All change please So the Labour Party has a new Leader and deputy.

I have to admit that I had my doubts about a coronation with no election amongst party members but in the words of George Formby "it's turned out nice again". The smooth transition has put us ahead in the polls for the first time in a quite a while. Not that there was ever any danger of John McDonnell actually winning but as least we avoided the Tory trap of the membership voting in a leader like Iain Duncan Smith which the parliamentary party think is a total loser.

The next few months are going to be exciting times in British politics. Brown is a very considerable politician unlike Eton Dave the flaky fake PR man. In the first series of the West Wing the political consultant Mandy (no not peter) has a brilliant line "I'm gonna bitchslap 'em around the beltway" I think Eton Dave the flaky fake PR man is going to feel a bit battered in the near future as Gordon gets into prime ministerial gear.

• Relentless focus on the NHS

• Cabinet Minister for Housing

• Four Labour party Vice Chairs to build the organisation

• Ban of protest outside parliament lifted

These all look like good moves for a government that is serious about winning the next election and Gordon hasn't even kissed hands with the Queen yet. I wouldn't want to be a tory in the next few months or come to that the next election or indeed ever.

And now for the deputy. Well that was a bit of a surprise. My congratulations go to Harriet "comeback kid" Harman. I'm sure that she will work very well with Gordon and i'm looking forward to the considerable contribution that she will make to a fourth! election victory as party chair.

As will have been apparent from the Cruddas badge on the site it was clear where my first preference went. Cruddas may not have won the vote but he won the battle of ideas. He is a politician of rare political courage and intellectual insight. The deputy leadership contest may have been the first time that most people had heard of him, it will not be the last. Well done Jon.  ¶ 11:41 am