Sour Little Letter
The first thing that jumped out to me is that Tony Blair was not the only senior Labour figure to rub shoulders with Rupert Murdoch and, as regular readers know, the same charge could equally well be levelled at Gordon Brown whose wife Sarah invited Wendi Murdoch to an infamous 'pyjama party' at the Prime Minister's official residence, Chequers.
The other notable point about Neal's letter is that he has a terribly old-fashioned, 'top down' view about how political parties should behave, as if the job of a leader is to re-shape and re-fashion society in their own image (like Margaret Thatcher for example) instead of reflecting and giving voice to the hopes and ambitions of ordinary voters, not just Labour activists.
If Neal Lawson were a trade union leader, I dread to think how he would represent the interests of ordinary trade union members who didn't belong to his little 'gang' or tribe of admirers, but the reality these days is that only a tiny fraction of the electorate actively support a political party and, as Neal must know, the Labour Party's membership has nosedived in recent years, especially in Scotland.
Leadership is a complex issue and it's easy to say that 20 years after John Smith's death a 'monkey' wearing a Labour rosette would have won the 1997 general election because politics doesn't work that way.
It's not about knights in shining armour leading their troops into battle riding a white charger, although with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight Neal Lawson can obviously see things much more clearly now than he did at the time.
Dear Tony Blair, maybe it’s your fault if the electorate hasn’t shifted to the left
You were only concerned about winning, not about reshaping society. So who are you to say Ed Miliband is too leftwing?
By Neal Lawson - The Guardian
Tony Blair and Rupert Murdoch in 2008. 'Being a winner meant being on the side of other winners. Bush, the bankers, Murdoch. These were the people on top – so all you had to do was be on their side.' Photograph: Mike Theiler/EPA
Dear Tony,
You seem to be suffering an unusual bout of the dithers as 2014 ends and the year of the general election begins.
First you argue that Labour will lose if Ed Miliband rejects the third way. You fear a situation “in which a traditional leftwing party competes with a traditional rightwing party, with the traditional result”.
But then you say you have been misinterpreted. The words, though, seem pretty clear and you were always so good with words. And, apparently, at winning elections.
But we both know it’s not quite that clear or that simple. The truth is that any Labour leader could have won in 1997 – by then the nation was heartily sick of the Tories. It was time for change. Your great fortune was that the leadership came up just when most of the Labour party was desperate enough to accept victory at any price.
If he had lived, John Smith would have won in 1997 – not by as much as you, granted – but then your majority was too big, wasn’t it? I well remember crunching my way up gravel drives past BMWs in Enfield the day Stephen Twigg ousted Michael Portillo – oh, how we cheered later that morning. But in hindsight the wrong people were voting Labour. The tent was too big and you spent the next 10 years trying to keep the wrong people in it: the very rich, for example. What meaningful project includes everyone?
It took me a while, but I eventually realised that you were scared of the electorate and the British establishment. Your New Labour clique always acted like gate-crashers at a party – waiting to be turfed out of office. Despite all the bravura performances, you were uncomfortable with power.
It was as though if one seat or one newspaper editor were lost, the whole game would be up.
There were two problems with your New Labour project – it wasn’t new enough and it wasn’t Labour enough. All you did was mash up the bureaucratic state (at least 100 years old by then) and the free market (even older). You were barely committed, if at all, to the politics of equality and solidarity – or, come to think of it, liberty – given the attempts to lock innocent people up for 90 days without trial.
You were about one thing really, Tony – winning. Winning at any cost. And being a winner meant being on the side of other winners. Bush, the bankers, Murdoch. These were the people on top – so all you had to do was be on their side.
And therein lay your biggest problem: the limited scope of your ambitions. Not for you the challenge of reshaping the world in line with a new vision for society. Not for you the job of shifting the centre of gravity by detecting and riding new waves of political and cultural energy. Instead, all you did was to focus-group middle England and give a few swing voters more of what they already had. You remark, almost with pride, that the population hasn’t shifted to the left – well, what exactly was your job as a political leader supposed to be about then?
Had you not been so disdainful about anything remotely old Labour there would probably be much less support for Ukip now. True, you sneaked in some transfers to the poor in the shape of tax credits, and you introduced the minimum wage. But never with a political flourish, never with a sense of moral purpose. It was all stealth and no one knew why they were better off. As a result, the Tories could turn the clock back once they were in control again. Of course, this isn’t all your fault – it’s the fault of people like me and many others who let you get away it.
