Short calls on Blair to stand down
The former International Development Secretary has continued her attack on the Labour leadership, and called on Tony Blair to resign.
In an interview for GMTV’s Sunday Programme (to be broadcast this Sunday), she called on him to go, saying: “There’s two good years until the next election. We’ll see how this plays out. I think the best solution for Tony would be if he planned to move on before it gets ever nastier.”
Short again attacked the Prime Minister on his actions in regard to Iraq, saying: “I’m sure he’s convinced that what he did was right but I’m also sure that he fooled the country in a series of ways in a way that’s intolerable when it’s a matter of war and peace and human beings’ lives and the future of a country.”
She warned that Mr Blair was loosing touch with grassroots membership, and launched a stinging attack on his education and health policy. Specifically attacking plans for top up fees and Foundation Hospitals, she described them as ‘outrageous and absolutely crummy’ and a ‘complete mess’.
Though she attacked Mr Blair’s handling of the euro debate, she also denied that she plotting to allow Gordon Brown to take over the leadership.
She claimed that Mr Blair had manufactured a “great big division” with Number 11 and is trying to drive the UK into the single currency before the economy is ready.
“There is lots and lots of muttering going on because the trade unions are very unhappy, that partner of ours, and of course the degree of trust in the country has gone down remarkably,” she said.
However the Home Secretary has hit back at the accusations. In a statement Mr Blunkett said: “Clare Short is being typically self-indulgent.”
“It is important to get behind the Prime Minister and focus on the things that matter to people, like decent opportunities and economic prosperity.”
“I do not understand why people would plot to try to change the most successful leader in the Labour Party’s history.” he said.
