Most people I know are voting for Tom Watson. I always thought I liked Tom, but at arms length. He was a bit too much of an over-bearing bloke for me, albeit one who has done some brilliant campaign work. He always makes me think of Kevin Spacey in House of Cards, not in terms of being a baddie, but more in terms of what I think he is capable of achieving. Its a very weird back-handed compliment!
From fairly early on I have been very interested in Stella Creasy's campaign and erred on the side of supporting her. I think her really hands on practical approach to campaigning is brilliant. I think Creasy is attractive to younger voters and gets the importance of technology. I like her ferocious uncompromising feminist stance and if i'm honest, I do like the fact that she really does seem like an outsider. At my CLP the chair tried to disparage her saying she's a lone operator and unpopular in her own constituency. I think she is super smart and most importantly effective and argued hard to successfully win her our CLPs nomination for Deputy. I have spent a few weeks with her in prime position, i've enjoyed watching her storm the country with bootcamps and soar up in people's estimations but then a couple of things happened.
Ken Livingstone sent me a long email about Angela Eagle and Tom Watson sent me a quite brilliant piece of Direct Mail. Both have made me re-think my voting intention. Firstly they made me realise that I don't actually understand what Stella stands for. I *think* I understand what she would do and I am sure that it would be brilliant for the Labour Party and yes I do want to see a talented woman in a top job, but not one I'm voting for because she is a woman, but because she is brilliant. However I don't feel like I know where Stella's heart lies.
I am very clear on where Angela Eagle's heart lies and it is closest to my own, I think she's a brilliant wonderful Labour Politician who has done some great things in her long Labour career. But Angela's campaign hasn't convinced me of the how, it feels like platitudes over practicality whilst I can see the very real practical plan Stella Creasy appears to be getting on with igniting interest across the country.
So this brings me back to Tom Watson. He has convinced me where his heart lies and how he'd do the job. 100% behind a Chief Digital Officer that has the budget to be effective and rely less on endless shouty emails. BUT, I am voting for male candidates for Leader and Mayor with no second preferences and it is very hard to cast my votes for an all male team.
Just a quick word on the other candidates. I think Caroline Flint is a wonderful, warm, inclusive and very lovely person, a skilled media performer and has an amazing life story, but we are from the opposite ends of the party politically so I won't be voting for her. I completely understand why so many are and I think she has been particularly skilful with her email comms to members, more so than any other candidate. Ben Bradshaw leaves me cold and has made no impact other than possibly giving me the biggest laugh of the campaign when I got an email from Nancy Dell Olio with a flamenco emoji in the subject line asking me to come and hang out with Ben?!
As much as i'm struggling to order these three great candidates into my first, second and third preference, i'm really enjoying feeling like there are a number of great candidates with so much to offer that I am choosing between. I also like the fact that i'll be happy whoever wins this part of the race.
Anyone else having the same dilemma? I'd welcome anyone else's thoughts.
