Exit Johnson, Stage Right

Far be it from me to speculate on something I don't know the details of, but I can't help but think that there is something behind Alan Johnson's decision to quit as Shadow Chancellor. The phrase "personal reasons" is almost beyond parody; it means nothing and everything simultaneously. It is pretty much calling out to the press to investigate - and speculate - further.

Of course, it might all be down to personal reasons. It might be that Johnson does want to spend more time with his family. It might be that there is a scandal brewing - something in his private life that prevented him from running for Labour leader and from challenging Brown went it might have made a difference to Labour's chances at the 2010 election. Or it might be - and this is what I suspect is the truth - that Johnson just thinks Ed Miliband is a massive twat that he simply cannot work with.

And coming so soon after David Miliband - Ed's own brother for fuck's sake - decided the backbenches are better than the Shadow Cabinet, this can't be anything other than an indictment of the leadership of Miliband Minor. Either his judgement is flawed in making Johnson his Shadow Chancellor or he is such an arse that a generally genial figure like Johnson cannot work with him.

What happens next is difficult to predict - although it will probably be nothing. At least not in the near future. But with the government following austerity policies and the Lib Dems about as popular as chlamydia, Miliband Minor should be riding the crest of a wave. As things stand, he is unable to get those closest to him to work with him/continue to work with him. This doesn't feel like a politician at the height of his powers; this feels like a leader unable to lead. And having endured a similar sort of leader in the form of Gordon Brown for several years, I can't help but wonder how long Miliband has left to show his own party that he is different in style and capability from the man who was his mentor.