Saturday, June 17, 2006
A loss of confidence
When MPs were plotting to get rid of Margaret Thatcher, she always had the knowledge that whatever her Parliamentary Party thought, the vast majority of Conservative members and activists backed her to the hilt.
Alas, in Tony Blair's case, the Labour Party do not seem to want or appreciate him either. A poll has found that two-thirds of Labour's remaining members want Tony Blair to stand down by the autumn conference next year, and believe he does not trust the party sufficiently to involve members in policy making. Half of Labour's membership also feel policy is exclusively made in Downing Street by the prime minister and his advisers. Only half the party believe the government has been mostly faithful to its fundamental values.
Things are not looking good for the Prime Minister or his party.
Alas, in Tony Blair's case, the Labour Party do not seem to want or appreciate him either. A poll has found that two-thirds of Labour's remaining members want Tony Blair to stand down by the autumn conference next year, and believe he does not trust the party sufficiently to involve members in policy making. Half of Labour's membership also feel policy is exclusively made in Downing Street by the prime minister and his advisers. Only half the party believe the government has been mostly faithful to its fundamental values.
Things are not looking good for the Prime Minister or his party.
