Jumping the Gun

It was always going to happen - someone stands up to challenge Gordon Brown. Perhaps the only surprise is that it is someone from the left of the party, as opposed to the Far Right.

Of course, John McDonnell is doing this for honourable reasons - as BBC news states, he wants to "get back to grass roots campaigning" and he wants to increase democracy in the Labour party. Ignoring the fact, reported by Guido, that he restricts when his constituents can talk to him - oh such a democratic thing to do - I think this is a positive move. Both the Labour and the Tories manage to elect their leaders, and a Brown coronation does not help anyone other than Gordon Brown. Don't get me wrong, I would never vote for anyone like McDonnell but at least the rise of the dour one will be contested.

But then McDonnell ruins it all by lying. He says "This is not a move against Tony Blair". Oh, come on, McDonnell, please don't patronise us with this sort of bollocks. Of course this is a challenge to Tony Blair. It comes in a week were his key political allies are being arrested or questioned by the police. He is a (very) right wing MP, you are a very left wing one. You would love to see Blair gone - everyone can see that. So have the bottle to say what you actually want to do - stand up and say "yes I am a stalking horse and I want to challenge Blair for the leadership." If Anthony Meyer can do it, so can you.

It is all good though. With every passing day the shameless Bliar gets more and more compromised, and I look forward to seeing him fall. If I was a gambling man, I would be putting money on September...