Labour’s Lost Vision
Comment at end
4th November, 2007
HAVE THEY REALLY LOST IT?
No, of course not. You can’t lose something you never had to begin with. And on June 27th 2007, the Lost Leader took it with him.
He actually wanted to leave it behind for the use of others. But, oh no, the others in their wisdom had laid so much store in Not Being Tony Blair, that much as they wanted to, they couldn’t pick it up after him.
So now, it seems, a major search is on to replace it.
Fat chance of that.
Even in the last year of his premiership Blair was raising issues, setting them in stone as firmly as he could, and announcing their inception; presumably so that we might remember where they came from, or notice who decided to relegate them.
And therin lies Brown’s ‘New’ New Labour’s dilemma. He’s pretty much on board for much of Blair’s vision - thought of some of it himself, I’m sure. But his silly party, or some of them, thought they were ditching all of that. That was evident at their party conference when one or two notables seemed to be moved to tears at Brown’s words. Or at least that’s how I recall it. Perhaps I was dreaming at the time; I was almost certainly somnolent. It was even more evident of their dumping of their most glorious ten years, when they seemingly airbrushed out of history the man who had actually prevented them becoming history.
Serves them right.
And in the Queen’s Speech this week, we’re going to get … well, all the stuff we had before, in the summer, after Blair left. You remember, don’t you?
As with so much about being prime minister Gordon Brown misunderstood the drama, sense of moment and occasion and the essential stage-management behind the front of politics. He thought he could announce the year’s programme early and still get us all hanging onto the Queen’s every word at the opening of parliament. As it is, I’m off somewhere interesting on that day. Slovakia, if I recall my diary properly.
Of course it might also have been that he fully intended the election that never was to be over by now, and him back in the hot seat, with nothing more to concern him than whether or not to add Tony and Cherie to the No 10 Christmas card list.
Ah, but events dear boy.
And events are going to pile on them heavier and heavier, sooner and sooner.
PAKISTAN - AN EVENT
President Musharraf of Pakistan has declared martial law. David Miliband, about as experienced as GB’s cabinet gets in international affairs came out with some lukewarm stuff today.
But remember it’s so hard for them. They’ve only been in the job five months!
They don’t yet accept or understand that the world is now a global political village; it’s not just about tax cuts and the health service. For example, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Tony Blair, who is today in Jerusalem, hasn’t already been on the phone to the Americans over Pakistan, although not as a British politician. He isn’t one now, speaks not in their name, and has no wish or power to influence the present government’s policy.
BUT, and it is a big but, he is involved internationally for the Quartet in the region on peace talks. He is in the middle of discussions regarding the meeting in Annapolis set for some time in the next few weeks; who will attend; who will not. As the west’s closest ally in the region in the fight against islamist terrorism, and a nuclear power to boot, there is at least a chance that the Pakistani General/President who took control in a coup eight years ago, might have been expected or wished to be represented. And Blair has met with Musharraf on several occasions. They have a good working relationship. Wonder if Blair has been in touch with him or Bhutto. he will certainly wish to speak to president Bush on all of this. As should Brown; but if he does so, he will keep it quiet. Big mistake.
Poor old GB/PM. In an effort to prove that we Brits are independent of the USA and anyone else important in the west, he can’t be seen to make noises about speaking to President Bush over this or ANYthing. So Miliband comes out with a bland statement while they chew over the options and see what America actually says. America has now spoken and it is harsher by far than Miliband’s utterances. We look weak and unimportant.
I almost feel sorry for them.
And meanwhile that “vision” thing that Blair left on the table as he departed … guess who’s picked it up?
Oui, oui, M Sarkozy, ou Blair Mark deux.
Establishing himself firmly in America’s mind as a good French guy, President Sarkozy (now there’s a guy with presence) has been all over our screens today after securing the release of hostages in Chad. Tres Blairite.
Merveilleuxe stuff!
And I wonder whether he has yet received a phone call from his bon ami M Blair to congratulate him?
There’s more to being prime minister of a great nation that just not being the last guy, Mr GB/PM.
In fact, if you could find and borrow half the qualities of the last guy it’d be a start.
Meanwhile, just keep looking ….
I’m sure it’s there somewhere …
… that blasted vision thingamy.
