Comments
Fire is always best turned on the Tories
2010-01-07 15:41:19
When the Tories were slowly imploding in the run up to our first landslide victory in 1997, former minister Alan Clark called me to bemoan his party's fate.
As my diaries show, this fellow diarist phoned me rather a lot, more than his party whips and apparatchiks appreciated. He loved 'the game,' as he called it. He loved gossip. And he loved telling me how bad things were and how well we - his enemy - were doing.
On this particular occasion, he said that the problem was that the Tories now hated each other more than they hated Labour. It was an interesting insight, and one which helped us then pile on the agony for the Tories as their divisions, particularly over Europe, deepened.
Last night I was reminded of this by someone who put a message on my Facebook page that Labour was now in the same state, that we hated each other more than we hated the Tories. But whereas Alan Clark was right, my Facebook friend is wrong.
There are always disagreements and personality clashes within any major organisation. Why should a political party be different to a bank, an office, a newsroom, a football team, a charity?
But hatred is a strong word. I think Alan's definition of the strength of feeling back then did indeed define many of the relationships at all levels of the Tory Party. It defined what mainstream members of the Labour Party felt about the hard left in the days of Militant, and what Militant felt about us in spades. But it does not actually define Labour today.
Now hatred is not a terribly good or edifying thing anyway, but in so far as the vast bulk of Labour activists have it within them, I have no doubt much more of it is felt for the Tories than for anyone in their own ranks. And that feeling was growing, and turning itself into greater support and activism, as the prospect of a Tory government neared, both in terms of polls and, now in the fifth year of the Parliament, in terms of timing.
I don't hate David Cameron. I just don't think he would be a very good Prime Minister. I don't think his party has changed fundamentally from the one rejected by the public. I don't think he has the strength in depth required for a government. I don't think he has done the policy and strategic work needed. I think he thinks the Tories are born to rule, it is their turn, his time, and that's that. And I think his policy agenda, in so far as he has one, is one aimed at helping those at the top, those from his own kind of background and despite all the tieless photocalls and the 'fings just ain't right' elf'n'safety, get down with the peoplespeak, he is a pretty traditional Tory toff.
That sense was gaining wider traction, and was one of the reasons he was not pulling away in the polls, despite all the obvious economic and political advantages the Tories have, and despite all the money being thrown from Belize to help them. It was one of the reasons morale among Labour supporters was beginning to rise, and why there seems to be so much anger, whatever people feel about Gordon Brown, about the move against him yesterday. The timing was spectacularly bad.
No leader ever commands total support. True. Gordon is not the most popular or charismatic leader in the world. True. There are differences of opinion over the PBR, and the strategy Labour should adopt for the election. Clearly. And those who say that Gordon knows all about gunning for the leader, and making life more difficult than it might otherwise have been for those working for the leader, might also have a point.
But none of it should get in the way of united and determined efforts in answering the basic question - would you rather have Brown or Cameron as PM?
If Cabinet ministers want him to go, they should tell him. If he doesn't think he should, they should then decide whether they want to continue, and he should decide whether he wants to keep them. If an MP thinks he is such a liability they cannot serve under him, they should think about giving up their seat. But above all, if people have nothing useful to say, best to say nothing.
It is a dictum by which, I am glad to say, Alan Clark never lived. He and many other Tories at the time. It is one of the reasons he never quite made it as high as he thought his talents should have taken him. And why the Tories have been out of power for so long.
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Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
AC
2010-01-09 00:13:21Mary - go into archive, see blog November 7. Enjoy
mary
2010-01-08 20:10:03Alastair,
The newspapers continually refer to Sir Ian Kennedy as your friend. Could you please let us know first whether it is true that you are his friend, and second, whether you agree that he should be reviewing the MP's expenses review that had already been agreed by Party leaders?
Thanks in advance
Nick
2010-01-08 16:32:35As ever with A.Campbell, rampant tribalism gets the better of objective analysis. Brown leading Labour into an election campaign, and the 24/7 media scrutiny that goes with it, is like watching a lorry head over a cliff in v-e-r-y s-l-o-w m-o-t-i-o-n.
