on Radio 5 this afternoon? Came across as a decent human being with a life (a life and a half to be fair) before he went into politics. Surely he would be the best person to lead the Labour Party and the country.
He probably would, but a lot of Barnsley folk will just dribble that he "betrayed" them by daring to act in their best interests re. Brexit.
I really like him and not just because he's ex Army. I think he'd make a good leader but for whatever reason he doesn't seem to want to put himself forward.
Not everyone is cut out for it. Better not to put his hat in the ring if he doesn't feel like he is able/wants to.
Hasn't he stated a mixture of family reasons, plus the toll it would take on his mental health? Pretty sure I read something like that. And if so, nobody could really blame him.
Oh you're so right there Helen however that doesn't always stop those not cut out for it from getting it.
You could well be right and he's right not to go for it if he doesn't feel that the job is right for him. It's a shame all the same because just like Alan Johnson before him I think he's an outstanding candidate.
He's more sense than wanting to be "leader of the opposition", essentially a pointless job. I think he wants to be Mayor of One Yorkshire when it happens.
Lost respect for Alan Johnson, heard him putting the boot in to Corbyn too many times. No class. Even if you disagreed with Corbyn he’s a damn site better that the Tories. If Johnson didn’t agree with Corbyn then it was time to shut up. Many had the class to do that for example Gordon Brown. Blair and Johnson didn’t.
Exactly. Many of the good people that would make Labour a winning party have got their heads down. Because of his background Dan Jarvis would be an extremely difficult target for the Tories to attack. Another example of Labour trying their hardest to lose.
Is disagreement with Corbyn not allowed? There were a lot of Labour MPs that didn't agree with Corbyn, on various issues, but in regards of Johnson I think he'd have been an infinitely better leader than Corbyn given the opportunity. Just my opinion of course and it's all water under the bridge now.
Yes , he came across brilliantly well, intelligent, humble, honest hard working family man. Its obvious that he's waiting until his kids get older and less dependant on him before he inevitably goes for the leadership.
I read an article or heard him on radio saying he wanted at this stage to put all his efforts into representing his electorate and his Mayoral duties. Which he was also elected into office.
He's never "ducked" the Labour leadership contests,as you suggest. The first time he was mooted by the media ,his wife had recently died and his children were young. Since then the Labour party has had a few elections for leader and each time the media put him forward. Dan himself has never said he was going to run, he has said that he wants to develop as a politian and he is dedicated to Yorkshire politics. The ignorant,snide and sarky attacks on him ever since he became MP for Barnsley say more about the people doing that, than his integrity as a person and a politician. No I'm not a member of the Labour party or a supporter.