Telegraph Leader, 8 September 2006
As for Mr Blair, there will be many who think he should be put out of his misery as quickly as possible. If he survives the Labour conference in Manchester this month – and it is a big "if", given the fevered condition of the party – he will then introduce a new legislative programme in the Queen's Speech which, on his own admission, he will not see through to the Statute Book. Is it really appropriate for the Queen to be involved in such a charade? The weakness of Mr Blair's position will become painfully apparent well before that. He travels to the Middle East this weekend on a "peace mission". What weight will Mr Blair's words carry now on the international stage when the world knows where the real power lies in the Labour Government?
Meanwhile, back at the ranch (Telegraph front page).
President George W Bush's spokesman, Tony Snow, emphasised Mr Bush's continued support for the Prime Minister. "Don't count Tony Blair out," said Mr Snow. "Tony and the president have a lot of work to do. He's still the Prime Minister of Great Britain, he's a valuable ally."
So, two lame ducks for the price of one?