Is Balls now the de facto deputy leader?

[Jeneral2885]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/feb/16/labour-frontbenchers-told-to-clear-policy-statements

[T_i_B]

1. You could just as easily say that about the government and George Osbourne

It's interesting to note that Labour control freakery is still alive and well though.

[non sociopath skin]

2. Sounds like common sense to me, to be honest.

Shadow Chancellor - like Chancellor - is the second most important political post, yes?

I'd certainly prefer a clear message to the amateurish wishy-washying and flip-flopping around of the present lot.

The Skin

[Jeneral2885]

3. So where does Harman stand?

maybe she's given far too many roles--she's Deputy Leader, Shadow Deputy PM and Shadow ID SoS. Perhaps the first role is no longer hers?

[T_i_B]

4. Even though deputy leader is elected by the party itself.....

...rather then appointed by the Labour leader, the post hardly ever has the same impact on policy as the Chancellor / shadow chancellor does.

And besides, didn't John Prescott have more roles then Harman when he was Blair's number 2?

[Jeneral2885]

5. did Prescott have 3 roles to fill at once?

did Prescott have 3 roles to fill at once? Harman has to deputise Miliband, Shadow Clegg and Shadow ID. Personally, she's doing an average job at the last one, much better at the second but absent in the first role.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Yes, arguably 4, between 1997 and 2001:

Deputy PM
Deputy Leader of the Labour party
Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (which was 2 jobs both before him, and after 2001).

Many said Brown was effectively the deputy PM, being more powerful as Chancellor; but the biographies all seem to say that Prescott had to spend some time getting Blair and Brown to work together properly.

[Jeneral2885]

7. but not immediately

but not immediately right?. Harman is given three roles to fill immediately. And in the Shadow ID team, Rushanara Ali isnt active enough.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Yes, all at the same time, between 1997 and 2001

After 2001, he gave up the environment and transport portfolios, and was deputy party leader, and deputy PM, and ended up with the local government portfolio too.