Gordon Loses A Fan
Gordon Brown's Mansion House speech last night may have been designed to impress America and reassure the Tory press that he's not going to be the Leftie prime minister some on the Left are hoping for (though God knows why they are: the differences are almost undetectable). Maybe it's worked for him. But the many layers of spin the speech has been wrapped in don't seem to have impressed Nick Robinson. And for veteran Labour man, Brown biographer and former fan Paul Routledge at the Mirror it was the last straw. I sympathise with both commentators. And as a would-be Labour voter the more I see of Brown preparing the ground to inherit the premiership, the more I want a proper leadership contest.
This is yet another problem for Labour created by Blair.
A leadership contest would be the most democratic way to go about things - but it would definitely expose the cracks in the party, which, close to a general election, could be disastrous.
The longer Blair takes to stand down, the more damage a contest could do. You have to wonder whether that's what he's hoping for...
Posted by: Matt M | June 23, 2006 at 05:10 PM
Yes, I wonder that too. Although, there are conspiracy theories that he's hanging on and on to make sure Gordon inherits the biggest possible mess! I'm for a proper contest and debate as soon as possible (though not before we've got a slightly clearer picture of what Cameron is going to offer).
Posted by: Dave Hill | June 23, 2006 at 06:23 PM