Labour whips have been quick to cover their backs following last night's debacle on the Religious Hatred Bill. And guess who their fingers have all been pointing at? Got it in one. Hilary Armstrong. Surely her tenure as Chief Whip is now entering the final 'bunker' days. First out of the "It wasn't me, Guv" traps was Pairing Whip Tommy McAvoy, who was storming round the House of Commons telling anyone he could find that he had warned the Chief to haul back the 20 MPs who had been given to day off to campaign in the Dunfermline by-election. She thought differently, and we have all seen the result... So who will Blair appoint to replace her? Hot money is... and don't fall over in amazement... the hot money is on Geoff 'Buff' Hoon.
If he gives Hoon the job it would be a disaster. It needs someone who is popular with the PLP, not another absurd loyalist like Armstrong. He could do a lot worse than Fraser Kemp, who at least has his roots in old-ish Labour even though he's come a long way since, but he probably lacks the seniority.
ReplyDeleteMore on Armstrong and her hubby Paul Corrigan here.
She really has to go, there's no option for Blair. A huge embarrassment and she's solely responsible for the government's embarrassment today. As for Hoon? Maybe they can get Galloway? At least he voted with the government...
ReplyDeleteSurely responsibility lies with The Prime Minister.
ReplyDeleteIf the legislation was so important, why wasn't he there to vote for the principle of it?
And, perhaps, if he had shown the Commons and its members a little more respect over the years, it would not have come down to a situation where one vote made the difference.