What are Labour Leadership candidates talking about?

Over the past few days we’ve had a number of the leaders of the Labour Party – including some prospective candidates for the Leadership write in national newspapers setting out their views for how the party should change.

Using Wordle, I’ve analysed what each are saying:

James Purnell in The Times
Wordle: James Purnell in the Times

Ed Balls in the Independent (discloure: Not drawn to him)

Wordle: Ed Balls Independent

John Denham in the Guardian (my old b0ss)
Wordle: John Denham CiF

David Miliband in the Daily Mirror (my favoured candidate)
Wordle: Miliband Mirror

For me, what stands out from this is:

  1. The similarity of language. It’s very political. Ok, they are writing for a political party member but all are talking about re-connecting with the public. Few (apart from John Denham) repeatedly mention words they’d use (public services, jobs)
  2. Prescriptive. Whilst all talk about listening and learning, “must” appears a lot.
  3. Where’s change?

Related posts:

  1. Labour is also Ann Black
  2. Labour Party reform isn’t about GCs
  3. A primary vote for Labour Party leader?
  4. Labour mustn’t falter on party funding
  5. Voting Labour with a heavy heart

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