British politics is now crying out for a real choice. A society that is more equal, sustainable and democratic. Miliband’s problem isn’t that he is too leftwing or not leftwing enough. His problem is that he is not yet as modern or as hopeful as he needs to be. However his leadership might need to change, it’s madness to think that a return to 1997 is the answer.
Happy new year
Neal
Dear Tony,
You seem to be suffering an unusual bout of the dithers as 2014 ends and the year of the general election begins.
First you argue that Labour will lose if Ed Miliband rejects the third way. You fear a situation “in which a traditional leftwing party competes with a traditional rightwing party, with the traditional result”.
But then you say you have been misinterpreted. The words, though, seem pretty clear and you were always so good with words. And, apparently, at winning elections.
But we both know it’s not quite that clear or that simple. The truth is that any Labour leader could have won in 1997 – by then the nation was heartily sick of the Tories. It was time for change. Your great fortune was that the leadership came up just when most of the Labour party was desperate enough to accept victory at any price.
If he had lived, John Smith would have won in 1997 – not by as much as you, granted – but then your majority was too big, wasn’t it? I well remember crunching my way up gravel drives past BMWs in Enfield the day Stephen Twigg ousted Michael Portillo – oh, how we cheered later that morning. But in hindsight the wrong people were voting Labour. The tent was too big and you spent the next 10 years trying to keep the wrong people in it: the very rich, for example. What meaningful project includes everyone?
It took me a while, but I eventually realised that you were scared of the electorate and the British establishment. Your New Labour clique always acted like gate-crashers at a party – waiting to be turfed out of office. Despite all the bravura performances, you were uncomfortable with power.
It was as though if one seat or one newspaper editor were lost, the whole game would be up.
There were two problems with your New Labour project – it wasn’t new enough and it wasn’t Labour enough. All you did was mash up the bureaucratic state (at least 100 years old by then) and the free market (even older). You were barely committed, if at all, to the politics of equality and solidarity – or, come to think of it, liberty – given the attempts to lock innocent people up for 90 days without trial.
You were about one thing really, Tony – winning. Winning at any cost. And being a winner meant being on the side of other winners. Bush, the bankers, Murdoch. These were the people on top – so all you had to do was be on their side.
And therein lay your biggest problem: the limited scope of your ambitions. Not for you the challenge of reshaping the world in line with a new vision for society. Not for you the job of shifting the centre of gravity by detecting and riding new waves of political and cultural energy. Instead, all you did was to focus-group middle England and give a few swing voters more of what they already had. You remark, almost with pride, that the population hasn’t shifted to the left – well, what exactly was your job as a political leader supposed to be about then?
Had you not been so disdainful about anything remotely old Labour there would probably be much less support for Ukip now. True, you sneaked in some transfers to the poor in the shape of tax credits, and you introduced the minimum wage. But never with a political flourish, never with a sense of moral purpose. It was all stealth and no one knew why they were better off. As a result, the Tories could turn the clock back once they were in control again. Of course, this isn’t all your fault – it’s the fault of people like me and many others who let you get away it.
British politics is now crying out for a real choice. A society that is more equal, sustainable and democratic. Miliband’s problem isn’t that he is too leftwing or not leftwing enough. His problem is that he is not yet as modern or as hopeful as he needs to be. However his leadership might need to change, it’s madness to think that a return to 1997 is the answer.
Happy new year
Neal
Politics and Pyjamas (26 June 2014)
As one former newspaper editor (Andy Coulson) faces the prospect of prison over his role in the phone hacking scandal, here's a reminder of just how close the UK's senior politicians have been over the years to media moguls like Rupert Murdoch.
A 'pyjama party' at Chequers, the Prime Minister's grace and favour country retreat, now that really does take the biscuit.
Last week two prominent businessmen - Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch - turned the spotlight onto Britain's top politicians.
Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Jack McConnell and Alex Salmond all had their share of attention - the only VIP missing seemed to be poor old John Major - even though he have the distinction of winning a UK general election.
Donald Trump called into question the integrity of two of Scotland's First Ministers - Labour's Jack McConnell and the current incumbent Alex Salmond - leader of the SNP.
