Reply #17: No one who could command similar respect. [View All]

[Taxloss]

Michael Meacher is a crackpot. Bomber Short is derided and hated across the spectrum for opportunism. Frank Field isn't interested, and besides he's a creepy authoritarian.

Do you know who that leaves? Stephen Byers. I never thought I'd say this, but Stephen Byers now possibly a potential source for coherent ex-Cabinet dissent. I only hope he completes what was beginning to look like a convincing Damascene Conversion.

And where the bloody hell is Harriet Harman?

Chris Smith is of course battling AIDS. And poor old Mo Mowlam is seriously ill as well.

I wonder how many American politicians have AIDS, or brain tumours, and carry on, and how many resign on political principle.