And one other thought. After the 4th attempted coup against his leadership in barely 2 years, can't Brown be given a better soundbite in response than "I am just getting on with the job" ?
Especially when it is a job that the electorate never asked him to do in the first place.
Paul
2010-01-08 15:22:51Alastair - why do you keep on recyclying tribal insults about Cameron when it is obvious to everyone that he is a bit more than that? I am sure like all politicians he is primarily interested in power but it's also pretty clear he wants to do some good as well. You might not agree with his agenda but it just makes you look silly and tribal to keep on the "Eton Toff" abuse when a more perceptive fisking would resonate much more readily with the majority of us.
Billy Blofeld
2010-01-08 12:06:53"Gordon is not the most popular or charismatic leader in the world."
Fabulous bit of understatement. Might I also suggest:
- King Kong is not the lightest on his feet.
- There was a bit of a glitch on the Titanic's maiden voyage.
- Fred and Rose West had some anti-social habits.
s chapman
2010-01-08 09:32:02GB performance on the Solent phone-in said it all for me...he's so useless as a communicator...even small talk about the weather was so painful...Hoon and Hewitt right idea wrong execution.
Poll ratings already moving wider(YouGov 2%) and Alastair as for saying the Tories just want to rule for the elite is almost childlike commentary...grow up your lot are like the last days of the Roman empire so in denial
Ray Merrall
2010-01-07 21:15:24In Scotland, whenever someone has the temerity to slightly criticise the Exalted Eck, they are immediately attacked by SNP (minister Mike Russell's (Ooops! sorry, but he is totally innocent of any such allegation)) CyberNats.
Funny, but I see the same tactics applied to this blog and that of other Labour blogs.
Who could be behind such dastardly tactics? Could the Tories be so insecure that they have to rely on such attack numpties?
Never, and the News of the World never, ever would bug peoples mobiles to try and score a cheap story.
Bar Bar of Oz
2010-01-07 20:45:25Gordon Brown himself should be making the decision. Phillip Gould's focus group research would have have told you guys by now if GB's leadership gives Labour a chance or whether it all but guarantees a wipe out of New Labour?
If the latter, Gordon should go graciously.
CB
2010-01-07 19:14:14Hoon and Hewitt were either a) too stupid to know what they were doing, b) politically naive in thinking that this would all be hunky dory and not descend into farce or c) deliberately malevolent and destructive and acting in bad faith with a hidden agenda, contrary to what they have been saying on the news outlets.
I find a) and b) unthinkable for such experienced politicians but equally c) is not the tone of the original message nor how they came across on TV.
I found media coverage hilarious. According to The Times Peter Mandelson would seriously consider bringing down Gordon Brown because he lost out on the High Representative job at the EU.
Patrick James
2010-01-07 19:08:55I think that the coup would have been legitimate if it had been very quick and successful. Then there would have been a new leader very fast.
The failed mini-coup was ridiculous. It didn't achieve any objective and only did damage.
If, as some say, there are many in the Labour Party that do not want Brown as leader, then why does the coup fail so completely?
olli issakainen
2010-01-07 18:53:55Dave´s Nose. George´s Eyes. Margaret´s Policies.
Richard
2010-01-07 18:45:10True but the painful fact is that Brown is so far out of his depth in this role that it is a total embarassment every time he is interviewed or appears on TV. How on earth did Labour get itself into this situation where there are no good options left?
Jonathan
2010-01-07 18:39:30I keep on hearing this dog whistling about whether David Cameron would govern for all of Britain, or just for a narrow interest group.
Gordon Brown has governed for all of Britain in the sense that we are all paying for his economic incompetence. We have all felt the effect of his slipperiness on tax matters and his preference for taxing by stealth. We have all seen the effect of his actions on our pension funds. True to his Labour roots, he paid particular attention to low earners when he abolished the 10p tax band.
Gordon Brown - incompetence for the many, not the few.
Give me an airbrushed Cameron any day.
Olivia
2010-01-07 17:45:59Brilliantly articulated as usual and absolutely spot on. Your analysis - especially of David Cameron and what a Conservative government would mean in reality - should form the messages that Labour is pushing out as often as possible. And you're right about the feeling that the Tories weren't having it all their own way. Fingers crossed that Labour are seeking your advice because crystallising the debate into these terms is what is so badly needed.
