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
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
If They Were Men of Honour They Would Resign
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
He's a Nu Laber junior minister. So he searched FOR his soul............
ReplyDeleteGood point Iain - but this is the New Labour party careerist lot that we are talking about.
ReplyDeleteYes...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.
ReplyDeleteYou people are brain dead. Typical Tory tree-huggers.
ReplyDeleteAs 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.
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!
ReplyDeleteHonour, 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.
ReplyDeleteAs 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteIf 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.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading that he has resigned, Iain. Maybe he reads this, or maybe he's just got some professional standards?
ReplyDeletehe has signed - so I guess he is a man of honour, Iain?
ReplyDeletehe has now!Another nail in the coffin.
ReplyDeletelipwAnd he's now resigned...
ReplyDeleteI disagree.
ReplyDeleteConstitutionaly & 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.
Tom Watson has now resigned, I understand, from a report in the Sun.
ReplyDeleteIf they're reporting a day for Blair's departure in the Sun, I reckon it must be "officially sanctioned".
He has now.
ReplyDelete...Watson has just quit! Presumably he had a bout of conscience after his morning blog perusal.
ReplyDeleteHe has resigned.
ReplyDeleteQuick get up to date the man has resigned!! Blair now off on another of his world trips!! wonder why?
ReplyDeleteformer junior Defence Minister Tom Watson that is...hes resigned!
ReplyDeleteHe's gone, you know.
ReplyDeleteKhalid Mahmood, a parliamentary secretary to Home Office Minister Tony McNulty, has also jumped.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Great Ship Blair is sinking...
It looks like Tom Watson disagreed with me about requiring to resign.
ReplyDeleteIt happens.