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Britain’s main opposition leaders have launched the campaign platforms from which they hope to bring down Tony Blair, in an election expected in May. But the prime minister’s main challenge comes from an internal rival: his brooding and resentful finance minister.
A biography of Mr Brown (“Brown’s Britain” by Robert Peston, Short Books), out this week, quotes him as telling Mr Blair: “There is nothing that you could say to me now that I could ever believe”—which the prime minister’s opponents think chimes perfectly with the electorate’s post-Iraq mistrust of Mr Blair. They plan to plaster it all over their election campaigns.
Last week, when news of this quotation emerged, it was reported that a furious Mr Blair demanded a denial or retraction from Mr Brown—and didn’t get it. The prime minister then called a news conference that upstaged an important speech that Mr Brown had been scheduled to make at exactly the same time—coincidence or petty vengeance? There has been much talk of Mr Brown resigning—or Mr Blair sacking him. In either case, that would leave Mr Brown fuming, and plotting, on the back benches.
If Mr Blair wins another huge and largely loyal majority, why should he care about Mr Brown’s sulking? Perhaps the biggest threat to the prime minister is an issue that divides Labour—and the country as a whole—as much as it does the Conservatives: the referendum that Mr Blair has promised to hold, probably next year, on the proposed European Union constitution. Polls suggest Britons are likely to vote no, in which case Mr Blair, having staked his reputation on getting a yes, may be forced to resign. Mr Brown has always been careful to portray himself as a little more sceptical about the EU, its institutions and its single currency than Mr Blair. This could be his big chance to get even.
A campaign/election worth watching and paying attention to.
January 21, 2005 - 03:35 PM on January 21st, 2005
He’s cute.
January 21, 2005 - 03:35 PM on January 21st, 2005
He’s cute.
January 21, 2005 - 05:18 PM on January 21st, 2005
‘Brooding and resentful’. Nice touch.
January 21, 2005 - 08:47 PM on January 21st, 2005
Tony should hire Karl Rove:wink:
January 21, 2005 - 09:03 PM on January 21st, 2005
The british need another WINSTON CHURCHILL as their PM they have certanly gone own hill since he died or bring back another MARGRET THATCHER:cool: