How Labour Can Win The Next General Election

Basically, if the Labour party want to win the next election, they should get down on their knees and pray to a God that doesn't exist for a miracle that isn't going to happen. That's their best, and most realistic, bet. 

However, if they want to limit the coming electoral carnage and try to prevent a total wipeout at the polls next year, then there is one thing they could do. Replace Gordon Brown with Alan Johnson. ASAP.

Here's the scenario that might allow Labour to stop the coming Conservative landslide. Brown is booted out of office. Now. Whoever has influence, who ever can get the result they so badly needs for the party, acts now. Brown goes quietly; a broken man, scuttling away into retirement. And then the party unites around Johnson. Like the Tories did around Howard after then found out IDS was pretty much useless. Then Johnson says he won't announce anything about the next Election until Parliament reconvenes in the autumn. In the meantime he tours the country being a Prime Minister, being a man of the people, and not being Gordon Brown. 

Come the return of Parliament, Johnson announces a General Election date - sometime in March, 2010. He explains that he is giving the date so far in advance of the election so everyone has an effective chance to get ready for it - parties, voters and the media. Then he creates a Cabinet bringing big names from both the Blair and Brown years together, and makes his party looks united. He works hard creating a positive profile for himself, pointing out that, like Cameron, he is a nice guy. Except, unlike Cameron, Johnson actually has experience of government. He passes uncontroversial legislation, and communicates far better than his predecessor as Prime Minister. And he removes Cameron's main selling point since he, like Cameron, is also not Gordon Brown. 

And he goes to the country on the day he promises. Labour lose, but they don't lose badly. Cameron has a small majority, and the Labour party have everything to play for in the new Parliament. Johnson would still be party leader for as long as he wanted to be, and would have the opportunity to stop the bitter infighting that will consume the Labour Party if they lose by a landslide. So there we have it. Their best bet; ditch Brown, crown Johnson. 

But it won't happen. I think Brown could be forced from power, but there is no way that there could be a coronation of Johnson. Because as soon as Brown goes, Ed Balls will start fighting for the leadership. And as soon as it ceases to be a coronation, it becomes the self-destructive bitch-fight will devastate the party just before a General Election. The Labour Party isn't capable of a coronation at this point, even if it is the only thing that can save them. As a result they will continue with Brown, like a tug boat heading into a tidal wave.