Page 4 - Through the Eye of a Needle

...'every waking moment had been bent to eliminating the challenges, making sure the vehicle was fit for the voyage, the engine sparking, the passengers either on board or shouting impatiently from behind us, not barring the way ahead.'

Who are the passengers? Ineffective members of the team? I don't think so, I think he is referring to us, the Labour voters! Whichever way you consider it, it's not a flattering description and suggests, in Blair's world view, something contractual, a rather vague and transient relationship. We are to be managed and herded onto the 'vehicle', an odd choice of word - very New Labour to not want to be too specific about what type of transport we'll get, although voyage does suggest a boat doesn't it, or at a push, maybe a camel? It would be appropriate as there is an old Middle East joke which says a camel is a horse designed by committee.

At least these passengers have got 'on board' and want to take 'A Journey' (a bit (New) laboured Tony). His full contempt is for the other 'passengers' who are left behind to shout impatiently but most importantly not block Blair's rise to power. Now, my first question is, can they be passengers if they are not on board? Do you become a passenger the moment you buy a ticket? Is it possible that they bought a ticket but became upset when they realised they were expected to take an alternative route to the one originally advertised (geddit? - painful isn't it?). Yes, I think Blair's greatest contempt is for the traditional Labour supporters and members. It leaves me with an image of Blair speeding away with those he has duped fading in his camel's rear view mirror.

It's at this point he begins to sound like a slightly manic evangelical preacher. 'Hadn't we fought a great campaign?' Well, yes. 'Hadn't we impaled our enemies on our bayonet like ripe fruit?' What bayonet? No, I don't think so and if you don't mind me saying so it's slightly disturbing to hear you speak like this. Enemy? Considering the campaign aimed to win over Tory voters, it seems a little strong, especially when 'enemy' was John Major - hardly an evil tyrant. Although, I suppose, by then the Tories were rotten and pretty inanimate. Perhaps he is referring to the old left wing of the Labour Party, that really had been a bloody rout. 'Hadn't our strategies, like something derived from destiny, scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts?' What? Now you really are scaring me. 'Derived from destiny'? Hadn't they been derived from opinion polls and focus groups in marginal Tory seats? 'Scattered the proud'? Neil Hamilton? 'Imagination of their hearts'.

If anyone has any idea what he is talking about, please let me know.