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From tonight's express and star:
Sandwell MP Tom Watson, who yesterday resigned as Defence Minister after
calling for Prime Minister Tony Blair to resign, speaks exclusively to the
Express & Star and says why he took the action which led to him being
branded "disloyal, discourteous and wrong."
He said: "I knew writing to the Prime Minister to tell him it was time to
stand aside was a massive step. It was not something I did lightly.
"But I spent the Summer thinking long and hard about the position the
government is in and the best way of ensuring the Labour Party is able to
win a fourth term and continue to make the changes that have delivered so
much for people here in West Bromwich.
"Tony Blair has been a great leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister.
"I have supported him through thick and thin, just as I backed John Smith
and before him Neil Kinnock.
"I campaigned for his election as leader and fought alongside him to
modernise the Labour Party and ensure it took a sensible, moderate approach.
"I have always believed passionately in the same kind of modern, progressive,
electable Labour Party that Tony Blair and the mainstream of the Labour
Party did.
"I am very proud of the changes we have made since 1997 and since 2001 when I
was first elected.
"We've combined economic prosperity and social justice in a way previous
Labour governments could only have dreamed of.
"Look around West Bromwich. We've got new school buildings, more people than
ever before in work, more police on the street, help for families and people
at work with increases in child benefit and measures such as our tax
credits, Sure Start and the minimum wage.
"But there is no doubt we've got lots of work still to do to improve things
for people in the Black Country and elsewhere. How do we help first time
buyers and young couples buy their first home. Parents are working hard but
struggling to balance work and family life.
"Tackling poverty at home and abroad. Tackling terrorism, the scourge of
drugs and dealing with the youngsters who can make life a misery on our
estates. How do we tackle the skills shortages that are holding people back.
"Labour must win the next General Election so that they can meet the next set
of challenges.
"To allow the Tories back in would be, unforgivably, to fail in our duty to
the party and the country. It would be a disaster for the people I represent
here.
"But it is getting impossible to debate these issues and come up with the new
policies and ideas we need when the party and government are paralysed by
the uncertainty about when the Prime Minister is planning to stand down.
"On top of that we have to face up to the fact that there is a major problem
with trust. There can't be councillor of member in the Black Country who
hasn't experienced this.
"Winning back that trust of the British people is not impossible but will not
be easy and we need to start earning their respect and trust again now.
"Over the Summer I came to the difficult conclusion we could not do that
whilst Tony Blair remained in office. Arriving at that view was one of the
most difficult decisions I have ever had to make.
"Sadly, it became clear to me - as it is to the vast majority of my
colleagues and the British people - that without an urgent change in the
leadership of the party it becomes less likely that we will win that
election.
"But it would still have taken a massive event for me to call on the Prime
Minister to go.
"That happened last week when he did an interview for the Times and claimed -
and these were his words - that "probably the largest part" of the people
who are concerned about this situation want a "change of direction" is just
wrong.
"I do not want a change of direction. I want the government to be able to
carry on delivering the modern, sensible policies I have fought for all my
life.
"But when Tony claimed that people want a change of direction, he was
suggesting that the rest of the Labour Party can't be trusted to continue
with a New Labour approach after he has stood down. That is exactly what the
Tories want to claim and it just isn't true.
"It does great damage to the cause of winning the next election and electing
a fourth term Labour government to continue with the good work we have
pursued so far and make the changes that people here in West Bromwich and
across the country need to see.
"That is why I decided to sign the letter. I was asked by the Chief Whip to
remove my signature but I had thought long and hard about it before I added
my name.
"I hope people in West Bromwich and Wednesbury know me as someone who says
what he means and means what he says. That is why I had to leave the
government.
"I know some in Westminster are saying that the letter I signed and the
current crisis was a "coup" organised by Gordon Brown.
"People who say that are completely wrong. It could not be further from the
truth. I did not discuss any of this with Gordon and I am certain he would
have told me not to sign the letter if I had done.
"He has worked harder than anyone to unite the Labour Party and has told
people repeatedly to support the Prime Minister when he faced defeat and
could have been brought down.
"And look at the other names on that list and the others who resigned. They
have been some of Tony's strongest supporters," added the West Bromwich MP.
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September 7, 2006 4:04 PM | permalink
As I've commented on a previous post this is the point I, as someone who has never met you, believe that you did this for the right reasons - Labour must be able to continue, hopefully distance itself from the US somewhat, and concentrate on making Britain a prosperous and safe place for all it's inhabitants. The party cannot do this with Blair in charge.
Well done Tom.
September 7, 2006 4:50 PM | permalink
Considering you have just been told you are silly, immature and lacking intelligence by the Prime Minister, your humour seems to be holding up qute well.
I wonder who will be the last person in the UK to notice that Tony Blair is not infallible?
September 7, 2006 6:55 PM | permalink
You made the Washington Post, Tom. Including a jovial photo. I'll send you a clip.
September 7, 2006 10:49 PM | permalink
Labour must be able to continue, hopefully distance itself from the US somewhat, and concentrate on making Britain a prosperous and safe place for all it's inhabitants. The party cannot do this with Blair in charge
Surely the point is that Labour can't do this at all, Labour's policies over the last ten years have done nothing to promote prosperity or safety. It's a pity we'll have to wait three or four years for a change of government, but you've played your part in making the end result more likely, Tom, and you have my thanks for that.
September 9, 2006 9:11 PM | permalink
Tom,
thanks for the opportunity to comment on your recent actions.
"Balls of Steel" a previous contributor said. I'm sure you will agree that the guys you are, sorry, were, sending out to Iraq and Afghanistan are far more deserving of that epithet. In a week when dozens of these brave men gave their lives, you chose to blithely ignore their sacrifice, choosing instead to take the incredibly brave action of resigning your ministerial post. You are, sir, a complete and utter tosser. More "Thick as Pig Shit" than "Balls of Steel"
It comes as no surprise to learn that you come from the ranks of full time trade union officials. A more self serving and incompetent bunch it would be difficult to find. Or, indeed, a more corrupt or cowardly one in your unions case. (see www.amicus.cc.)
Far from securing a quick pre- christmas entry into number 10, the machinations of you and your fellow putschists will actually ensure that that sulking brooding hulk of animosity, our chancellor, will actually face a serious challenge for the leadership next June. Win or lose that race, GB has commited political suicide by his actions this week. His political demise will be long and extremely painful and I for one will enjoy every minute. When you head off back to your constituents, understand this They now know exactly what they have for a representative. Someone who is far more interested in political machinations than he is in the lives and deaths of those members of the armed forces for which he had a direct responsibility, up to his cowardly resignation.
"Balls of Steel" my arse, as we say up here.
Posted by tajblue at September 8, 2006 03:20 PM
September 7, 2006 3:32 PM | permalink
I will be honest he can stay or go, I'll never vote Labour again, and boy I voted Labour without thinking about it, Labour was my party, no more.