Saturday, January 09, 2010

How (Not) to Launch a Political Coup

Gaby Hinsliff has a hilarious article in today's Guardian, giving her top ten tips to politicians thinking of launching a coup...

1 Definitely think harder about the name. The "Snow Plot" just lent itself to headlines about slush and melting away. You want something that sounds less like rosy-cheeked winter frolicking, more like cold-blooded murder. It's all about the branding, especially when it comes to the inevitable (surely?) plot-associated merchandise. T-shirts might be nice. Team Gordon or Team . . .

2 Ah. Before overthrowing a leader, do line up a replacement. Thinking that David Miliband will be interested (again) only to have David Miliband dither for a few hours before retreating (again) isn't enough.

3 Coups are political theatre, which makes them all about casting. So probably don't put Patricia Hewitt in the lead. Good egg though she is, the mere sound of her voice makes too many male Labour MPs reach for their guns. Consider, too, whether the radical left really will rise up and follow the man who was defence secretary through the Iraq war. Maybe don't ask Tessa Jowell to be the ruthless, cold-eyed executioner, either.

Click HERE for 4 to 10.

1 comment:

DiscoveredJoys said...

It was such a stunningly incompetent attempt you have to wonder if Hoon and Hewitt had been tricked into launching a false coup to lance the boil of discontent...

I wonder who could be tricksy enough to do this?