Right up to Saturday night I was finding excuses for skipping Sunday's women's event - missing the daughter, getting there, lack of time. All perfectly valid reasons but I couldn't fool myself, I was scared stiff of going alone. Still there was a certain inevitability when I set the alarm on Sat night, printed out the directions "just in case" and fell asleep thinking outfits. Not a suit, not too frivolous, not too warm (it is summer) but not too much flesh either. So Sunday morning clad in a brightish dress with a demure cardigan and wedge sandals I climbed into the car, feeling a little interviewish, muttering to myself the whole way that I was an idiot and why wasn't I staying home (except when I passed the Dog's Trust when all I could whimper was "puppies").
My original plan was to hide behind a potted plant with a glass of wine but a. it was 10am, b. I was driving and c. there was a distinct lack of potted plants. I got a coffee and stood nonchalantly to the side "Yes, look at you all laughing and chattering and at home but I choose to stand alone" when hurrah, another lone soul with whom I could make polite conversation and very nice she was too and we were in the same group. Problem solved. And it was a great day thank you so much Labour WOmen! A brilliant talk and q&a from Yvette Cooper (why aren't you standing Yvette?) and new MP Rachel Reeves who were both funny and inspiring; an opportunity to get to know other attendees who were all friendly, interestIng and so diverse - long standing members, brand new like me, all ages and backgrounds and all ready to do whatever they need to to make a difference; lunch (teetotal natch but still very nice) and then the q&a with the leaders. And? Oh God I don't know, how do I choose?
First off Andy Burnham (or as D texted the one you won't recognise). Except I did recognise him. Vaguely. I liked him! We'll take intelligent, articulate and committed as a given as they all were and I can't keep repeating it, but he was warm too, had really long eyelashes (not a prerequisite but nice to see) and answered the questions really well. He said I asked a good question and I felt all glowey (it was of course about Free Schools). Is he a leader? Seriously, I don't know. I would vote for him to be an MP no doubt but a leader? I was undecided when Next!
Diane. Oh Diane I wanted to like you. And I didn't dislike you but you left me cold and I am not sure why. I didn't get the impression you wanted to be there although you were polite and gave some good answers but a definite no. Next!
Ed B. I liked him! Funny but not too much so, showed signs of wanting to sit down and have really long free school chat when he was ushered away. I liked him! He could be a good leader for sure BUT there is the tarnish. I hate that it is there but it is. he is so closely linked to Brown and is trying to deny it so I feel a little the cock crowed three times about him. Yet... Next!
David, see previous post, nothing has changed, still like him, still not quite sure. Next!
Ed M. There is a cult growing about Ed M. Did I join? No, not yet. Will I? I DON'T KNOW! We are so lucky to have four (yep, Andy I am including you) four such brilliant candidates I dn't know where or how to vote. For whoever will win a General Election but who?
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