So, AJ does want the job

In a further sign that Alan Johnson does want to lead Labour at the next election, he has given an interview to the Indy where we calls for a “real debate” on immigration:

People think we have shied away from a debate on it. They may well be right.  My post bag is bigger on immigration than any other issue. It is a major public concern. The public deserves a rational debate on this, rather than what they sometimes get, which is at the extreme end of the scale.

He admits that the lack of a proper debate has played into the BNP’s hands:

Part of its attraction is that it is raising things that other political parties don't raise.  It would take the absence of a national debate as the green light to distort the debate. It has absolutely no inhibition about lying about these issues.

On drugs and immigration Johnson is showing leadership and saying what the country want to hear.  If the BNP do hold their deposit in the forthcoming Glasgow North-East by-election, it will further underpin his views on the need for a debate.

Not only that, but it will strengthen the argument that he is the best alternative leader to take the fight to the Tories during the run up to the election.