The beginning of the end?

Last night, the Conservative Party won the Crewe and Nantwich By-Election - which was largely expected - with a 17.6% swing - which wasn't - and returning their biggest by-election victory for 30 years.

I now believe it's true that every government has a shelf life and I think the Labour Party is now seeing its shelf life expire with dire danger of pretty nasty mould setting in. It's almost inevitable, given that political parties offer so little in terms of alternative to the electorate, Labour having long abdicated any pretension to Socialism, that what they offer becomes tired and worn out after ten years in government. Maybe a period in opposition is always necessary to renew, to replenish to look at what society REALLY needs, without the pressure of having to manage on a day to day basis...and I think within a couple of years Labour will get that opportunity.

In the aftermath of the local elections fiasco and now last night's humiliation, it was predictable that Labour figures would rally to the stricken Prime Minister's aid. "It's all about the economy" said inspiring deputy leader Ditzy Harman, "it was a bad night for Labour"

Well it was that all right, Harriet, and the state of the economy and rising prices certainly doesn't help the government's cause but really, Harriet, its all about YOU and Jacqui Smith and Geoff Hoon and Jack Straw and all the others in the Cabinet who look like second raters. The shining talents who fill the British electorate with a desire to vote for almost anyone else.

Jacqui Smith and Gordon Brown



To some extent it's inevitable. I accept that with 18 years out of power, the promise of a brand new Labour government in 1997 was exciting and fresh. We had, back then, a charismatic young leader who seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the nation, a dry morose Chancellor who appeared to be the perfect counterpoint, the steady hand on the tiller. We had a feisty bearded Foreign Secretary who promised us an 'ethical foreign policy' - how short lived was that? Then came Iraq and the realities of power, the decline in Blair's standing, the increasing public sulks of Brown, the dignified resignation of Robin Cook - but we had politicians who seemed capable, who inspired confidence.

I am almost of the Machiavellian view that Brown has surrounded himself, like emperors of old, with mediocre courtiers who are not capable of overthrowing him. Harman is a clueless joke, Jacqui Smith is clearly not up to the job, Ruth Kelly has failed in almost every role she's been given, Jack Straw is way past his sell by date, as is Hoon. Brown himself I have dissected at length. He is a walking tragedy - for himself and for the country. He sulked and glowered for nearly thirteen years because Blair 'had his job' - and now he clearly is not up to it. This government is pathetic. It dithers and dawdles, seems to be dragged along by events and consists of time servers,a bunch of clueless plodders.

The Labour Party is in clear need of renewal, drastic surgery, rather like Harold Macmillan's old 'night of the long knives'. They can't get rid of Harman, she was voted into the Deputy's job, but the likes of Jacqui Smith, Hazel Blears, Straw, Hoon and co should be dumped and new young energetic talent who can really perform as Ministers given a chance. What has Labour got to lose? If it doesn't dump the dead wood it will be out on its ear -big time - at the next General Election...and even if that is two years away, I fear it might already be too late. Brown should go too - possibly in favour of David Miliband - but I'm not convinced that Labour has the balls to do that.

David Miliband

Soon, I'm sure, the British public will be singing the praises of David Cameron, it's new 'refreshing' Tory leader - only to find that the Tories, when in office, are the same old crew they always were.

It may be too late but Brown has to do something..and fast. And for once the Clinton formula "It's the economy, stupid" simply won't be enough.