Monday, September 22, 2008

Decoding Mrs Blears

On the face of it, Dominic Lawson got a corker of an interview in yesterday's Independent on Sunday - with none other than that picture of permanent chirpiness, Hazel Blears. Jane Merrick thinks it spells big trouble for one G Brown. Let's give her words a light 'fisk'... (my comments in blue italics)...

If people are telling you, Dominic, that the Government is dysfunctional on the basis of their tiny perspective... well, there may well be concerns that people have got. I do think that making decisions quickly and executing them is essential to good government, and I've learnt that over the past 10 years."
An overt reference to Brown's dithering and lack of decision making ability?
Some people are saying that he's a decent man, we're sick of all these attacks, pulling someone apart, we don't like it. But then there are concerns from people: do they really know him? I think there is a responsibility to try and connect more with people... If you're not careful, people think you're out of touch and you don't understand them, and I think that's a very bad place for politicians to be."
Which is where, by implication, she thinks Gordon is.
When people think about Gordon, it might be that he's a bit serious and dour – but experienced... People make their political decisions not just rationally, but emotionally as well, and I think that our government needs to be more emotionally intelligent, and the bit that Cameron has got is a language...
So Gordon lacks emotional intelligence.
So I asked Blears: is it your position that Gordon Brown remains the only person who can lead the country at this time? "My position is that, at a time of economic global turbulence, I think that the Labour Party needs to get on with the job of trying to protect ordinary people as they go about their lives." You will observe that Blears chose not to answer a simple question with the simple answer: yes.
She's not the only one.
I genuinely think at the moment that if we have a big bloodbath in the Labour Party... I would rather we didn't get into that sort of internecine warfare. And if the party can find another way through and face its challenges, then I think it will be in a better place."
Those words raise many more questions than they answer.
This was a genuinely revealing interview with a politician who knows what has to be done but can't quite bring herself to say (or do) what we all know she is thinking. I remember all the speeches an interviews given by the likes of Michael Heseltine, Peter Walker, et al. They were pored over by Westminster Kremlinologists, who were searching for any sign of disloyalty to the leader. Yesterday it was Hazel Blears's turn. Today it will be David Miliband's.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

She's certainly up to something.

The Tories have been very quiet for the past few weeks. Having their conference last is a massive advantage. No doubt they will point out that our economic woes are not the fault of those darn Yanks but one Gordon Brown and his advisor Ed Balls.

If Dave does his job properly next week and crucifies Gordon and new Labour, then that may be the time when Hazel and friends openly rebel.

Anonymous said...

I'm a Labour supporter and I think Hazel Blears is brilliant. This is exactly why I voted her and Cruddas for the deputy leadership. People may think they are different but what I saw was two people who "get it" -the "it" being the ordinary British man and woman on the street. Hazel deserves to be promoted much further. Some people may make jokes about her but she's sharp as a razor, tough as nails and, as a Labour supporter, I'm glad she;s on "our side".

Anonymous said...

When Chipmunks Attack!

Best to have had your rabies shots, just in case....

Chris Paul said...

What you need to do Iain is find the smoking gun. It has been hidden in the Library, Cluedo style.

Last night's Progress Rally, crammed as it goes, saw Ten Blairites all in a pretty row - well actually they came and went - but it was genuinely like some kind of Last Supper ... but surprisingly for some of them for the PLOTTING not for the PLOTTEE.

Any and all plots are over.

Newmania said...

Seems to be a general sullen politeness but if they get rid of him there has to be an election .Thats what they cannot face.

Newmania said...

Seems to be a general sullen politeness but if they get rid of him there has to be an election .Thats the odd position , if he was not so iniversally loathed they might take a chance

Anonymous said...

Beats me how someone like this can get re elected ..time after time ....

Anonymous said...

How she`s lasted so long so high up any Government is a mystery to me. Although entertaining, she is utterly useless..