poison polly

One thing I've noticed about the Labour leadership debate is that the people who talk most about the need to "draw the poison" from the Blair-Brown years are the people who are most obsessed with Blair and Brown and their generation. That's to say, the leftish intelligentsia of the Guardian and New Statesman. They just can't see past Blair et al, or their hatred of them. Here's how Polly Toynbee's piece today opens:

They just can't stop themselves, yesteryear headline addicts, locked in the old quarrels, oozing sectarian malice to their last gasp.

What's she so angry about? Some comments that Blair and Mandelson have made on the leadership race (second or third-hand reports of comments in the case of Blair, and rather mild ones from Mandelson). Isn't the party meant to be having a discussion about its future? But these contributions are enough to provoke a venomous, richly-imaged attack on both, especially Mandelson, who apparently has done nothing but damage to the Labour Party save for some fiddling with the logo during the Kinnock years:

Mandelson's book has been an occasion to reflect on the damage he has done to Labour over the years – far outweighing his early red rose rebranding that started the party on the road to electability. A sulphurous fascinator, the flick of his tail flavoured New Labour from the outset with a venality that seduced Blair, too.

Oh and here's what Mandelson actually said:

Ed Miliband would lead Labour into an “electoral cul-de-sac” by trying to wind back the clock to an era before Tony Blair, Lord Mandelson warned yesterday...Labour did not need a “preacher” as a leader, (said Mandelson) adding the party “is not a Church”.

I promise I haven't left out anything more sulphurous. Now I ask you, reading those comments and reading Toynbee, who would we say is oozing more sectarian malice? If Toynbee and co. had things in proportion they would treat Blair and Mandelson's comments as contributions to the debate, ignore or disagree with them, and move on. But they can't do that. Apparently, they don't even wish to have a debate. Toynbee closes her nasty little column with a call for these New Labour types to shut up:

David Miliband needs his break-free moment, when he gains the independence to tell Mandelson and Blair to shut up. He might reprise Clement Attlee's laconic put-down, "a period of silence on their part would be welcome". Or echo his younger brother who, asked if Mandelson would form part of his cabinet, replied sharply: "All of us believe in dignity in retirement".

Let me put it this way: what on earth gives Polly Toynbee the idea that she has more right to comment on the Labour leadership election than a former Labour leader and a former Labour minister?

UPDATE: Iain Martin has similar sentiments.

Comments

[ejoch]

I saw the Guardian headline today and had the thought that Mandelson must be doing something right if Toynbee is spitting venom. I don't know why so many people think the nutty right has a monopoly on the politics of hate- the nutty left is just as unpleasant.

[Bert]

Oh stop being such a big girls blouse and grow a pair. Politics isn't a game for whimpering sissies.

[Charlesbarry.wordpress.com]

Spot on, Iain. Toynbee was one of these people who wouldn't shut up about how good Blair/Labour was from 1995-2002, and from then onwards wouldn't shut up about how bad it was.

[Ian Leslie]

She also spent 2002-2007 talking about Gordon Brown would make a great Prime Minister, and 2008-2010 campaigning for his removal. Yet she betrays not a scintilla of self-doubt about her judgement this time around.

[Ian Leslie]

I assume Bert's comment is directed at Polly and her self-delusional whining about "sectarian malice".

[Doug Chaplin]

Can I congratulate you on the brilliant linguistic contortionism which has enabled you to use the words "Toynbee" and "proportion" in the same sentence?

[Lyle]

Yay, by drawing attention to Iain Martin's analysis, Marbury (an Ian with only one "i") has helped me extend the list of sane, interesting Iains I can tell my third son, an Iain (cursed with a second "i"), about someday. Unfortunately I've found more Ians than Iains with which, someday, to inspire my boy. So thanks for adding to the tally, Marbury. This Iain Martin bloke seems awright.

[new balance]

Very casual opened your blog, but let me not to die, because you let me enjoy the share many happy. I really like your articles, have good taste, and taste. I will continue to focus on your articles, remember many updated! Thank you, wish you happy!

[Mac keylogger]

This is my first time i visit here. I found interesting things to many in your blog, mostly to the debate.

[Houston Home Security]

Thank you and looking for more posts. I am really satisfied with this posting that you have given us. This is really a stupendous work done by you.