Meanwhile Rupert Murdoch told of his own dealings with various Prime Ministers and First Ministers many of whom - for obvious reasons - were very keen to beat a path to his door.
So much so that some of them - Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in particular - Rupert counted as his good friends.
Now I couldn't get too worked up about what Rupert and Donald had to say - I must admit.
Because it's just their opinion of people and their interpretation of events - which were always intended to remain private - and which took place years ago.
But amidst all the claims and counter claims - about who said what to whom and in what context - the one that caught my eye was the story about Gordon Brown losing the support of The Sun newspaper - during the 2009 Labour party conference.
Rupert Murdoch said that Gordon Brown rang him up soon afterwards to complain - and then 'declared war' on the Murdoch empire - in a perfectly civil but very bitter telephone conversation.
Gordon Brown went on of course to lose the 2010 general election - which finally forced his resignation as Prime Minister after three calamitous years at No. 10 Downing Street.
Now what I find very odd about this story is that Gordon Brown immediately released a statement - denying categorically that any such conversation took place.
The Fife MP didn't just dispute what was said - by claiming his old friend Rupert was spinning or exaggerating his version of events - according to Gordon Brown this conversation never took place.
Now Rupert Murdoch is many things - but I believe him when he says that he counted Gordon Brown as a friend.
After all Rupert's wife Wendi was invited to an exclusive pyjama party at the Prime Minister's country home, Chequers - by none other than Gordon's wife Sarah.
Now I've never been invited to a overnight 'slumber' party at Chequers - or anywhere else for that matter - but it does strike me as very personal, even intimate, thing to do.
Not at all the kind of behaviour you'd expect from people who were behaving professionally at all times - keeping each other at arm's length, so to speak.
Politics and Pyjamas (2 May 2012)
Last week two prominent businessmen - Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch - turned the spotlight onto Britain's top politicians.
Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Jack McConnell and Alex Salmond all had their share of attention - the only VIP missing seemed to be poor old John Major - even though he have the distinction of winning a UK general election.
Donald Trump called into question the integrity of two of Scotland's First Ministers - Labour's Jack McConnell and the current incumbent Alex Salmond - leader of the SNP.
Meanwhile Rupert Murdoch told of his own dealings with various Prime Ministers and First Ministers many of whom - for obvious reasons - were very keen to beat a path to his door.
So much so that some of them - Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in particular - Rupert counted as his good friends.
Now I couldn't get too worked up about what Rupert and Donald had to say - I must admit.
Because it's just their opinion of people and their interpretation of events - which were always intended to remain private - and which took place years ago.
But amidst all the claims and counter claims - about who said what to whom and in what context - the one that caught my eye was the story about Gordon Brown losing the support of The Sun newspaper - during the 2009 Labour party conference.
Rupert Murdoch said that Gordon Brown rang him up soon afterwards to complain - and then 'declared war' on the Murdoch empire - in a perfectly civil but very bitter telephone conversation.
Gordon Brown went on of course to lose the 2010 general election - which finally forced his resignation as Prime Minister after three calamitous years at No. 10 Downing Street.
Now what I find very odd about this story is that Gordon Brown immediately released a statement - denying categorically that any such conversation took place.
The Fife MP didn't just dispute what was said - by claiming his old friend Rupert was spinning or exaggerating his version of events - according to Gordon Brown this conversation never took place.
Now Rupert Murdoch is many things - but I believe him when he says that he counted Gordon Brown as a friend.
After all Rupert's wife Wendi was invited to an exclusive pyjama party at the Prime Minister's country home, Chequers - by none other than Gordon's wife Sarah.
Now I've never been invited to a overnight 'slumber' party at Chequers - or anywhere else for that matter - but it does strike me as very personal, even intimate, thing to do.
Not at all the kind of behaviour you'd expect from people who were behaving professionally at all times - keeping each other at arm's length, so to speak.
Slumber Party (7 March 2012)
I had to laugh at Rod Liddle's comment piece in the Sunday Times - he right to point out the hypocrisy on the Labour benches over Rupert Murdoch and News International.
The Labour leadership only stopped sucking up to the media mogul - after his stable of papers announced they would not be supporting the Labour party - in the 2010 general election.
Up till then Labour ministers including Gordon Brown the Prime Minister - were more than happy to have a close relationship with the Murdoch family - and not just the professional kind.
