I was staggered last night by James Purnell’s performance on Newsnight. This was his first interview on the program since his resignation from the cabinet moments after the polls had closed on June the 4th. It appears that the former work and pensions secretary had not expected a barrage of questions on his decision toresign or his comments on the Premiership of Gordon Brown. It seems that he had instead hoped to drone on about the future of the ‘new left’ and how he thought everyone was bubbling with ideas. Sadly for Mr Purnell this is not what Kirsty Wark wanted to discuss.
After the fourth or fifth question on his resignation Purnell became rather annoyed and protested that he was under the impression that he would only have to answer two questions on his resignation. Unfortunately his attempt to subtly steer the discussion onto less interesting matters did not dent Miss Wark’s resolve. She pointed out, quite rightly I believe, that a cabinet minister’s decision to resign and publicly criticise the Prime Minister is something one should be held accountable for.
After a number of pathetic attempts to dodge the question he admitted he regretted what he had done and once again started to ramble on about the future of the Labour Party. At this Stage Miss Walk released her secret weapon; Roy Hattersley. Mr Hattersleyis the reddest of the old Labour dinosaurs and made it quite clear that he blamed New Labour and the Blair Years for every woe the country now contended with. Although he did not heap all of this at Mr Purnell’s door, he made it clear that he disapproved of his actions and his ideology – or apparent lack of it.
Mr Purnell said at one stage that he wished to be made to look “an absolute idiot” by a Labour victory. I fear however that for the time being he he will just have to settle for looking like an idiot. He can add the absolute after they lose the next election.
You can find the full interview here
