Back Stabbing Politics
Paul Routledge wrote a biography of Gordon Brown, the former Labour leader, so it's hardly surprising that he weighs into the row started by Harriet Harman by effectively accusing her of stabbing his old pal Gordon in the back.
Now I happen to agree with The Mirror columnist about Harriet's motives, but that doesn't get round the fact that if she were really serious, then the Deputy Labour leader could and should have spoken out long ago.
The fact that she has waited so long before speaking her mind simply shows that Harriet has missed the boat by allowing Labour's old guard to portray her in such a selfish, self-serving light.
BY PAUL ROUTLEDGE - The Mirror
Mirror columnist Paul Routledge says it’s a bit premature to begin divvying up the spoils before battle is joined, much less won
Harriet Harman thinks she should become deputy Prime Minister if Ed Miliband wins the election in 10 months’ time.
That’s because she’s Labour’s number two and a champion of equality between the sexes. So it’s a no-brainer.
Hang on a minute, Hattie, it’s a bit premature to begin divvying up the spoils before battle is joined, much less won.
There is no rule to say that a party’s deputy leader automatically moves into Downing Street as deputy PM when it gets into power. Indeed, there is no rule requiring a DPM at all.
Maggie Thatcher had Willie Whitelaw in the post, famously saying that “Every Prime Minister needs a Willie.”
But most premiers of the last century didn’t feel the need of a deputy. It creates undue expectation.
So Ms Harman is on shaky historical and constitutional ground. Ed might be wise to give her the job, if only to keep her quiet.
But he doesn’t have to.
Harriet held forth this week about “sexist” Gordon Brown, who failed to make her DPM when he took over from Tony Blair in 2007.
If a man had been deputy leader, would he have put up with that? “I doubt it,” she declared.
I doubt her doubts. Brown was junk at delegating. He was a classic one-man band. He didn’t want a Mark Antony at the court of Julius Caesar. Or a Cleopatra, for that matter.
But why bring all this up now? It’s a gift to the Tories and their right-wing media pals. It smacks of division and ambition at the top of the Labour Party, just when we need to look – and be – united in the campaign to rid the country of the loathsome Coalition.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve known Hattie for a long time. I like and admire her. She didn’t let a posh upbringing and public school education get in the way of doing the right political thing.
Dammit, I even voted for her to become deputy leader, and I think she’s worked wonders bringing more women into Parliament.
Right now, however, I’d be more impressed if she devoted more of her considerable energies to fighting the cause of women like the care workers, school support staff and dinner ladies who were out on strike on Thursday.
It’s all very well complaining that grumpy Gordon didn’t give you an office in Number 10, or bemoaning the lack of women political journalists in the House of Commons – but what about the workers who stand in desperate need of Labour’s support?
They will never aspire to the highest echelons of government. They’d be happy with a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, looking after those who can’t look after themselves or supporting vulnerable kids from dysfunctional families.
So come on, Hattie, put self to one side and get more on their side.
