Fantasy politics, in my opinion. But some excitable Labour MPs are already speculating "What if?" ahead of next Monday's likely Commons showdown over the scrapping of the 10p tax rate.

What if Gordon Brown is defeated on Frank Field's rebel amendment? What if Ken Livingstone loses to Boris Johnson in London on May 1? What if Labour rebels also throw out 42-day detention for terrorists next month?

Gordon's bungled handling of the 10p tax row has already got the "I told you so" tendency on the Labour back benches - the Blairites still furious at the ousting of their hero - gloating.

But is the tax vote really what some Brown loyalists are calling "a confidence issue", if the Government was to lose?

"Constitutionally, there's no reason why it should bring the Government down," one of the 39 backers of the Frank Field amendment told me. "But it might bring the Prime Minister down."

The same MP tells me that instead of a younger candidate like David Miliband or Ed Balls to replace Gordon, what Labour would need is a "Harold Macmillan candidate", a reference to "Supermac" succeeding Anthony Eden when he resigned due to ill health in 1957.

His suggestion? "Jack Straw," my MP pal said without hesitation. "He's held the great offices of state and he might steady the ship and get us through to the next election."

Wow!

My suggestion, however, is that the Blairites now saying "I told you so" should persuade TB to come out of his exile on the international speaking circuit and become Labour candidate in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. Then he could come to the rescue of the party.

There. How about that?

I think the Jack Straw theory is a bit far-fetched. But, having said that, Macmillan was 62 when he became Prime Minister and Jack Straw is... 62, in August this year.

So I suppose it's more likely than a Tony Blair comeback!

Comments

[Bruce Hulmes 24 Apr 2008 18:52:18]

John Delaney.
So you do not speak to those who's views differ from yours on immigration that means 80% of the population and the House of Lords committtee.
So either you know something we all don't or your a fool, which.

[Bruce Hulmes 24 Apr 2008 18:37:15]

John Delaney.
You don't talk to people who do not share your views.
Have you taken your ball home.

[Liz, Suffolk 24 Apr 2008 11:58:36]

Jack Straw as the next PM? God help us all!

[John delaney 23 Apr 2008 22:02:08]

Bruce
As I posted earlier nice try but that does not wash with me you keep trying,what I would say is this you do follow the heard and you are not worth posting to because your right wing views differ from mine so keep trying

[Bruce Hulmes 23 Apr 2008 17:19:26]

John Delaney.
Not the answer I asked for try again from your far left prospective.

[John Delaney 23 Apr 2008 16:21:29]

Now we know our Scottish and other foriegn overlords such has the Milibands,are getting worried.
How about our own Parliment.
Our Own borders.

Posted by: Bruce Hulmes 22 Apr 2008 17:01:41

I dont follow the political heard he says but I tell you what reading the thread on the st georges flag your views are not only political but far right BNP springs to mind.

[Bruce Hulmes 23 Apr 2008 14:20:42]

John Delaney.
Come on then John, let us all know what Labour have done for the English, the floor is yours.

[John Delaney 23 Apr 2008 13:48:43]

Bruce Hulmes 23 Apr 2008 13:12:28

I don't think the english part is true but if thats what you believe then thats up to you,yes I do see you don't follow.

[Bruce Hulmes 23 Apr 2008 13:12:28]

John Delaney.
If you have ever noticed I do not follow the heard on party politics, Labour have done nothing for England and the English for the past eleven years and the Tories sat there and watched them quite happy to take the tax payers money.
And I actually say no MP not just Labour, on Mr Conway the man is a typical MP, never had a proper job as they say, always sponged of others.

[John Delaney 23 Apr 2008 11:46:54]

Bruce Hulmes 23 Apr 2008 11:08:20

Does that also apply to conman the conway then aswell
that is not the point the point was swet shop britian employers taking the michael out of its workers and the tory government of the day allowing it to happen.

[Victor, NW Kent 23 Apr 2008 11:29:24]

David Cameron should underestimate the difficulties he will face when he assumes office in 2010. Under the huge pile of spin dust spread around by Labour over 13 years there are sad and serious matters to solve.

The country is in a very serious way. Education and policing are falling far below safety levels, there is no money, just huge debts to pay. Education will have been further compromised by the Socialist theories of Ed Balls.

Immigration remains uncontrolled and somehow we have to get of Iraq and Afghanistan.

National morale is at the lowest ebb for 30 years and the promised benefit reforms will not have happened.

