Another week, another great column from Rachel Sylvester. It contains venomous quotes aplenty (e.g. one cabinet minister: “We’re all doomed … We might as well ring the removal vans to take us out of office.”), and some important observations about Labour donors. Here’s the key passage:
“I bumped into one rich businessman, who has given substantial sums to Labour, rushing into the House of Lords last week.
‘I’m not going to give them any more money while Gordon Brown is leader,’ he declared. ‘It’s time for the next generation to take over.’
Another former donor admitted that he was deeply disappointed by the Labour leader’s performance ‘He’s just not up to the job,’ he said. ‘Being Chancellor played to all his strengths but Prime Minister seems to bring out every weakness.’
One potential leadership candidate claims that three of the party’s longstanding backers have telephoned him to say that they would start giving again if Mr Brown stands down. A group of Labour donors recently met to discuss whether Alan Johnson or David Miliband would be a more popular replacement.”
A number of factors have kept – and will probably keep – Brown in power. Among them: the lack of a willing and able replacement, as well as Labour’s reluctance to have a second new leader in as many years. But with the party facing bankruptcy, the threat of the money-well drying up could override all other considerations. Watch this space.
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