There's an object lesson in political behaviour here. Consider Geoff Hoon. He made a long ministerial career of dead-batting any questions that were put to him and did not complain when he was demoted. His expenses were open to the same interpretation as Blears but he did not panic, said nothing and as far as we can see it has all blown over. In the meantime he has quietly stepped down from government (again without comment) and will probably be rewarded with an EU Commissioner' portfolio.
Hazel Blears couldn't wait to rush into a TV studio to wave a cheque for £13,000 and this is the one move she might regret more than anything. Instead of getting the benefit of the doubt among her supporters she exposed herself to accusations of shamelessness and hypocrisy. Brown took his opportunity to put his stick in the spokes of her wheel and she responded by even sillier actions, which she presumably hoped would get Brown thrown out. Instead the Brownies have been able to put it about that Hazel Blears' resignation on the night of the election cost them lots of votes and got two seats for the BNP. Totally irrational of course but it's got enough Labour activists to believe it and look to deselect Blears.
This is not a sad story. Hazel Blears had a small intellect, if intellect at all, and it says something for the barrel-scraping of Brown's first cabinet that she was ever put in that position. As I have observed before, she had mastered the art of talking without saying anything. I always felt John Prescott mad more sense than Blears.
No comments:
Post a Comment