By popular demand, I return to the theme of (political) leadership. Two weeks ago, this column set out what seemed to be the seven classic leadership mistakes committed by Tony Blair, Britain’s outgoing prime minister. This analysis had such a devastating impact on his political fortunes that he immediately went on to win rapturous praise at the Labour party conference, his last-ever big speech being met with cries of “Don’t go, Tony!” and “Four more years!”
My criticism of Mr Blair also confirmed how bitterly divided public opinion can be these days. Responses to the piece ranged from ecstatic praise to extreme vituperation, with one emailer practically accusing me of being a member of al-Qaeda.
Nothing daunted, this column takes up the leadership challenge again this week, looking – as the Labour party urged voters at the last general election – forward, not back. Because however well Mr Blair may have gone down in Manchester last week, the fact is that he is on his way out. A new leader, almost certainly Gordon Brown, is going to replace him.
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