Turning in the road

Despite Downing Street denials, yesterday’s interventions by Jack Straw and John Hutton in the debate on Labour’s so-called “poll tax on wheels” have left most informed political commentators simply arguing over not if but when Gordon Brown will perform yet another U-turn.

As it stands, Vehicle Excise Duty is set to increase retrospectively on all cars bought before 2001.

Such a change would impact on 70 per cent of drivers in this country, each of whom would have to pay up to £245 extra a year to licence their cars.

The policy has been dressed up by Ministers as a “green tax.” But, amusingly, Greenpeace issued a statement describing it as “the kind of measure that gives green taxes a bad name.” You couldn’t make it up.

The U-turn, when it comes (and the smart money is on this autumn when the Chancellor delivers his Pre-Budget Report) will of course by driven (pardon the pun) by backbench Labour MPs in state of panic at the prospect of losing their seats.

It also seems likely that Alistair Darling will not now proceed with a 2p rise in fuel duty planned for October.

Prior to becoming Prime Minster, Gordon Brown was frequently described by his Labour Party admirers as an unrivalled political strategist.

But the last disastrous few weeks have seen any pretence at a Brown strategy for the future direction of this country – and, in particular, its finances – fly straight out the window.

As a result, the aforementioned political commentators are also agreed it is now a question of when not if Gordon Brown will be thrown out of Number Ten – and by whom.

Home Secretary takes a beating

You will probably be aware of Home Secretary Jacqui Smith’s uncomfortable ride at yesterday’s Police Federation annual conference.

Ms Smith was accused of a breach of faith for refusing to honour the police pay deal – something that would’ve cost the Government £30 million, a significant amount less than the £2.7 billion it committed itself to last week in an attempt to buy its way out of the 10p tax row.

However, what must’ve shocked the Home Secretary most was the sheer lack of respect shown to her in a room filled with 1,000 police officers. Police Federation Chair Jan Berry taunted her over her admission that she’d taken cannabis at university. “Your recent crimes have been more serious for the serious fraud office than the drug squad,” said Ms Berry.

And, whilst praising Jacqui Smith for having the guts to attend the conference, she added: “I am sure ... you [feel] like reaching for a stab proof vest and perhaps slipping into old habits and lighting up to calm your nerves.”

Then, after praising Children’s Secretary Ed Balls for accepting the independent recommendation on teachers’ pay (and praise is not something Ed Balls receives too often), Ms Berry continued: “So it suited Mr Balls to defend the teachers’ pay deal but it didn’t suit you to do the same for us. Home Secretary, what is it Mr Balls has but you do not?”

Ouch!

Senior Cabinet Ministers are traditionally treated with respect at conferences such as this, no matter who the post holder is. Delegates may not always agree with what is being said, but it’s rare for them to bite back so openly.

The incident is further proof, not that it’s needed, that the so-called “tipping point” in the life of this Labour Government has been reached.

It would be a surprise if this balance is not tilted significantly further against Ministers in general and Gordon Brown in particular by events in Crewe and Nantwich this evening.

The party's coming to an end

I tend not to follow Scottish politics too closely.

However, the public spat between Scottish Labour Leader Wendy Alexander and Prime Minister Gordon Brown is yet another example of the disarray that party is now in.

She has called for an immediate referendum on Scotland’s future place in the Union. He says she hasn’t.

She says he agrees with her “position.” But he says her position and his position – that everyone waits until a devolution review reports - are the same, which they clearly aren’t. (Apologies if I've lost you).

Even if a referendum was called - and this is now almost certain by 2010 at the latest – it is likely to be lost heavily by the nationalists.

But the current situation underlines yet again how much Gordon Brown’s power and authority have waned within his own ranks.

Wendy Alexander has long been regarded as one of the Prime Minister’s closest confidants - she has written many of his speeches on constitutional matters. And with closeness comes respect. Or, in their case, it did.

But, as with many of his Labour colleagues in Westminster, respect now seems to be draining away in his own former stronghold of Scotland. Otherwise, why would she have spoken out without proper consultation in the way she did?

It’s hard to imagine how political life can get much worse for the man.

Government right on cannabis

One of the most important aspects of being a “constructive Opposition” is having the confidence to say when the Government is right.

The decision to reclassify cannabis as a Class B drug - to be confirmed in the Commons later today – is such an instance.

The drug was downgraded to Class C when Tony Blair was Prime Minister. This was a foolish move and Gordon Brown is, for once, quite correct in performing a U-turn on behalf of the Labour Government.

The argument put forward is that he is worried about the use of “skunk,” a more lethal form of cannabis.

However, to my mind, the use of any illegal drugs is wrong and kids deserve as much protection as possible from them as the state can provide.

Opponents of the reclassification argue that the move will do little to deter people from smoking cannabis.

That’s as maybe, but surely it’s worth a try.

A humbling experience

Any politician standing for election who does not feel nervous before the count and humbled by a successful outcome is in the wrong business.

I can therefore confirm that I felt very nervous before the ballot boxes for my local council ward of Worth Valley were opened on Friday morning and both humbled and elated to find I’d gained 60% of the vote.

To those 2,475 residents who decided to place an X beside my name, I would like to say a huge thank you.

For those who didn’t, be assured I remain as committed as ever to providing everyone who lives in the most picturesque ward in the country with the best possible representation in the years ahead.