Labour : Rochdale Selection

The Asian News captioned the above picture "Afzal Khan - Winner" which is how it ought to be in Rochdale in both selection and election

Readers may remember earlier posts about Rochdale's selection. Particularly following Kevin Maguire's excellent coverage in his Daily Mirror blog here. Worth another visit as a third comment has been added to those from Parbury and myself.

I've also cued up a new one like so:

"This contest seems to be continuing under different rules! I agree with Amina on two things (a) innocent until proven guilty and (b) don't embarrass Labour. If the candidate can't make the decision then the members ought to do it for him.

It struck me as odd how long this matter took to get aired and the specific timing of that just ahead of the second attempt at a final selections hustings. Perhaps it was totally by chance but the timing of that fandango may have a slight pong.

Clearly voting following face to face hustings with fiery speeches from some and damp squibs from others would suit the more outgoing candidates. Afzal Khan is certainly very impressive and a passionate communicator. And his anti war credentials and broad appeal are more certain that Mr Danczuk's who also cannot compete with Afzal's matinee idol charm.

But then again organising a campaign over a couple of weeks to maximise a postal vote from a larger electorate demands different skills.

Mr Danczuk's consultancy business - set up with Ruth Turner I believe - carries out research and also delivers 'phone and postal campaigns for politicians. So the postponement and the new rules of the game could have rather fallen into his lap. Unless that is the allegations against him at work win the day.

Afzal is himself an admirable and very skilled organiser and campaigner.

The final endorsement for Afzal Khan that I've heard was posted on my own blog by Paul Rowen's PR Guru Dave Hennigan. He used to be a councillor in Manchester and we know each other through his large and my minor involvement in the Irish Festival.

Anyway Mr Hennigan is endorsing and claiming a definite victory for Mr Danczuk in the comments here.

And that obviously means that Mr Hennigan and Mr Rowen clearly fear Manchester's former Lord Mayor more than the local polling wizard. Mr Hennigan also had a belly laugh over a drink or two with me here".

UPDATE: There are still comments appearing on the earlier item HERE.