As we know now the wife of Gordon Brown - Sarah - invited the wife of Rupert Murdoch - Wendi - to a slumber party at the Prime Minister's weekend retreat, Chequers.
Now I've never been invited to a slumber party - but I imagine that not just anyone gets to go along with their pyjamas and teddy bear.
Did Mandy take the whip?
I’ll bet any money that Mandelson’s been on that horse too, you know. I mean the one the Met lent to Rebekah Brooks and which, I would guess, she now wishes she’d eaten in a bap. If there’s an influential horse near the centre of power, Mandelson’s bound to have had a go on it.
We now know the prime minister had a ride on it but Boris Johnson didn’t. Brooks probably feared the London mayor would make a pass at it. The Labour MP Chris Bryant, who recently took over the Most Hugely Irritating Person in the House of Commons sinecure, says “horsegate” shows Cameron was “too closely entwined” with News International.
You mean unlike new Labour, Bryant, you drongo?
The Labour leadership only stopped sucking up to the media mogul - after his stable of papers announced they would not be supporting the Labour party - in the 2010 general election.
Up till then Labour ministers including Gordon Brown the Prime Minister - were more than happy to have a close relationship with the Murdoch family - and not just the professional kind.
As we know now the wife of Gordon Brown - Sarah - invited the wife of Rupert Murdoch - Wendi - to a slumber party at the Prime Minister's weekend retreat, Chequers.
Now I've never been invited to a slumber party - but I imagine that not just anyone gets to go along with their pyjamas and teddy bear.
Did Mandy take the whip?
I’ll bet any money that Mandelson’s been on that horse too, you know. I mean the one the Met lent to Rebekah Brooks and which, I would guess, she now wishes she’d eaten in a bap. If there’s an influential horse near the centre of power, Mandelson’s bound to have had a go on it.
We now know the prime minister had a ride on it but Boris Johnson didn’t. Brooks probably feared the London mayor would make a pass at it. The Labour MP Chris Bryant, who recently took over the Most Hugely Irritating Person in the House of Commons sinecure, says “horsegate” shows Cameron was “too closely entwined” with News International.
You mean unlike new Labour, Bryant, you drongo?
Every Picture Tells A Story (14 August 2011)
Gordon Brown is a very peculiar person by all accounts.
A big man, physically speaking - with a huge intellect, strong moral compass and insatiable work ethic, someone who doesn't suffer fools gladly, but whose passion and commitment cannot be gainsaid.
Yet the other side of Gordon Brown is a man that lacks confidence, afraid of taking risks and showing leadership, who works best through a network of cronies and who makes a move only when the odds are stacked in his favour.
And it is the second side of Gordon Brown that has been on display during the phone hacking scandal, as it was during his three years Prime Minister.
Gordon Brown would have us believe that for many years he has been waging a secret war against News International, but the reality is that when the shooting started he was nowhere to be seen.
Because Gordon Brown only entered the field of battle once the outcome was clear, when no one was shooting back in anger and long after his 'enemies' had been routed.
The Times published the other day an illuminating 'diary' about Gordon Brown's contacts with News International both before and during his time as Prime Minister.
Starting in November 2006 when The Sun broke the news about Fraser Brown suffering from cystic fibrosis which brought his father to tears.
30 November 2006
The Sun breaks the news about Gordon Brown's son suffering from cystic fibrosis - the story was written by George Pascoe-Watson, the Sun's Political Editor - the Guardian lifts the copy and publishes the details as well.
13 June 2007
Gordon and Sarah Brown are guests of Rupert Murdoch at his annual summer party.
25 July 2007
Gordon Brown gives first highly prized interview as Prime Minister to no less than George Pascoe-Watson and The Sun.
6 and 7 October 2007
Rupert Murdoch is the guest of Gordon Brown at Chequers - the Prime Minister's country residence.
3 March 2008
Gordon and Sarah Brown invite Rebekah Wade (now Brooks), Sun Editor, to Downing Street for a lunch marking International Women's Day.
18 February 2008
Gordon Brown presents a Global Recognition Award to UK Armed Forces - at ceremony hosted by Rebekah Wade.
16 June 2008
Sarah Brown hosts a 'slumber party' at Chequers for 15 successful women - including Rupert Murdoch's wife - Wendi - and the media tycoon's daughter - Elizabeth.
15 June 2008
Rupert Murdoch is Gordon Brown's guest at Downing Street at an official dinner for George W Bush - US President at the time.
