UK Politics
Charlie Whelan says . . .
Published 11 July 2005
Don't believe it - "Blair is untouchable"
It didn't take long after the election for the dwindling band in the Tony Blair media fan club to claim that our Great Leader was now stronger than ever. First out of the traps was the PM's public-schoolboy pal Andrew Rawnsley. Who needs the "psychologically flawed" Chancellor now the election is over, asked the fearless hack. I think he may find out sooner rather than later.
In Edinburgh for the big "Make Poverty History" march, Gordon Brown received lavish praise for his speech to Christian Aid, because everyone knows that it is he and not the Prime Minister who has negotiated the G8 debt deal. And on the media front, while Brown was happy to tell GMTV from his garden lawn how much he had enjoyed Pink Floyd, the Prime Minister's spokesman couldn't tell us if Blair had watched Live 8 at all.
We will know very shortly how scathed or not the PM is, but whatever happens, Charles Clarke will be just one of many cabinet ministers keen to see the back of Blair. The Home Secretary is seething at the Prime Minister's private views on his competence, which have now become public. For Clarke, one advantage of an early Blair departure will be an early bath for the ID card scheme. Does anyone seriously believe that Brown will back this bonkers idea?
Pre-Gleneagles, the Chancellor's only real rest at the weekend was watching the New Statesman football team being robbed of victory at Hampden Park. Judging from his post-match speaking performance, which included a joke about the Scottish goalkeeper Frank Haffey that I have now heard for the hundredth time, here is a very contented man, happily waiting for Blair to bow out.
Post this article to
We want to encourage people to comment on our content and to exchange views with other readers and hope this will be done on a courteous basis. However, if you encounter posts which are offensive please let us know by emailing comments@newstatesman.co.uk and we will take swift action where necessary.
