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Shadow Cabinet elections

October 07, 2010 10:59

I've been trying to find a bookie offering odds on today's results, but with no luck. The reason? I'm convinced that one of the top places will be won by a man whose name hasn't been mentioned at all in the predictions: Jim Murphy.
Leave aside that he is one of the most popular MPs on the Labour benches. Leave aside his abilities. As Scottish Secretary, he had one job: to save as many Scottish Labour MPs' skins as possible. And he was remarkably successful in that task.
As a consequence, he has the gratitude of almost every Scottish Labour MP. And in these elections, as I know from my days working in the Commons during the last period of Labour in opposition, the main driving force behind voting is loyalty and favours owed.
So look out for Jim Murphy when the votes are announced.

October 07, 2010 10:59

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