We keep talking about which party leader is taking the lead on expenses but – from a Labour perspective – it might be more useful to look at which Cabinet ministers are doing all the running. After all, with Brown on the ropes, his potential replacements might be looking to seize the mantle of de facto leader. That’s why two passages from recent papers have caught my eye. This in today’s Times:
“Gordon Brown is being urged from within the Cabinet to lead a new public debate about state funding of the parties and reform of the electoral system, to intensify the clean-up of politics after the expenses scandal.
Senior ministers such as Lord Mandelson, David Miliband and James Purnell are calling for Labour to seize the reform agenda now, rather than hand the political initiative to the Conservatives in the run-up to the election.”
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in