Labour's imminent bloodbath
David Blackburn 8:58am
The latest instalment of the Labour leadership saga is available at a newsagent near you. Writing in the Independent, John Rentoul argues that Labour must avoid the ‘Oyster Card Error’. That is, ‘the gate beeps and the sign says, “Seek Assistance”. But do they? No, they try again.’ Loyal as ever, Rentoul believes that the party can only be renewed by the heir to Blair, David Miliband; Gordon Brown’s politics must be consigned to the footnotes of history, and Amen to that.
However, whilst defeat at the polls will remove Brown it may not break his dedicated parliamentary support. The plans, plots, schemes and ploys against the PM have been so numerous that his survival cannot be solely ascribed to the would-be regicides’ cowardice; incredibly, the parliamentary party must believe that Brown is the man for the job. Brown’s political genius is internal intrigue. Over 20 years he has amassed a cabal, which, when Chancellor, he used in vainglorious shows of strength, such as the Tuition fees division. Recently, he has used it to clobber nascent plots. One plotter tells Jonathan Freedland that 'Team Brown would crush any plot' at the moment of its conception. Brown’s bodyguard will be perpetuated by his heir, Ed Balls – and the sins of the father have most certainly been inherited by the son.
If Balls holds his seat, Labour will descend into civil war. A struggle that should have been decided in a ballot, rather than over a few grappas at Granita, will be resolved in opposition by the next generation. It will be bitter and bloody, and Labour will be unelectable.
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Grumpy Optimist
January 6th, 2010 9:29am Report this commentWell that would certainly cheer us all up.
RMH
January 6th, 2010 9:45am Report this commentSo people are actually scared of Ed Balls in the Labour party. Wow.
AndyinBrum
January 6th, 2010 9:51am Report this commentWhat Grumpy said with a ROTFLPMSL to keep in with the youngsters ;)
oldtimer
January 6th, 2010 9:52am Report this commentI have posted before my opinion that Brown will stick around and not relinquish the leadership of his party. The idea that he will be defenestrated by his party is unlikely, given his survival record and the strength of his praetorian guard. Nor do I think he will slink off to become a high paid, tax exempt international apparatchik, that is not in his nature. He will want to stay as leader of the Labour party so he can torment the toffs as they attempt to repair the damage that he, Brown, has caused over the past 12 years. Apart from considering himself a legend in his own lifetime, he probably has a low opinion of his putative successors - a view supported by the merest glance at the photograph that heads your post.
Andy Leeds
January 6th, 2010 10:22am Report this commentAs Grumpy says that cheers us all up. As long as they are out of power for a generation - and personally I would prefer the utter destruction of the Labour Party - I don't give a s***. Bring it on I say.
Naomi Muse
January 6th, 2010 10:24am Report this commentSounds good. Isn't it awful that a government can run on power created by internal intrigue and its attendant fear?
btw, I understand that Ed Balls brother is in charge of the company selling UK debt (ie quantitative easing) Isn't that a bit like the kamikazi pilot crashing his plane on his brother's scrap yard?
With all this snow, a few amuse bouche would not go amiss, methinks.
Vulture
January 6th, 2010 11:07am Report this commentThe grinning chimp on the right and the porky slob on the left have between them all the appeal of a rabid dog at Crufts.
Civil war, followed by implosion is the ideal scenario. After Bliar & Bruin what is left of the Liebour party? The unions?
Gone. The white working class? What remains of them are scampering BNP-wards. Fabians/Hampstead intellectuals? Iraq did for them. All their traditional constituencies have deserted Liebour - all that's left are a couple of careerists like the above, the benefit-drawer block votes, Muslim migrants and a few encrusted Tory haters in Scotland and Wales. Not nearly enough.
Olaf Rye
January 6th, 2010 12:09pm Report this commentDavid Milliband ? That worthless and unctious worm is worse than Brown--I do hope hope they choose him so Labour can spend more time in the political wilderness.
Cynical Sole
January 6th, 2010 2:01pm Report this commentAs the bard said:
'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.
Boudicca
January 6th, 2010 2:02pm Report this commentI am so looking forward to the permanent destruction of Labour as Milipede and Balls battle it out to lead a non-Party.
Holly ......
January 9th, 2010 9:53am Report this commentThe one thing people have to keep in mind is, Brown may not be human, but he is mortal
so he will be more than gone eventually.
It is no good Labour moaning after they lose the election (in a matter of weeks, sorry I had to remind people),if Brown will not budge. They have had several chances and failed.
We may be finding it tough going to suffer Brown for weeks,how will Labour fare with another 10-15 years?
How old will Milli be? What the heck will saggy Brown's saggy Balls look like? Would people vote for saggy Brown's saggy Balls if he has wizzened somewhat,with age.Will Mandy still be here?
Who, from the present lot will still be around and invigorated enough to entice us back to vote for Labour?
Unless they get rid of the stale old Brownites/Blairites,they will all be gone.
Knowing how bright they are they will be out of power for the rest of what is left of their lives.
Shame innit.
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