THE contrast between lately-departed Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears could not be more stark.
Ms Smith suffered from the publicity regarding her own expenses claims and decided to step down as far back as Easter.
Despite resigning, she still supports Gordon Brown – and despite her shortcomings it might be something of a redemption in the future.
Ms Blears’ desertion from the Cabinet on the eve of local and European elections was designed to inflict maximum damage on Mr Brown.
Unwilling to leave gracefully, or accept the Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle, she has shown herself to be a mean-minded, selfish individual whose stage-managed dramatic exit has devalued the role of women in today’s political arena.
She is the author of a book called The Politics of Decency.
Somehow I don’t think I will be asking the library to put this on the shelf.
Ian Sadler, Darlington.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here