Big Blunkett is, apparently, still hanging on in there. Despite opposition calls for his resignation he is insisting on waiting for the outcome of the inquiry into the allegations about abuse of power.
Whatever the rights and wrongs – and his attitudes in his personal life do, to some extent, reflect on his professionalism in public life – there comes a time when his position will be untenable.
The press will just keep on digging away and camping on his doorstep until they get what they want; Blunkett’s head on a platter. It is always the same. Evidence has nothing to do with it. Guilt or innocence is irrelevant. He is the story of the moment and the only thing that will make it go away is a resignation. Every cabinet minister in this predicament has eventually caved into the inevitable. Eventually, the Prime Minister will have no option but to ask for a resignation because the publicity is interfering with the governments’ ability to conduct its business.
Normally, I take the view that this is an indication of how sick our media is. I still take that view. On this occasion, however, there will be a side benefit. With Blunkett gone, some of the more extreme policies might be watered down or quietly disappear with a new hand at the tiller.
This cloud has a silver lining – even if not for David Blunkett.
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