What on earth is going in the Labour civil war? Yesterday, and today, there are reports that John Hutton, the Work and Pensions Secretary, is now being touted by people as the "Stop Gordon" Blairite candidate. Sorry, John who? Ok, yes, people said the same thing about Cameron, so stranger things have happened, but it all seems rather odd.After all, the obvious "Blairite" candidate has always been Alan Johnson, at least it always was. English, working class lad made good, affable, generally perceived as a bloke you could have a beer with. Now compare that to John Hutton, an academic policy wonk. Is this some sort of practical joke on the papers?
I wonder though why, if it isn't a joke, there would even be a desire to downplay Alan Johnson. Clearly the perception that he may have been planning a campaign won't have helped Johnson, but John Hutton?
6 comments:
Betcha there are people out there who will think it was him who penned the Daz, erm, Hutton Report.
I remember John for this. You can just imagine John popping round for sugar. It's an illuminating story encapsulating the profligacy and unfairness of the Welfare State and the failure of Labour to deal with the enemy within. I hope John decides to take centre stage in the coming months. He could bore for England.
Surely it's to our advantage if they get their knickers in a twist about it.
I suspect it's mischief making of some kind. Although I can't decide what or who for.
John "Fucking" Hutton is the dream candidate - for Brown, that is. A charismatically-challenged political pygmy with so little support among Labour MPs that he makes Alan Milburn look popular.
I think you will find that the Sunday newspaper political editor who was touting Hutton as the "Blairites candidate" for leader this weekend is one of Gordon's men.
You're absolutely right Paul. I want Gordon to win.
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