I wrote yesterday about some of the contenders to be next Labour general secretary; and left out a couple of names.
One of the strong frontrunners is said to be Michael Stephenson, general secretary of the Co-operative Party (not to be confused with the supermarket chain), who is a good communicator and a safe pair of hands. Stephenson previously worked at Downing Street and as a political adviser in Australia. The fact that he isn’t returning my texts today suggests that this rumour is correct.
The other challenger being mooted is John McTiernan, a former political secretary to Tony Blair.
The jostling has already begun in earnest: “I’ve seen them all wandering around Portcullis House putting in time with Labour MPs,” says one party hack.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey