Gordon Brown to be named Labour leader, deputy leader votes being counted
Gordon Brown is to be named leader of the Labour party today. He faced no challengers so won the election by default.
The result of the deputy leadership contest will also be announced today. But a poll by PinkNews.co.uk readers has revealed which candidates LGBT Labour party members voted for in the election of a Deputy Leader of the Labour party.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain was the first choice of 25% of gay party members. Party chair Hazel Blears took 19% of first preferences, followed by 16% for backbench candidate Jon Cruddas.
Harriet Harman polled 15%, Alan Johnson 14% and Hilary Benn 11%.
The Independent on Sunday today published extracts of leaked government documents, which appeared to outline proposals to appoint a new Chanellor following the 2005 general election.
Mr Brown was to be demoted under the plans, which were scrapped after he played a key role in the 2005 election campaign, the newspaper said.
Research by PinkNews.co.uk has shown that until the passing of the Sexual Orientation Regulations, Mr Brown has never attended Parliament when gay rights have been voted on whilst Labour has been in power.
Mr Brown on 14 separate occasions failed to attend the House of Commons when issues relating to gay equality were voted on. He failed to support the government’s equalisation of the age of consent, the abolition of Section 28, gay couples being able to jointly adopt, civil partnerships and the Equality Act.
The registration of civil partnerships are the responsibility of the Treasury, the department that Mr Brown still heads.
Chris Byant, a gay Labour MP, and a likely junior Ministerial appointment, last month defended Mr Brown’s record Mr Bryant, the MP for Rhonnda, defended the Chancellor’s voting record.
“Gordon has not voted on much but his record is still better that David Cameron who voted against gay adoption.
“I spoke to Gordon when we were in the lobby voting for the Sexual Orientation Regulations and he said “It is good to do something you believe in.”
“I know that Gordon believes in what the Labour government has done and is wholly committed to equality.”
