More and more, it seems that Gordon Brown’s government becomes eerily reminiscent of John Major’s hapless ministry. Each day brings a fresh wave of damaging stories that sink the government further into the mire, providing material for fresh bouts of recrimination and acres of still more devastating coverage. Major, of course, was more unfortunate in having a smaller majority and a more awkward squad of unhappy, self-centred backbenchers. In fact just about the last people to realise the extent to which the Tories were doomed was the New Labour leadership itself.
Still, the parallels remain strong. Exhausted? Check. Bereft of ideas? Check. A Prime Minister who becomes a figure of fun, not to say open mockery? The parliamentary party unravelling? Check. Local election meltdown? Check. Losing by-elections in previously-safe seat? Probably. “Unhelpful” sniping from the sidelines? In spades.
Why, just today, you have John Prescott calling Brown “annoying and prickly”, Lord Levy saying it’s inconceivable Broon couldn’t have known about Labour’s dodgy “loans for Lordships” programme and Cherie Blair complaining about how Brown was always “rattling the [Downing Street] keys” at the Blairs, reminding them their time was up and it was Gordie’s turn to have a go at mismanaging the country.
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