The cabinet minister Peter Hain today lays out the price of support for Tony Blair over Iraq: a radical reshaping of New Labour after the looming Gulf war, with a much greater emphasis on the redistribution of wealth.
This guy can't be serious!
The Welsh secretary plays down talk of a massive Commons rebellion this week. In an interview with the Guardian, he says: "My instinct is that a lot of people who may still have big reservations about this course of action will not want to destabilise Tony Blair's authority at this critical moment." After the war is over, though, Mr Hain makes clear that the "trajectory of the government" will need to be changed in order to enthuse party activists. "We'll have to make it clearer that we are a party that believes in redistribution of wealth and income."
He's serious.
He suggests that part of the reason why so many Labour supporters are not backing Mr Blair over Iraq is that they have become disillusioned with the government. Mr Hain warns fellow ministers against "any triumphalism" after the war, and calls for "lines in the sand" with Washington over other issues, such as the Kyoto protocol.
Mr. Hain, you have no idea how quickly Tony is going to marginalize you after the war is over. |