The festering sore that is our relationship with Europe needs to be either healed or cauterised.

Elements are tugging hard to detach Scotland and Wales from the UK.

He will get little thanks as rushes to block all of these holes. Thankfully by then such naysayers as Tebbitt, Clarke and Hesletine may have stopped talking rot [or even stopped talking altogether].

[Bruce Hulmes 23 Apr 2008 11:08:20]

John Delaney

Sorry to spoil your dream but there are people working for £1.50 & 2.00 per hour. Why do you think this governemt has turned a blind eye to illegal immigration.
And is this minimum wage which no MP would even pay their useless off spring or cover their wifes taxi fares (Mrs Martin) going to lift people or families out of the poverty trap or just give them enough to pay the heating bill or the fine for not closing their wheelie bin properly.
I wonder how many Labour supporters who harp on about the minimum wage would actually work for it themselves.

[John Delaney 23 Apr 2008 10:35:29]

It make me laugh yes the 10p tax cut was a mistake but what about the minimum wage that the tories said would destroy small business etc what they wanted was swet shop britain people working for 1.50 or 2.00 an hour so if I was the tories I would shut up two faced springs to mind but then they forget all that called small mind syndrome.

[keith in croydon 23 Apr 2008 10:20:29]

ken dodd next labour prime minister norman wisdom for number two.

[John (Northumberland) 23 Apr 2008 09:43:35]

Carol Ann

I agree with you! Miliband would be crazy to take over and take the kicking for all Blair & Brown's incompetence.

Very much a William Hague moment.

Leave Gordon where he is. Ironically though, Brown would probably be best served going to the country now. It's just getting worse, the longer he goes on.

The full extent of the damage Labour has done is only just coming into view.

After this lot there may never be another Labour PM. And I'll raise a glass to that!

[E Welshman 23 Apr 2008 09:40:11]

You've forgotten:

What if Bottler's party gets hammered on 1 May?

[Victor, NW Kent 23 Apr 2008 09:27:47]

It is noticeable, following on to Carol-ASnn's comment, tha almost all Ministers when asked a question start by saying "First, I must say...." The question remains unanswered after the Minister has launched into his prepared bit of misleading statistics.

[T.J. from Ireland 23 Apr 2008 07:33:34]

I believe that at the crux of the matter, and rightly or wrongly; at the last General Election, the Labour Party was elected with Tony Blair as the leader of the party, by the British PEOPLE. The British PEOPLE never elected Gordon Brown. And until THAT situation is remedied all other arguments are academic.
I highlight the British People, because that’s who the government should be serving, and NOT the British Labour party.

[Matthew 23 Apr 2008 00:53:49]

"Gordon's bungled handling of the 10p tax row has already got the "I told you so" tendency on the Labour back benches - the Blairites still furious at the ousting of their hero - gloating."

It isn't just the Blairites (or the hard left) that have ownership of the 'told you so' tendency...and we're not gloating.

[The Morning Mail 23 Apr 2008 00:25:34]

Wonder who the next contender for Tory leader? Gideon Osborne? I understand Gidders is highly ambitious and awaits another gaffe from Cammers, like when he skipped off to Rwanda last summer when his constituency was submerged.

[carol-ann liverpool 22 Apr 2008 23:36:27]

Jon

Your theory does make sense if the reckoning is that someone like David Miliband doesn't want to go for it too soon and do a William Hague.

However, if it ever got that bad: (it isn't THAT bad, surely?)
Why wouldn't Miliband want to take on Cammers with the hope off causing him real harm...allowing him (Miliband) to scrape in at the next election and finish Cammers off?
or do you think there will need to be a deep clean, first, plus an economic miracle?
I reckon this is another cunning plan by Gordon to get the Labour MPs rejuvinated and fired up and fighting and Labour supporters out to vote in the council and Mayor elections!

He needs to stretch this out until next week and keep the Nucons off the News Channels.

He needs to tell us how many people are affected by the tax band thing, as Adam said.
When Adam interviewed John Hutton last Sunday, I was really impressed with him until he stone walled that one quesiton - you can almost hear everyone groan when MPs do that, now. It is like it is really dated and adds to the impression that they can't be trusted and are trying to hide something.

It irked me so it isn't good for those not so understanding and supportive.

You're a straight talking bloke, Jon, can't you give GB a few tips and other government ministers a' master class'

Tony Blair? Are you really serious? Wouldn't GB rather stick pins in his sensitive bits or let Frank Field take over, first, lol.