Tony Blair just made an interesting slip of the tongue in PMQs. Asked about Miliband and Brown's leadership potential Tony Blair said this...
I will make my decision, erm statement, when I decide to stand down.
So he hasn't actually decided who to support then? Hmmm. Interesting
24 comments:
It doesn`t matter who he "supports" and the Labour Party`s wierd system makes Brown a certainty. The question is can he made to share power ...as Blair did .
Do Miliband and Brown need a "Granita Moment"?
Does any of this now matter ? With Miliband ruling out standing, Brown is now on odds of 0.15 to 1 to be the next leader. Sounds like a done deal.
PS Newmania makes a good point about the LP's system. Mrs T made a good point about it in her no-confidence speech which is linked to on my page.
Plug Plug.
Blair on the fence? Best place for him.
No, best place for him would be in the dock as the ICC!
I think Iain would prefer him to be on something else. Nudge nudge wink wink!
Don't be silly.
Miliband has not said he will not stand when Blair steps down, or at any other point in the future. All he has stated is that he 'is not a candidate' yet...
Brown is not a certainty! John McDonnell has just issued his pamphlet on Socialism in the 21st century (just £2.50) - story andf link HERE.
The LP system is a little odd. But it is by no means as certain for Brown as Newmania thinks. Who is certain for DL? Please avoid the obvious answer - who cares?
maybe Blair meant he hadn't decided to stand down yet.
Wouldn't put it past him.
Exclusive: Extract from Tony Blair's resignation statement. Embargoed until 12 Noon, 4th May 2007:
"I have always made clear my support and admiration for Gordon Brown who has, in my judgment, been the finest Chancellor of the Exchequer in my lifetime. However, the task of choosing the new leader of the party is one for the electoral college, in accordance with the party's constitution, and it would not be right for me to express a personal view on the merits, or indeed the sanity, of any particular candidate."
Blair gave Cameron a proper spanking today!
Slightly off topic Iain but still about PMQs.
Why is Blair allowed to take up limited PMQ time with his crocadile tears about recently deceased servicemen. Other leaders then follow. Result: at least a minute gone. And of no benefit to the armed forces.
No disrespect to servicemen intended.
No, best place for him would be in the dock as the ICC!
I would prefer the Old Bailey on charges of treason, corruption, abuse of power, prejury, murder and crimes against humanity.
I loved his dodge on the pensions question: pointing out that there hadn't been any mechanism to help people out under the last Conservative government...
neatly ignoring the fact that all the problems have arisen during (and, arguably, due to) the current government.
Good honest answer there: absolute truth, yet a complete deception.
Not only has he not decided who to support, he's - quite clearly - not decided when (if) to go either.
More interseting is the 'when I decide to stand down'
Re-thinking... switching away from the word "decision" is an interesting one, now that I think again:
Rather than reading it as an attempt to conceal that he hasn't made up his mind yet, it could be interpreted that he was shying away from implying that he alone will decide who succeeds him.
Making a statement implies that his opinion will be weighed up in the succession process; making his decision known implies that he will hand over the crown (as it were).
It's traditional in all the main parties for departing leaders to either a) endorse the obvious or clear successor (Thatcher=Major), or to remain above the fray and then be loyal to the successor(Wilson=Callaghan). Unfortunatley there are some exceptions with the latter and before people start mentioning Heath's attitude to Thatcher, Thatcher's later attitude to Major wasn't statesmanlike either.
If Millie's 'not standing' has been "rewarded" by the promise of the Chancellorship under Brown, then like the Princes in the Tower, his career is finished. Brown as PM will ensure his Chancellor is tightly shackled, taking the blame for the Chancellor's legacy whilst being straitjacketed in everything he wishes to do in the future. Millie has just castrated himself....nice one.
brownbadger [7.50 AM] I don't quite follow the reference to the princes in the Tower. Is Brown actually planning to murder Millie and bury him under the stairs? Not a bad idea, but sounds a little far fetched.
Having watched part of the no confidence debate on the effect of Brown's ACT tax abolition on the Pension system, I truely shudder at the prospect of Brown in charge. 'He has a lean and hungry look' sums it up.
Please Milibrain, anybody, stand!!
Trumpeter Lanfried
Smother him, so effectively, yes
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