What should one make of the possible return of Tony Blair to a position of influence in the Labour party (he has always been influential of course, but I am referring to the position of formal influence he has apparently been offered).
There are advantages - unique experience of winning elections, a huge and effective network, a charismatic ability to motivate people.
On the downside the Blair brand is associated in the popular mind with "duplicity". In my opinion it is not possible to change this perception. It might be possible to modify it to "wily ruthless competence to get things done" but that will require a skilled campaign.
There is also the issue of the Blair "package". Tony Blair will not re-enter politics as an individual but as a magnetic force that will attract (and no doubt repel) others. He cannot help but change the nature of the current Labour party as an institution.
Have we not been down this road before? When Gordon Brown brought Lord Mandelson back into government it was to bring some "magic stardust" to a lacklustre party image, and to bring a sense of competence to the organisation. Has the Mandelson come-back been analysed properly?
There are advantages - unique experience of winning elections, a huge and effective network, a charismatic ability to motivate people.
On the downside the Blair brand is associated in the popular mind with "duplicity". In my opinion it is not possible to change this perception. It might be possible to modify it to "wily ruthless competence to get things done" but that will require a skilled campaign.
There is also the issue of the Blair "package". Tony Blair will not re-enter politics as an individual but as a magnetic force that will attract (and no doubt repel) others. He cannot help but change the nature of the current Labour party as an institution.
Have we not been down this road before? When Gordon Brown brought Lord Mandelson back into government it was to bring some "magic stardust" to a lacklustre party image, and to bring a sense of competence to the organisation. Has the Mandelson come-back been analysed properly?
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