Roy Hattersley, once deputy leader of the UK's Labour Party, writes the death-knell of Tony Blur in Thursday's London Times following the Prime Minister's one-vote near defeat of his cherished terror bill and the resignation under a cloud of scandal of his supporter and cabinet minister David Blunkett.
The Government has begun to show all the signs of disintegration. The rot can be stopped. But it will continue to sap the administration’s authority until Mr Blair leaves office and is replaced, presumably, by Gordon Brown. The sooner that happens the more likely a fourth Labour victory.
Labour backbenchers — the most supine Members of Parliament in British history — must decide where their loyalty lies. Do they want to keep their party in office or do they, like the Prime Minister, have no concern for what happens after the next election?
...In the meantime, the Government is being undermined by Mr Blair’s preoccupation — not with the long-term future of the Government, not with the greater success of his party, not with the apotheosis of a great idea — but with his own part in history. He talks openly about his bequest to the nation. And he attempts to impose his historic mark on a Cabinet that has accelerating doubts about his growing self-absorption. He may not care who wins the next general election. But they do.
What is more, they know that he will not lead them into the campaign or allocate the portfolios if it is won. A prime minister’s power is based on popularity, patronage and commitment to a great idea. Mr Blair has lost the first ingredient of authority, will soon lose the second and never possessed the third. Hence the revolts of recent days.
Hattersley absolutely nails it - and his words should have a worrying resonance on this side of the Atlantic for those in the GOP.
Unlike Blair, Bush's cabinet do not have to face re-election in their own rights - they are cronies pure and simple like all U.S. Presidential cabinets - but the Senators and Congressmen of the GOP (and maybe Condi) should read Hattersley's words with a shiver of recognition.
Like Blair, Bush has become fixated on his "legacy" and seems not to really see how his actions (and more importantly, inactions) are harming his party. One thing is certain - at this time in 2008 power will no longer flow downward from G.W. Bush and those who wish to keep some political power would do well to think on it. Household names like Frist, DeLay and Hastert have carried water for the Bush administration and continue to do so as George's popularity plummets down to 35% and beyond - do they really think that doesn't have an effect on the entire GOP? Their stars will sink with his departure, their own scandals no longer spinnable, their asses no longer covered by Bush as they will no longer be needed to cover his.
When the rising stars of the GOP read Hattersley's comments, they should try the following substitution:
Republicans on the Hill — the most supine politicians in American history — must decide where their loyalty lies. Do they want to keep their party in office or do they, like the President and his cabal, have no concern for what happens after the next Presidential election?
See how it works?
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