Balls…
A vision came to me last night: Ed Balls is a Tory in disguise, desperately fanning the flames of factionalism in the Labour Party. As is Charles Clarke, as is Jack Straw, as is Brown himself for remaining leader.
Clearly
What I mean to say is the latest act in the PLP’s grim waltz to electoral suicide continued this morning. For those that haven’t heard, Ed Balls issued a stinging (hah…) attack on opponents today, calling for an end to personal attacks in the party.
Before claiming Frank Field’s behaviour cast doubts over whether his, “intentions were honourable,” in attacking Brown. This after calling not too long ago for personal attacks to stop.
Yes, I can see it too. The public just love hypocrisy. And backbenchers - who the government needs to win over if it’s to survive - are really crazy about confrontational ministerial behaviour.
Chyeah…
Field’s comments yesterday weren’t helpful to Brown or the Labour Party. They sank a raft of policy announcements in a tide of personal effluence which might otherwise have provided a vaguely fresh start for the goverment. Balls is justifiably irritated - along, so the tale goes, with a fair number of backbenchers.
Couldn’t one of them be found to attack Field? If that’d happened, the criticism would have looked genuine. Field might have been toppled from his spot as backbench-blocker-in-chief - which was an odd place for him to be anyway. Divisions between backbenchers and ministers would have been reduced, and those policies might somehow have made it to the news.
Instead - Balls makes this impromptu briefing. As Gordon Brown’s close friend and ally, his reaction looks like a personal continuation of the previous rancour. The backbenchers see their self-appointed awdward squaddrista attacked by a minister, and rally round to stop the bullying. Divisions reappear. Those policies disappear entirely, aren’t properly scrutinised and unexpectedly bite the party in the arse next year. Balls looks bitter; the party looks divided; and it all looks very weak to the public.
Strategic mistake, mayhaps? However you regard Balls as a minister, it’s impossible not to lament the damage he seems intent on wrecking within the party. He should learn to stop willy-waving, as it just doesn’t work someone in his position…
Note to self: Stop making jokes about Balls’ name. Immature and puerile, and looks silly. If not as much as the Minister for Children does at present…
Posted in: Domestic Politics, Hypocrisy, Madness, The New New Labour Project
If this is how they treat each other in power just imagine the carnage that’ll break out once they’ve lost…