Watching the past few weeks’ speculation about an imminent leadership challenge to Gordon Brown intensify, then subside, then re-emerge I am left feeling deeply irritated with Labour politicians but more than that I am left somewhat frustrated with the political process.
To the generally disinterested public watching "loyal" ministers publicly standing by someone they clearly don't believe in privately is so damaging to the political process and the willingness of the public to engage seriously on substantive policy matters.
Why bother listening - politicians don't really tell us what they mean? At least when David Cairns MP resigned from the Government last week he did so because he could no longer say one thing in public and think the opposite in private - (i.e. the man had some integrity).
When watching Cabinet Minster after Cabinet Minster praising Gordon as "the best man for the tough job" I am left dumfounded. Twenty points behind in the polls for some considerable time and the startlingly obvious reality that Gordon Brown has completely lost the respect of the public I am left asking - why do politicians feel able to hold to such ridiculous expressions of "loyalty" when surely they have a bigger loyalty to their consciences, their common sense and above all the interests of the constituents they seek to represent?
My point is not about the substance of Brown's shortcomings - they are blindingly obvious - but the lack of honesty and straight-forwardness of politicians as they comment on them. The sight of individuals such as David Milliband, Jack Straw and Alan Johnson sat at the Conference clapping fulsomely, smiling warmly and gesturing positively to their beleaguered leader is odious- when behind his back they are plainly plotting and maneuvering to secure the crown themselves.
What we are seeing is another prolonged episode where politicians demonstrate that they are more in it for themselves than for the honorable notions they once entered Parliament - to make a difference to the communities they represent.
Let's hope when we enter Government our MPs will stand up for what they really believe in rather than subdue their consciences in order to win favor and move up the ladder. Collective responsibility for policy decisions taken after internal discussion is one thing but what is the point of holding a "high office" if you don't have the personal authority to make decisions and stand up for what you believe in and if the ultimate outcome is that the public don't believe a word you say anymore?