Iain Dale's Diary: If They Were Men of Honour They Would Resign
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Tuesday, September 05, 2006

If They Were Men of Honour They Would Resign

Iain Dale 9:16 PM

Tom Watson is a junior Minister at the Ministry of Defence. He's also a blogger. Today he signed the letter which called on Tony Blair to quit. I've no doubt that he searched his soul for many hours before signing the letter. Four government PPSs also signed the letter. I for one would have more respect for them if they had resigned their positions at the same time. If you no longer have confidence in your Prime Minister, how is it tenable for you to stay? Hat tip Bob Piper

27 Comments:

At September 05, 2006 10:06 PM , Blogger Beachhutman said...

He's a Nu Laber junior minister. So he searched FOR his soul............

 
At September 05, 2006 10:07 PM , Blogger Chris Palmer said...

Good point Iain - but this is the New Labour party careerist lot that we are talking about.

 
At September 05, 2006 10:25 PM , Blogger AnyonebutBlair said...

Yes...but as we all know any paid up member of NuLab has no honour, it was sold very cheaply a long time ago along with their integrity. As Nick Robinson just said on the news - what does this say for Tone - has he sacked any of them yet? What power does he still have? It's about to end in tears....sadness for Tone & Cherie, but of unbridled joy for me. I will be changing my alais to anyonebutbrown shortly I suspect.

 
At September 05, 2006 10:47 PM , Blogger Luke Akehurst said...

You people are brain dead. Typical Tory tree-huggers.

As I explained at length on my blogsite http://www.lukeakehurstsblog.blogspot.com this morning, I helped to write this stupid memo in order to create a pre-emptive false split in the Party at a time when we can soundly crush the opposition.

The boot was on the other foot for once, with my former flatmate and "boss" (when we were both NOLS officers) Tom Watson merely a signatory to my rather excellent work.

 
At September 05, 2006 11:10 PM , Blogger Adrian Yalland said...

Why resign? This would (a) require a degree of honour, and (b) they know Blair won't sack them - he hasn;t got the power to do so anymore!

 
At September 06, 2006 3:17 AM , Anonymous Casual Observer said...

Honour, integrity, principle, honesty, etc. They are just following the fine upstanding traditions of nulab and the example set for them by the dreadful deputy PM in not resigning when caught with his willie in the wrong place and his wierdo boss for not sacking him.

 
At September 06, 2006 8:44 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

As I see it, the only reason many of Mr Blair's constituency MPs are writing letters, is self-interest -they are afraid they will inevitably lose their own seats!

 
At September 06, 2006 9:48 AM , Blogger Man in a shed said...

I wonder what Gordon thinks of unloyal ministers - even if he wills the end they seak. I bet its unprintable. They may lose their extra salaries and perks anyway.

 
At September 06, 2006 10:00 AM , Anonymous ChaunceyGardener said...

If Blair had an ounce of authority left he would sack them. The fact he won't shows just how much his authority has disaapeared. I suspect if did do it the PLP would go open revolt and he would be out of Downing Street within a week as it would be seen a declaration of war.

 
At September 06, 2006 11:38 AM , Blogger The Grumbler said...

I'm reading that he has resigned, Iain. Maybe he reads this, or maybe he's just got some professional standards?

 
At September 06, 2006 11:43 AM , Blogger Barry Beef said...

he has signed - so I guess he is a man of honour, Iain?

 
At September 06, 2006 11:45 AM , Anonymous Lord Haw Haw said...

he has now!Another nail in the coffin.

 
At September 06, 2006 11:47 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

lipwAnd he's now resigned...

 
At September 06, 2006 11:56 AM , Blogger Neil Craig said...

I disagree.
Constitutionaly & I think morally it is the government's job to fire them.

This has not been an unattributable briefing by the famous "sources close to" of "friends" & I think has been honourable.

They may quite reasonably feel that the government is marginally better with him in than out. If you don't feel you are in the wrong you should make the bastards fire you.

 
At September 06, 2006 11:57 AM , Anonymous Melissa Bean said...

Tom Watson has now resigned, I understand, from a report in the Sun.

If they're reporting a day for Blair's departure in the Sun, I reckon it must be "officially sanctioned".

 
At September 06, 2006 11:58 AM , Anonymous chris doidge said...

He has now.

 
At September 06, 2006 11:58 AM , Anonymous Jon Swaine said...

...Watson has just quit! Presumably he had a bout of conscience after his morning blog perusal.

 
At September 06, 2006 12:02 PM , Anonymous ajd said...

He has resigned.

 
At September 06, 2006 12:06 PM , Blogger jimthechimp said...

He's gorn....."Defence Minister Tom Watson has resigned from the Government. In a letter he has said that it was no longer in the country's interests for the PM to stay in office."

..or for him to be a bag carrier.

All we need now is for Chris Bryant to lose his briefs.

 
At September 06, 2006 12:07 PM , Blogger Mark said...

There he goes... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5319328.stm

 
At September 06, 2006 12:08 PM , Blogger Mark said...

There he goes....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5319328.stm

 
At September 06, 2006 12:08 PM , Blogger Jonathan M Scott said...

BREAKING NEWS - Tom Watson has now resigned, according to Sky News. All credit to him. (See also my post on the thread on Blair's departure.)

 
At September 06, 2006 12:17 PM , Anonymous Grumpy Ken said...

Quick get up to date the man has resigned!! Blair now off on another of his world trips!! wonder why?

 
At September 06, 2006 12:18 PM , Blogger James Maskell said...

former junior Defence Minister Tom Watson that is...hes resigned!

 
At September 06, 2006 12:33 PM , Anonymous BAckword Dave said...

He's gone, you know.

 
At September 06, 2006 1:37 PM , Anonymous leon said...

Khalid Mahmood, a parliamentary secretary to Home Office Minister Tony McNulty, has also jumped.

Looks like the Great Ship Blair is sinking...

 
At September 06, 2006 2:34 PM , Blogger Neil Craig said...

It looks like Tom Watson disagreed with me about requiring to resign.

It happens.

 

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