There will be life after Gordon

The Independent this morning has an interesting piece about the Labour leadership bunfight that will follow Gordon’s demise after the Election. As a piece of journalism, it shows rather than tells: whether this is the mark of a great journalist or a bloke who can’t reach his own conclusions remains to be seen. Either way, it shows beyond doubt what’s wrong with the political leaderships in Britain.

The piece avers that the Cabinet favours David Miliband over his brother Ed (more experience) and the Trade Unions prefer Ed Balls to either of them (more lard, presumably). In these ‘judgements’, all the power-brokers in the Labour Party show themselves to be completely without understanding of the People.
The public sees David M for the claymation, lying little arse he is; and Ed Balls as an opportunist on the make.

Lord Mandelson represents the best example over the last decade of an operator whom politicians either secretly or openly admire. But in real Britain, he is also the most loathed politician after Brown.

The political class find certain moves clever and shrewd; and the knuckle-draggers with the vote fall for them every time. But the percentage of k-d’s in the electorate has always been hugely overestimated – and a lot of them will abstain: most of those likely to turn up and vote can see this shower coming a mile off.

The polls continue to see this as a narrowing contest. It isn’t.