Time to go
So its Jack Dromey who turns out to be the People's Tribune this time. Not a quarter I expected it from.
The education bill is a red herring compared to this. If the current story about loans is true, and if the ordinary party machinery - Treasurer, NEC, full-time staff - did not know anything about it then the Prime Minister needs to go as soon as possible.
Even if he broke no laws, even if he broke no guidelines, even if there were no promises of peerages implied or inferred, even if he acted in good faith all the time, even if he does not understand why he has to go, he has to go. (And take Tessa Jowell with him)
Its a matter of capability. I want the Labour Party to win the next general election. I very very strongly want the Tories to lose it. I no longer think that Tony Blair is as capable of delivering that as others might be.
He has presided over what is undoubtedly the most successful ministry of my lifetime. He has his place in history. There is nothing he can now do to repair the damage done by the war on Iraq. Every week he stays makes his status and his reputation more ambiguous. He should cash in his chips and go, while he is still ahead of the game.
Ideally he'd have gone last year, perhaps announcing his resignation date at the annual Conference. If he stays beyond this autumn I will find it very hard to believe that he wishes to be succeeded by another Labour government with a Labour majority in Parliament.
Apres-moi le deluge? I hope not. He should go, he should go with dignity, and to do that he ought to go now.