... along with loyalty is in short supply right now in the Labour Party. But well done to Richard Corbett MEP for not just going with the flow: http://corbett.pir2.info/blog/2006/09/i-and-many-of-my-colleagues-are.html
I'm not sure even the PM wants to stay on quite as long as Richard is suggesting but at least Mr Corbett is displaying some guts on this, as are the 49 MPs the BBC has just said have signed a pro-Blair letter.
"the 49 MPs the BBC has just said have signed a pro-Blair letter."
ReplyDeleteIt seems that those 49 MPs are satisfied that Miliband hinted that Blair will go next year.
I think that Miliband's suggestion of this time next year is probably what Blair wants. It makes sense electorally for the Party (long enough for GB to bed in but not so long that the GE is after his honeymoon) which is the main consideration.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the suggestion of Blair stepping down in May/June 2007 after his 10th anniversary and the new leader elected in time for the September conference makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIf Welsh MPs are so worried for the Assembly elections, TB can always announce it a couple of days before the 2007 local elections.
I agree that he would risk to be a lame duck if he says now that he's going next year.
I suppose the fear is that if there's not a clear timetable, he'll try to go on and on and delay the handover to 2008.