Article

2003-03-12 Britain

Labour plotters take first steps to oust Blair

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Posted by Bulldog 2003-03-12 03:01 am|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Saw him on Fox this AM doing his speech, with Jack straw seated behind him - he looked pretty good, and slightly pissed off. It appeared he was on his game

Posted by Frank G 2003-03-12 08:18:55|| 2003-03-12 08:18:55|| Front Page Top

#2 Perhaps he Blair should: (i) tell George W. Bush to go on without the UK (ii) Call a national election (iii) Inform the people that the Labor backbenchers have cost England its honor and switch parties to the Tories in time for the election. (iv) Sit back and watch the sparks fly.

Posted by Yank 2003-03-12 12:14:31|| 2003-03-12 12:14:31|| Front Page Top

#3 bulldog -

we have seen poll data on UK suport for war iwth UN (75%) and without (25%) do you have any sense of support if moral majority (9 yes vote but France vetoes, or France and Russia veto0 ???

Also - any possibility of "new Labor" under Blair breaking from Labor (like Soc dems did) and perhaps making coalition with Tories??

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-03-12 14:42:43|| 2003-03-12 14:42:43|| Front Page Top

#4 a note to bulldog and other brits here

WE are grateful for support of Blair and strong minded Brits - if the left pulls out rug now we will not hold it against Blair and Britain.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-03-12 14:44:22|| 2003-03-12 14:44:22|| Front Page Top

#5 Damn straight, liberalhawk. Blair's leaving it all on the field as we say over here. I, for one, am grateful.

Posted by tu3031 2003-03-12 14:55:30|| 2003-03-12 14:55:30|| Front Page Top

#6 I second liberalhawk's sentiment: Blair has done his best and proved himself a true ally. The way the British feel is consistent with years of liberal-speak and liberal-press.

Isn't it ironic that the people Blair supported up until this time have created a mindset in the public that has come back to haunt him at a time he needs it the least...

Posted by Ptah 2003-03-12 15:15:34|| 2003-03-12 15:15:34|| Front Page Top

#7 Andrew Sullivan (http://andrewsullivan.com/, editing buttons at the bottom still don't work on my Mac, Fred) has a different take on this today: he notes that the protesting MPs are so far left that they really aren't a threat to Tony, and that as long as Tony controls the National Executive Committee, he's fine. And he does. Andy also notes how little influence Claire Short has.

Incidentially, the residents of the island of Montserrat are very unhappy with the current British governor, who they feel is ignoring them (they have an active volcano on the island and the governor insists that they move out of the way). They're so angry that they're comparing him to their previous governor who set an all time low for relations with the islanders. Who is that? --

-- Claire Short.

So she's consistent!

Posted by Steve White 2003-03-12 16:11:03|| 2003-03-12 16:11:03|| Front Page Top

#8 Liberhawk - I haven't read any polls gauging public support for war with a UNSC "moral majority", they seem to have asked about "UN approval" - pretty vague, but I suppose you'd have to assume that meant full UNSC sanction with no vetoes. I can't speak for everyone, but I'd say a lot depends on how Tony handles the situation and who and how many MPs speak out against him.

New Labour wouldn't for a coalition with the Tories, which is a shame because they have a lot in common (far more than either would like to admit). Tony can rely on the Tories support here, but a division of the Labour party is very, very unlikely. A few left wingers (the Tam Dalyells, Clare Shorts etc.) could conceivably break away the become "Decrepit Labour", or join the Lib Dems perhaps... Tony's support has actually increased in the Commons in the last couple of days. I think the war mentality has set in already (war with the French, that is) - there's a lot of sympathy for Tony because of the French obstinacy at the UN.

And, appreciate the good will guys - we're in it for the long haul too.

Posted by Bulldog 2003-03-12 16:56:44|| 2003-03-12 16:56:44|| Front Page Top

#9 Bulldog-- "we're in it for the long haul too", so true, so true. Glad to have you by our side. I fear the world will spend the next couple of decades living the old Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times". God help us all.
And "God save the Queen!"

Posted by Rifle308 2003-03-12 20:22:21|| 2003-03-12 20:22:21|| Front Page Top

#10 Just goes to show about family,we may fight on occasion(1776/1812),but stick together in the long run.
I thank God for the British and thier since of right and wrong.
It is good to have you standing by or side,cousin.

Posted by raptor 2003-03-13 06:32:33|| 2003-03-13 06:32:33|| Front Page Top

06:32 raptor
05:02 Peter
00:43 Ben
00:13 Frank Martin
00:13 Steve White
00:01 The Marmot
23:55 g wiz
23:39 Anonymous
23:37 The Marmot
23:35 Anonymous
22:34 Frank Martin
22:27 tu3031
22:23 Dishman
22:23 liberalhawk
22:20 tu3031
22:17 tu3031
21:57 Frank G
21:10 g wiz
20:34 tu3031
20:31 Frank G
20:26 tu3031
20:22 Rifle308
20:13 Rifle308
19:54 Tom