The Sun’s announcement that it is ditching Labour and backing the Tories appears to have completely scuppered the Brighton conference.
Damage reduction exercises by the Prime Minister, Lord Mandelson and Harriet Harman have only made matters worse. The video of the final moments of Gordon Brown’s interview with Sky’s Adam Boulton reveals the full extent of his anger; Mandelson was forced to deny using a particularly forceful expletive in a telephone conversation with News International’s chief executive, Rebekah Brooks; and Harman used her speech on equality to point out that – wait for it – the Sun features pictures of topless models on page 3. Well, I never.
The PM’s discomfiture is unlikely to be eased by this morning’s edition of the Sun, which continues its less than flattering critique of the last 12 years of Labour government. Worse still, however, it contains an “exclusive” report that Tony Blair is poised to become the “first President of Europe in weeks”.
The latter will surely cause particular displeasure to the beleaguered Brown. Readers may like to be reminded of William Hague’s vision of the scenario, delivered during the debate on the Lisbon treaty in January last year:
We can all picture the scene at a European Council sometime next year. Picture the face of our poor Prime Minister as the name “Blair” is nominated by one President and Prime Minister after another: the look of utter gloom on his face at the nauseating, glutinous praise oozing from every Head of Government, the rapid revelation of a majority view, agreed behind closed doors when he, as usual, was excluded.
Never would he more regret no longer being in possession of a veto: the famous dropped jaw almost hitting the table, as he realises there is no option but to join in.
And then the awful moment when the motorcade of the President of Europe sweeps into Downing Street. The gritted teeth and bitten nails: the Prime Minister emerges from his door with a smile of intolerable anguish; the choking sensation as the words “Mr President” are forced from his mouth.
And then, once in the Cabinet room, the melodrama of, “When will you hand over to me?” all over again.
Benedict Brogan says that Brighton was particularly quiet last night.
David, I recently stumbled across your blog and wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying it! Informative whilst at the same time providing some much needed entertainment.
There is a story-telling feel about it that highlights the absurdity that has gotten into our current govermnet. I feel like I am reading a spoof of how not to lead the country, and then I realise that sadly this is all reality!
A step in the right direction with the Sun’s move, I hope conference next week continues the conversatives’ momentum.
Edwina