Ha, Ha Harmen surprise!

Harriet Harman has been named the next deputy leader of the Labour Party!

Surprise winner from the six candidates competing for the position of Gordon Brown's deputy. 50.43% of the votes in the 5th round against Alan Johnsons 49.56%!

Looking at the pictures in todays papers it could be Blair and Cherie - now morphed into Gordon and Harriet - BC to GH? While she is less hectoring than asbo Hazel she does go on.

But the turnout was low.

Epolitx report Party chairman Hazel Blears was eliminated in the first round of voting, with second preferences then distributed to the other candidates.
Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain was last in the second round of voting, while international development secretary Hilary Benn - judged to be second favourite ahead of the contest - was eliminated in the third round.
With no candidate having a majority by the fourth round, Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas was eliminated. In the fifth round of voting against Harman polled 50.43 per cent, against 49.56 per cent for Alan Johnson.
Johnson - the favourite going into the contest - had been three points ahead in the fourth round, but when Cruddas dropped out there was a swing to Harman, especially among party members.
She told the Labour special conference it was an "honour and a privilege" to be chosen for the job, and said she and the party were confident about the future.

Labour party invites members to nominate for leader and deputy leader ..???

Rob Newman Secretary of Cardiff North New Labour Party
writes to members on 22 May ..(perhaps he didn't notice that nominations closed for the leadership and deputy leadership of the labour party on the 17 May!)

"As you will have heard the prime minister and leader of the labour party , Tony Blair ...have announced they will step down..The first time in its history that the labour party is choosing not only a new leadership team but also a new prime minister....We want as many people as possible to take part in these elections .....opportunity to make a nomination for who we want to be leader and deputy leader...all party members invited on 31 May to come and debate the way forward ......and WHO WE WANT TO LEAD IT INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION ......and finishes....I look forward to seeing you on the 30 May???"

Labour Party members are badly informed! Perhaps the secretary Mr Newman didn't remember that Julie Morgan announced she was......emmmm...supporting Brown and Harmen "I'm supporting Gordon for leader and Harriet for deputy leader as I think they would work together very well — I'm excited about the new era" gushes Julie Morgan on her website. So whats to discuss then....democracy maybe?

Or you could go to a labour party hustings if you are a member on 9th June at a secret location but it will cost you a £10.... no concessions!

Meanwhile our Julie Morgan MP tells the HOC : 'I have reservations about nuclear power.' Time to make your mind up. If you could be as decisive about supporting Brown it must be possible to decide to oppose nuclear power. See new video