Chris Bartter
2010-01-07 17:15:23Three points - one is despite the vacuousness of Cameron, it is still true that oppositions don't win elections, governments lose them! The second is that a party that doesn't get its core vote out will lose. The third is the public does not like a divided party at election times.
That is why Hoon and Hewitt (as well as the increasingly desperate Charles Clarke) should be dealt with swiftly and decisively. Hingin's too good for them - it's a good kick up the erse they need!
peter robertson
2010-01-07 17:13:20What a waste of time all that was yesterday, don't think it'll do GB any long term damage. Thought he had a good PMQ again yesterday. Can't understand what Hoon and Hewitt were up to or what they hoped to achieve.I agree with, you when it comes down to it there isn't a Labour supporter in the coutry who would want that Cameron to be running the country rather than GB.
Labour has a good record in government under TB and GB, hopefully now this rubbish is out of the way we can get on with the job of highlighting that fact.
Charlie Reynolds
2010-01-07 16:55:34Are you kidding? The Brown and Blair camps don't hate each other? Try to be a little more honest guv. The reality is that the clunking fist bully knows how to...em..bully. He will be telling his colleagues - try taking me down and I will destroy you.
Anyone but Brown for me and everyone I speak to. I have not met anyone who wants him to stay.
Do you think there are no Alan Clark's in Labour at the moment - you're not that stupid.
Do you really think Cameron thinks he is born to rule? Sounds more like a nasty caricature you are trying to create. I suspect it's gonna backfire on you. I don't think you've got him right - just like the Tories never nailed Blair right either.
dc
2010-01-07 16:49:14Great article! labour do really need to unite againstthe tories now more so than ever since they do pose a greater threat in the election when compared with previous ones...but cameron has no firm basis and any slight investigation into policy highlights this!
you need to have more that just 'its time for a change'. Edward Heath spoke of 'tomorrow being better than today'...but with all the power shortages under that tory premiership he couldn't even keep the lights on! they dont change their slogans and they dont change their main principles!
Lewis Sidnick
2010-01-07 16:37:22"I don't think he has the strength in depth required for a government. I don't think he has done the policy and strategic work needed.....And I think his policy agenda, in so far as he has one....."
I dont understand why it is not obvious to Labour supporters how these comments above could be applied with credibility to Blair in 1996. Blair has even commented himself about his regrets on policy detail/policy strategy at the start of his premiership.
Charlesm186
2010-01-07 16:25:56The difference between the Tories and Labour which you did not mention is that if a Tory leader was this bad he would have been removed.
There are obviously significant elements within the Labour MP's who do not think Gordon is the best leader. This has caused three attempts to unseat him in two years. Yet when it comes to stick your head above the parapet they all disapear into the undergrowth - it is pathetic and the country deserves better. I agree with your sentiment that the dissenters should be honest ( like James Purnell ) and either put up or shut up.
Cabinet meetings should be very frosty at the moment ( and I do not mean the temperature outside ! )
PS - David Miliband will be the Michael Portillo of the labour party - the one who wanted the crown so badly but never stepped forward to take it
Nick
2010-01-07 15:58:54AC
I heard Geoff Hoon's constituency chairman on Radio 4 at lunch time. He was not happy with his local MP. He was asked about Gordon Brown's unpopularity with voters, and his reply really was a stunning example of the type of inward looking 'Bennery' that Labour resorted to in the 80s.
"Yes", he replied "But Gordon is very popular with party activists".
I can only repeat, and one senses it increasingly with Labour members as they return from their constituences after each weekend, that the English people en masse, fairly or unfairly, have decided that they won't have Brown at any price, and will punish Labour accordingly.
Don't say you were not warned !
Boudicca
2010-01-07 15:55:59No leader ever commands total support! He's been PM for just over 2 years and there have been 3 attempts to get rid of him. He only survived last June because Mandelson was tasked with keeping him in place until the Lisbon Treaty was ratified.
Oh, and you're right, hatred is a strong word. I hate Gordon Brown. And I despise Labour for letting him stay in No.10 dragging this country deeper and deeper into debt.
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