Richard Baum

I’m still in a state of shock about the Ming thing. And the more I think about it, the sadder I get. Ming’s own absence from the steps of Cowley Street when the statement was read out on his behalf only adds to the image in my head of a dejected old man wandering lonely back home having been told he’s too old for the pub dominoes team.

Everyone seems to be of one mind that the decision was right, even if the chatter leading up to it was entirely wrong. I suppose we all looked at the depressing polls, came to the conclusion that they never lie even if we wish that they did, and hoped that he’d do the best thing for the party. And, as always, he did. Despite the fact that when it comes to the crunch the polls often do lie, and we do better in elections than predicted.

Thirty six people have asked me today whether I am going to run for the leadership. I assume they were all joking. They certainly did.  Although given that I only need seven MPs to back me to run, this means that I am ONLY 7 MPs SHORT OF HAVING ENOUGH SUPPORT TO RUN!!

But let me categorically rule it out now. The rumours have to stop.

Leadership elections make parties look silly, in my view. Splitting off into camps, exposing ourselves to scandal. A second one in 18 months makes us look doubly silly. I hope it’s over quickly, and that media savaging is merciful, if present at all.

Rick