Is IDS finished?
As the inquiry into IDS begins attention turns to what this means for his political future.The BBC seems to think that if he is found guility his career as Tory leader is over, while if he is cleared it should enhance his standing among his MPs. This seems about right -- if he was to be barred from the Commons although it might make his performance as Tory leader somewhat better (no more PMQ disasters) it would be an odd situation, to say the least, for him to continue leading his party. There has been a debate about whether you could be PM from the Lords, but I've never seen one about whether you could be PM whilst being suspended from the Houses of Parliament. On the other hand if he is cleared outright then his critics look cowardly and mean.
However what happens if he is found guility to a lesser degree? This surely will finish him too. Now he has given up his claims to 'play the man not the ball' with his disgraceful conference speech, about all he has left is his reputation for honesty (which has already taken a few knocks, e.g his CV). Furthermore about the only coherent policy he can fight the election on is that he will spend 'taxpayers' money with more care than Mr Blair -- yet if these serious allegations are true we would have to conclude that IDS treats 'taxpayers' money with contempt.
I still think he is brilliant.
posted by Matthew @ 10/15/2003 09:40:00 AM
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