Left titling at Tony’s crown

A left-wing British Labour MP has announced that he will challenge Gordon Brown for the leadership of the Labour Party when Tony Blair quits.

This follows on from yesterdays thoughts on political succession: Democracy and Succession

John McDonnell is chairman of the Socialist Campaign Group and says he wanted to make it clear he was not standing as a "stalking horse", but wanted to mount a serious challenge for the party leadership.

"Some have argued that instead of an open democratic election for the leader of the party, there should be a smooth transition or virtual coronation of his successor.

"This would deny party members the opportunity of openly debating the issues facing our party and the future direction of the country.

"An election for the leader of the party will allow for a democratic debate on the future of Labour."

Who knows, democracy might still have a life out there somewhere.