Attack on 'stupid, stupid' Brown revives Battle of Downing St
The Blairites have gone to ground to lick their wounds over Blair's recent humiliating tactical defeat when he was forced, against his will, to declare that he will not be Prime Minister in a year's time.
It was hoped that both sides would refrain from the kind of public bickering that has caused so much harm to the party over the past week.
Brown had come out and said that he would back any decision Blair made regarding his future and the stage was set, albeit painfully, for a supposed peaceful transition of power between the two camps some time in the future.
What a shame that Charles Clarke didn't get the memo.
Yesterday he launched a ferocious attack on Gordon Brown that may well upset the fragile apple cart when he labelled Brown a "control freak" who might lack "the bottle" to become prime minister.
Mr Clarke made several pointed criticisms of the chancellor in a speech in London this week. But his remarks yesterday went far further. He said Mr Brown's succession was not inevitable and he had failed to work with cabinet colleagues, adding that MPs were "worried about Gordon" and needed reassurance.I notice the continual inference that recent events have in some way been manufactured by Brown, an obvious denial of the reality that many of the people calling for Blair to name a date were moderates and natural Blair allies. The Blair camp seem to be ignoring the fact that the party is at it's worst position in the polls since Labour came to power and that Tony has certainly lost his appeal with the electorate.The former home secretary said MPs had been angered by pictures of Mr Brown grinning on Wednesday, at the height of the furore surrounding Mr Blair's future. "A lot of people are very upset and cross about that. It was absolutely stupid: a stupid, stupid thing to do," he said.
"He is talented and brilliant but there are these little incidences like the grin in the car that build up a terrible picture."
Mr Clarke told the Evening Standard: "What he should have done was come out strongly and distance himself from [backbench rebels]. He could have done that with a click of his fingers. This has been complete madness."
In such circumstances all political parties will start to panic and question whether new blood is needed at the top. The Blairites are deluding themselves by choosing to see recent events as part of the long running feud between Brown and Blair over succession rather than as the natural indication that Blair's Premiership has run it's course.
I have warned before of the damage that could be done to the party by constant infighting and the danger remains real.
Oppositions do not win elections, sitting governments lose them. And any impression of disunity amongst Labour ranks is a gift to Cameron and the Tories; a man who has had amazing success in the polls without ever telling any of us what he stands for - apart from meaningless buzzwords like "forward looking" and "renewed".
It is time for the Blair camp to do the very thing it has been demanding of the Brownites - call off the dogs of war. For the sake of the Labour Party itself.
What Clarke saidClick title for full article.'A lot of [MPs] are worried about Gordon and they need to be reassured ... He has to show that he can lead. The jury has been out on that'
What it means
Blairites warn that Mr Brown is a divisive figure who will not be able to unite the party when Mr Blair finally steps aside.
What Clarke said
'For a year I have urged him to set out a course openly. So has Tony. It is down to him now'
What it means
Allies of the prime minister say that if the chancellor wants to be leader he should say so publicly, and explain what he would do in the role.
What Clarke said
"I do not have a high opinion of the post [of deputy leader]. The important thing is to get the leader right."
What it means
Some suggest Mr Brown could be teamed with a younger, English, more affable figure to increase his appeal to the electorate. Mr Clarke implies that the role of deputy is largely irrelevant to most voters.
What Clarke said
"What he should have done was come out strongly and distance himself from them [the junior members of the government who resigned on Wednesday]. He could have done that with a click of his fingers. This has been complete madness."
What it means
Blairites and other critics of Mr Brown are furious at what they see as an attempted coup, and want to force him to show his hand.
What Clarke said
"Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence. He is nervous."
What it means
Reminiscent of the infamous Blairite briefing that the chancellor had "psychological flaws", it hints at rivals' private accusations that Mr Brown sometimes give the appearance of being paranoid and insecure.
What Clarke said
"[Gordon becoming leader] depends very much on the circumstances of the election and Gordon setting out his views positively and setting a course for his leadership."
What it means
Those who oppose Mr Brown fear his leadership bid is unstoppable, but are desperate to find a challenger.
What Clarke said
'We will not succeed if some new leader or deputy leader produces, like a rabbit out of a hat or Marilyn Monroe out of a birthday cake, a series of policies and pronouncements for us all to admire'
What it means
Gordon Brown is frequently accused of being secretive and keeping his cards close to his chest. Supporters hint he plans surprising policy announcements when he takes over.
What Clarke said
'[I want] to encourage my party to address openly the whole range of policy questions we face'
What it means
The Chancellor is concerned that Blair allies are attempting to box him in to a set of policies, tying his hands when he takes office.
What Clarke said
'It would be wrong to say that there are no circumstances at all under which I would [stand for leader]. It depends on what happens between now and Tony standing down and that is largely in Gordon's hands'
What it means
A thinly veiled threat that the Chancellor will face a Blairite challenger if he antagonises the prime minister and others any further.
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