Polly Toynbee
Polly Toynbee remains an influential figure on the right of the party and long may she do so. She has her fair share of detractors, but what she says matters in centrist circles. Alan Johnson has called on Toynbee to run calling her the party's "best hope". Still unlike Johnson Toynbee has few friends in the unions, an open primary is probably her best shot at the crown.
Chuka Umunna
He comes across as reasonable, and appears to be the sweet voice of Johnsonism, but he is developing an inner steel. However he is seen to be all things to all men with few enemies on the SDP benches - but also very few friends - If he is to cement his position as a potential leadership candidate he needs to develop some identifiable beliefs.