Straw breaks his silence
James Forsyth 3:28pm
Jack Straw has emerged from his self-imposed purdah to offer his support to Gordon Brown on The World at One. Straw declared "I'm absolutely convinced that Gordon Brown is the very best person to lead the Labour party and the government through these difficulties and beyond." He went on to say that, "Nothing that has happened has changed my view that he is the best man for the job" (which makes me think that Straw holds his colleagues in rather low regard). Just in case he hadn’t sufficiently reassured the Brownites who have been so enraged by his silence, he concluded: "There is no contest, there will be no contest and neither should there be."We have a powerful leader".
Straw’s decision to put his head above the parapet to back Brown suggests that the moment of immediate danger for Brown has passed. Though, John Rentoul is right to note how neither David Miliband nor James Purnell actually ruled themselves out of running when asked if they were planning to do so.
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Comments
Joel
May 27th, 2008 4:30pmI agree with Straw when he says,
'I'm absolutely convinced that Gordon Brown is the very best person to lead the Labour party.....'
You're damn right he is, lead them into OPPOSITION!
Oscar
May 27th, 2008 4:35pmMore good news for the Conservatives then. Brown does have a talent for some things - exoceting rivals in his own party is one of them.
Water
May 27th, 2008 4:45pmStraws words that "There is no contest, there will be no contest and neither should there be. “We have a powerful leader," we’ll of course he is powerful he is the PM! What a totally spurious thing to say under such circumstances.
Sam Pepys
May 27th, 2008 5:27pmAnd he'll be the Vicar of Bray, Sir.
(At least, until the Glorious Restoration)
Paul Williams
May 27th, 2008 5:41pmCan I ask, where's Gordon at the moment?
There's a major fuel protest today (Tuesday), rumours about his premiership, rebelling about the VED increase etc etc ... the list goes on, but he's gone strangely silent.
You're not the chancellor anymore Mr Brown, you can't remain quiet, you have to take the lead....oh ...wait... that's the problem. You can as Chancellor but not as PM.
And why is Mr Brown the 'best person to lead us through this economic crisis' - he's the PM not the Chancellor - a Chancellor who has also remained very quiet recently.
Why isn't Mr Darling coming forward to make statements that are issues regarding his remit?
Tina
May 27th, 2008 5:54pmCan someone please show us where the evidence is for the quotes: 'He is the best man for the job' and 'We have a powerful leader'.
Nicholas
May 27th, 2008 6:29pmStraw defending the indefensible. Head in sand, brass-necked arrogance from Labour.
I will wait the 2 years to enjoy Straw's "Portillo moment" and to see this political pariah removed from the parliamentary stage once and for all, together with a few other Labour chumps who have overstayed their welcome.
Trumpeter Lanfried
May 27th, 2008 6:35pmHe missed a great opportunity to say nothing.
K. Hesketh
May 27th, 2008 6:50pmstraws of course are well-known for blowing in the wind: was it not Blair who defined Straw as 'a politcal tart'?
Max Kaye
May 27th, 2008 7:06pmStraw is stating his position - good at least for the next 24 hours. If the opportunity to take the top spot (as 'caretaker', 'safe pair of hands', 'interim leader') came along, he'd leap at it like the sly grey fox he is.
Ed
May 27th, 2008 10:02pmI'm sure Jack is all right.
"We do not and cannot accept the principle that incompetence justifies dismissal. That is victimisation."
I hope Jack is keeping a detailed diary, it will be worth a great deal sooner or later - probably sooner.
Perry
May 27th, 2008 10:02pm. . . . as a reed, shaken in the wind, . . . . as a straw bending before the gale, . . . . as a simpering opportunist struggling to hoist the storm sail, . . . . as a lost and final hope?
Burro
May 28th, 2008 8:04amPaul Williams
May 27th, 2008 5:41pm
Can I ask, where's Gordon at the moment?
Ayeee well wee Gordie is currently squatting in his wee croft with his wee hen and the bairns. He has to cut peat for the fire and get the spider of the roof, you ken.