Er, not exactly.

Even his opening line: “It is with humility and pride… ” was straight out of an old Blair speech, one of those fake oxymorons, like: “it is with modesty and vanity”, the besetting sins of most politicians. The weird pledges: “democracy strengthened by citizens’ juries”. What are they when they’re at home?

Well, what were we expecting? People seem to have this mental blindspot that allows them to ignore the fact that Brown has been the big, fat spider at the centre of the New Labour web all these long years. No wonder he and his supporters moved heaven and earth to avoid a leadership contest. It wouldn’t have done to remind people that your man’s been complicit in all manner of horror, incompetence and mendacity.

Speaking of which, watching the newly elected Harriet Harman reversing away from her campaign pitches like a getaway driver in a dead end would be comedy gold if only it didn’t make the gorge rise.

Harman on Newsnight, May 29, on Iraq:

Clearly it was a mistake, it was made in good faith, but with a new leadership I think we have to acknowledge the bitterness and anger that there has been over Iraq and that we were wrong.

“I am not trying to wriggle out of my responsibility. I just think if you are looking forward and you want to rebuild public trust and confidence, you have got to admit when you got it wrong.

This morning on Radio 4 (RealPlayer required, forward about ten minutes in):

Edward Stourton: You said the war was clearly a mistake and you said the Government should apologise and admit quote we were wrong unquote.

Harriet Harman: Well, I didn’t actually say those two things you said.

She didn’t say those two thing, all right? Here’s video (forward to 13 minutes) of her not saying them, capisce?

Still, it’s all been such a thrilling, engaging spectacle that only half the Labour Party membership could be bothered to vote in the Deputy Leadership election.

Now to invigorate the country.

Posted on June 25th, 2007 at 10:17 am

See also • A ‘new’ politics #3 • Round and round went the bloody great wheel • Between Northern Rock and a hard place		Permalink • Trackback • Subscribe By Email • Print This Post • • •
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