A contender?
- 28 Sep 06, 02:17 PM
Just how many times did John Reid say the word 'leadership' ? Again, and again, and again...
Of course, not in the context of leading the Labour Party - perish the thought - but rather leadership for the country, against the threat of terror. But he knew exactly how we'd interpret it. (Watch the speech - and draw your own conclusions - here.)
Let's be clear - John Reid doesn't want to declare, because he doesn't have to make up his mind over whether to run yet. What he wants is for us to declare for him. The media say he's a candidate, he then looks at the reaction within the party and in the polls, he hopes and prays that Gordon continues to have slightly tricky poll ratings, and then, in a few months' time, when the PM's announcement finally comes, he makes his decision.
And whether he runs for the leadership or not, the process is a warning to Gordon Brown - a message to keep Reid as home secretary.
There's a community of people in the Labour Party who believe the chancellor is unelectable, but unstoppable. Now, they have to make their minds up. Can they, and are they willing to, turn Gordon Brown into somebody who is electable - or can they stop him? In John Reid, they've found someone who they think might be able to do just that.
