The news tonight that the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alan Johnson has resigned from his post must come with deep sadness to anyone with an ounce of moral conscience and caring for their fellow human beings.
Johnson was never destined to be a great chancellor and at a political level, the Labour party will not regret his passing. However, at a personal level it would be hoped that every member, at whatever level, will tonight be wishing him and his family every good wish and prayer. No doubt the media will go out of their way to invade his privacy over the coming days and this writer wishes all his family well as they preapre to face this unfortunate onslaught.
But his departure is good news for the Labour party and his replacement, Ed Balls will undoubtedly give Osborne cause to be quaking in his boots tonight. Until now Cameron and Osborne have been able to rely on clichéd soundbites, deceit and a generally condescending attitude to barge their policies through.
They will not be so fortunate with Balls – he is a political bruiser. Now, Osborne is sufficiently talented to not be too concerned about that – but what will worry him is the fact that Balls has more knowledge and experience in his little finger than Osborne can muster throughout his entire political life.
Couple these two attributes together and you have grounds for the Tories to be worrying. The news this week that inflation could soar well above OBR forecasts, coupled with evidence that VAT is biting harder than the Tories had hoped will be pounced on by Balls.
His appointment as Shadow Chancellor is welcome news to those who have been opposed to Tory austerity measures. Osborne will need to be well-briefed if he is going to be able to have even half a chance of looking credible as a chancellor. Like the hunter he is, Balls already has Gove’s scalp under his belt. Now his eyes will be focused on Osborne.
Let the hunt begin.
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