The Purnell path to power
Peter Hoskin 12:07pm
James Purnell is on manoeuvres. That certainly seems to be the consensus, and it's one that I agree with. The same's also been said of Ed Balls and David Miliband. But I'm struck by just how differently Purnell is going about things from his potential rivals. His approach could pay dividends.
You see, the manoeuvres of Ed Balls and David Miliband have largely consisted of showy efforts of support for Gordon Brown - the kind that say "Vote for me, Labour MPs; I'm a good guy". Hardly any print or broadcast outlet has been spared their outpourings of devotion for the Dear Leader, and they've managed to cram in their "visions for the future of the party" whilst they've been at it.
Of course, this could well drum up the support that they crave. But it risks wedding them closely to Brown; hardly a popular figure with the public. And let's not forget that they're closely associated with him already - Miliband because he holds one of the "big four" positions in government, and Ed Balls because, well, he's Ed Balls.
Purnell's different. If my outside-of-Westminster friends are anything to go by, the public response to him would - until recently - have been "James who?". In this Government, that kind of anonymity could be a blessing. But surely he's more of a known quantity now, after the slew of media appearances that accompanied his welfare plans? True, but Purnell's media appearances have all been related to his ministerial brief. No significant gestures of support for Gordon. No hints at what he'd do in power. Just welfare and pensions. Exactly how it should be.
The outcome is that, rightly or wrongly, Purnell might be seen as the only competent member of a multi-talentless government - the man who put his head down, set to work, and delivered a set of welfare proposals that have received widespread acclaim. Yes, they may not appeal to a swathe of Labour MPs. But if the Brown Effect continues, and Labour suffer an almighty drubbing at the next election, that may not matter. The party instinct may be to remove the taint; to turn to the most viable candidate who hasn't been shaded Brown. In which case, Purnell could be back by popular demand.
Previous
Mike, Brighton
July 22nd, 2008 1:17pm Report this comment"[Purnell's welfare proposals] may not appeal to a swathe of Labour MPs"
Too right. Post-Brown, Labour is turning leftwards towards say John Cruddas (assuming he can hold his seat!). Purnell as a pseudo-conservative Blairite has a snowball in hell's chance of being the next Labour leader.
David
July 22nd, 2008 1:20pm Report this commentYou know, Purnell appears better supported here than Cameron.
Ray
July 22nd, 2008 1:23pm Report this commentIt's interesting to ponder whether New Labour's younger members are indeed thinking up long-term strategies to 'decontaminate the brand'.
fulcanelli
July 22nd, 2008 2:04pm Report this commentAll well and good, except for the obvious omission. He stole the ideas and reform plan from the Conservatives in the first place. Hardly a driving light in the government, unless plagiarising other people's work is now a talent.
JONNY
July 22nd, 2008 2:24pm Report this commentVery interesting.
Boy Jamie PM by 'popular demand'. Now that's pure Fantasy Land.
And Comment comes there none.
Do get a grip Peter Hoskin.
Rob G
July 22nd, 2008 2:32pm Report this commentPeter,
I would suggest that, should Labour receive the expected drubbing at the next election, the party will inevitably shift to the left. His announcements this week will therefore not stand him in particularly good stead if he is indeed on manoeuvres.
Perhaps he is, therefore, that rare breed of politician who is simply getting on with his assigned job.
Alternatively, maybe he expects Brown to be dragged from office rather sooner than the summer of 2010?
Mark
July 22nd, 2008 2:42pm Report this commentMr Purnell has a number of problems, not least the infamous faked photo. He may have lots of ambition, but I doubt if Labour will go for another PR-spinning ex-public school boy.
TomTom
July 22nd, 2008 3:49pm Report this commentWhat are you talking about, when you refer to a 'media onslaught' re his welfare plans? Every section of the media has been positive toward him.
Carol-Ann
July 22nd, 2008 3:54pm Report this commentPurnell has also been quite canny in the choice of media he is obviously courting. He was all over the popular media like The Sun, Daily Mail, GMTV, Sky etc as well as the usual BBC, Guardian. Whereas the likes of Miliband only ever writes for the Independent or the Guardian/Observer. When was the last time, if ever you saw Miliband on GMTV, personally I never have.
Dave
July 22nd, 2008 3:55pm Report this commentPurnell is showing who really has the 'cajones'. Balls and Miliband beware.
Stan, UK
July 22nd, 2008 4:02pm Report this commentPeople commenting here are missing the point. Purnell is getting out front with his policies and deliberately not showing overt support for Brown, unlike the other two idiots (Balls and Miliband). By pursuing this strategy he is signalling to the Blairite wing he's the man to back whilst simultaneously building up a public profile that separates him out from the Brown cabinet. Pretty clever I'd say!
Pete Hoskin
July 22nd, 2008 4:05pm Report this commentTomTom: I was referring to Purnell's wall-to-wall media appearances. 'twas badly worded, and has been corrected now.
Tara
July 22nd, 2008 4:05pm Report this commentI quite like him.
Oscar
July 22nd, 2008 4:12pm Report this commentI'd be very surprised if Purnell impressed the British public. He comes across as somehow dodgy. Blair-lite. You can't underestimate the trust factor in British politics right now. Purnell just doesn't have it.
Travis Bickle
July 22nd, 2008 10:45pm Report this commentcajones = big boxes or coffins.
cojones = balls
So Dave, What did you mean? (personally I believe, and hope, the former rather sums up Labour's prospects rather well)
Frank Pulley
July 23rd, 2008 10:51am Report this commentDavid
'You know, Purnell appears better supported here than Cameron.'
Indeed so! Will someone tell me what inroad Purnell, an obvious PM manque, has into this magazine? There is Blunkett like miasma hanging around this free PR (if indeed it is free, remembering that there is no such thing as a free lunch).
JONNY
July 23rd, 2008 2:35pm Report this commentStill don't think he's quite real. He seems to need roughing up a bit.
Now here's a thought. When he's out of a job come 2010, maybe he can clean up the litter on the streets himself.
It won't improve his designer coiffe or sharp suit. But boyo will it give him some street cred.
Michael, Westminster
July 23rd, 2008 3:32pm Report this commentI don't see how it helps Labour to have a leader that carbon copies the Conservatives' manifesto!
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