Dr Ashok Kumar

Labour Party | Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland

ASHOK KUMAR ‘DISAPPOINTED THAT NO CLEAR ROAD MAP FOR NEW LABOUR LEADER IS IN PLACE’

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour M.P, Ashok Kumar, today (1st September) said that he was disappointed that no clear road map had been put in place so that there would be a orderly timetable for the election of a new Labour Party Leader. He was speaking in the wake of Tony Blair’s interview in today’s Times in which he said he would not be making any announcement at the forthcoming party conference in Manchester.

Ashok said “In March, I said on the record in one of my local newspapers – and which became a national story - that I wanted to see ‘a smooth and rapid’ transition in the party leadership. This is not out of any opposition to the policies of my government – a government to which I have been 100% loyal since being elected in 1997 – but because I believe that continued uncertainty will not help constructive policy making and development”

“This government has achieved much. It has made huge strides in making Britain a fairer and better society from that which we inherited under the Tories. But there is still much to do and new challenges to face, both at home and abroad. What, I believe, is vital, is a set time table for a smooth succession. There is no reason why the government’s programme cannot run in parallel with an orderly leadership election. This will then give ample time for continued policy development both within the party and parliament under that new leadership well in advance of the next general election.”

“This would deliver a message to Britain that Labour is a listening party and one that is working in the best interests of all the people of this country. I, too, have been door knocking in my constituency over the summer months and I can say firmly that people are raising these questions, and asking when the Prime Minister will be stepping down. I was disappointed that the Prime Minister has apparently said that he does not wish to make any announcement at the coming Party Conference, and I would urge him to reconsider that decision.”