Blair Reshuffles Cabinet after Local Election Disasters

The New Labour Party got thrashed at the local elections last week, losing a couple hundred councilors and control of some councils. While the party hacks tried to convince the world ahead of the vote that the election would turn on local issues, no one believed them. By-elections and local council races are occasions on which the people get to tell the PM to get stuffed. Mr. Blair reacted by changing most of his government’s personnel. He’s now out of pre-resignation cards to play.

In the life of any British government, there is the honeymoon that follows an electoral triumph. Then, there is the business of seriously governing, followed by screw-ups either of a policy or personal nature. Traditionally, when this happens, an honorable minister resigns (e.g., Robin Cook quitting over the Iraq War, or John Profumo over his sex life). Then, there’s a bit of breathing room, and the run-up to the next election.

When the PM is more than a one-term wonder, however, this cycle speeds up, and Mr. Blair now finds that he has three ministers in trouble (sexual peccadilloes, professional incompetence, and inability to function with unions) three years before a general election. After getting drubbed by a newly confident Tory Party, he did what he had to do, but it came a year or so earlier than expected. This is a sign of fatigue among voters. They have finally grown tired of Tony.

Mr. Blair is not helped by his earlier announcement that he would resign at some stage in this parliament and hand over to Gordon Brown, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (and one of the few who didn’t lose his job on Friday). Even his strongest supporters are asking “when” rather than “if.” This grand reshuffle merely removes the last excuse for staying around, the myth that the problems aren’t with the PM but his cabinet.

Further bungling or policy failures will fall at Mr. Blair’s feet. The longer he stays, the more downside he faces and the less credit he will get for any true accomplishments. Ironically, he has floated the idea of staying through the end of this parliament. Few liked it. If the opinion of the Kensington Review matters: Tony, old boy, it’s time to line up your next job, have a good holiday in August, and give Gordon the keys to Number 10 when you get back.

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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