The Spectator

Leader of the lemmings

The Spectator on the Labour leadership speculation

issue 02 August 2008

So madly introspective and self-obsessed has Labour become that it seems almost impolite to intrude upon its private agonies. Yet since the party is still notionally governing the nation it is our duty to knock on the door, and ask what all the tears and shouting are about.

The conduct of the government since the Glasgow East by-election has been a study in the pathology of denial. The Prime Minister and his colleagues insist that they are ‘getting on with the job’ and focusing on the public’s priorities — refusing, so they claim, to be distracted by little local difficulties. One wonders how many little local difficulties are needed — the town hall elections, Boris Johnson’s victory, Crewe and Nantwich, the fall of Glasgow East, disastrous polls — before they face the music.

Naturally, the Labour movement’s every thought is now turned to the question of leadership.

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