There has been much speculation in the blogosphere over recent days concerning John Reid's intentions towards the Labour leadership, for instance:PoliticalBetting.com
Politaholic
The UK Daily Pundit
Guido Fawkes.
Two things appear to have kicked it all off - firstly Gordon Brown's rather ill-judged kneejerk reaction to Friday's acquittal of BNP leader Nick Griffin - which managed the not-inconsiderable feat of making Reid look like a liberal - together with a view in certain influential quarters that Brown will invariably end up becoming enmeshed in the loans-for-lordships affair.
I make no comment on any of this, other than to say that I don't believe Reid has ever ruled himself in or out of the leadership battle. As I wrote HERE ten days ago, "Gordon has the conditional backing of everyone that really matters. But they still reserve the right to challenge him if it all goes wrong."
Certainly this piece in yesterday's Guardian by Jackie Ashley - a journalist with close links to the Chancellor's camp - suggests that the Brownites are taking absolutely nothing for granted.
November 15 Update: Is the heavily law-and-order orientated content of today's Queen's Speech designed to help a Reid leadership bid? Mike Smithson thinks so.
3 comments:
Who would produce the less fallout in the community - Reid or Brown? Perhaps the decision might be on that basis.
I think Gordon is trying to come over as unchallengeable, especailly now Alan Johnson has ruled himself out of the leadership race. I agree that it is not in the bag yet.
Its not in the bag and I would gamble on a late not an early declaration from Reid
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