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.
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.
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