16 June 2008
Gordon Brown, Rebekah wade and Elizabeth Murdoch all go to Somerset House together - for Rupert Murdoch's annual summer party.
10 July 2008
Gordon Brown hosts a reception for a Sun backed Police Bravery Awards ceremony
27 July 2008
Sarah Brown Rebekah wade attend book launch together - Sarah brown is pictured with Rupert Murdoch's wife - Wendi.
13 June 2009
Gordon Brown and Rupert Murdoch attend the wedding party for Rebekah Brooks (nee Wade).
17 June 2009
Gordon Brown and Sarah Brown both attend Rupert Murdoch's summer party at the Oxo Tower in London.
17 July 2009
Gordon Brown hosts a Sun backed Police Bravery Awards ceremony - Sarah Brown presents the 'top award'.
29 September 2009
Gordon Brown fails to attend The Sun's party at the Labour party annual conference - after learning that The Sun would be abandoning its support for Labour at the next general election.
Every picture tells a story, as they say, and in this case it's the exact opposite of what Gordon Brown would have us all believe.
A big man, physically speaking - with a huge intellect, strong moral compass and insatiable work ethic, someone who doesn't suffer fools gladly, but whose passion and commitment cannot be gainsaid.
Yet the other side of Gordon Brown is a man that lacks confidence, afraid of taking risks and showing leadership, who works best through a network of cronies and who makes a move only when the odds are stacked in his favour.
And it is the second side of Gordon Brown that has been on display during the phone hacking scandal, as it was during his three years Prime Minister.
Gordon Brown would have us believe that for many years he has been waging a secret war against News International, but the reality is that when the shooting started he was nowhere to be seen.
Because Gordon Brown only entered the field of battle once the outcome was clear, when no one was shooting back in anger and long after his 'enemies' had been routed.
The Times published the other day an illuminating 'diary' about Gordon Brown's contacts with News International both before and during his time as Prime Minister.
Starting in November 2006 when The Sun broke the news about Fraser Brown suffering from cystic fibrosis which brought his father to tears.
30 November 2006
The Sun breaks the news about Gordon Brown's son suffering from cystic fibrosis - the story was written by George Pascoe-Watson, the Sun's Political Editor - the Guardian lifts the copy and publishes the details as well.
13 June 2007
Gordon and Sarah Brown are guests of Rupert Murdoch at his annual summer party.
25 July 2007
Gordon Brown gives first highly prized interview as Prime Minister to no less than George Pascoe-Watson and The Sun.
6 and 7 October 2007
Rupert Murdoch is the guest of Gordon Brown at Chequers - the Prime Minister's country residence.
3 March 2008
Gordon and Sarah Brown invite Rebekah Wade (now Brooks), Sun Editor, to Downing Street for a lunch marking International Women's Day.
18 February 2008
Gordon Brown presents a Global Recognition Award to UK Armed Forces - at ceremony hosted by Rebekah Wade.
16 June 2008
Sarah Brown hosts a 'slumber party' at Chequers for 15 successful women - including Rupert Murdoch's wife - Wendi - and the media tycoon's daughter - Elizabeth.
15 June 2008
Rupert Murdoch is Gordon Brown's guest at Downing Street at an official dinner for George W Bush - US President at the time.
16 June 2008
Gordon Brown, Rebekah wade and Elizabeth Murdoch all go to Somerset House together - for Rupert Murdoch's annual summer party.
10 July 2008
Gordon Brown hosts a reception for a Sun backed Police Bravery Awards ceremony
27 July 2008
Sarah Brown Rebekah wade attend book launch together - Sarah brown is pictured with Rupert Murdoch's wife - Wendi.
13 June 2009
Gordon Brown and Rupert Murdoch attend the wedding party for Rebekah Brooks (nee Wade).
17 June 2009
Gordon Brown and Sarah Brown both attend Rupert Murdoch's summer party at the Oxo Tower in London.
17 July 2009
Gordon Brown hosts a Sun backed Police Bravery Awards ceremony - Sarah Brown presents the 'top award'.
29 September 2009
Gordon Brown fails to attend The Sun's party at the Labour party annual conference - after learning that The Sun would be abandoning its support for Labour at the next general election.
Every picture tells a story, as they say, and in this case it's the exact opposite of what Gordon Brown would have us all believe.
