A Change of Attitude

Gordon and Harriet, Harriet and Gordon. North and South, Finance and Justice, Man and Woman, Not Tony Blair and Not Hazel Blears. As far as the jabbering classes (the Independent's leader writer, for instance) are concerned, this is the new archetypal Dream Ticket, unmatched in its archetypal tickety oneiricness until the next one comes along. Gordon is direct and insistent and promising and prioritising and refreshing and serving and dutiful and inclusive and responsible and open and even talked about values, which apparently is something Tony never quite dared. Harriet's election as deputy leader "brings a woman into the upper echelons of the party, but also of the country", which is clearly a Good Thing in itself if the shining examples of Margaret Beckett and Ruth Kelly are anything to go by. Harriet may also be "just what he needs to counter the woman-appeal of David Cameron", whatever that may mean.

Thanks to the estimable Justin, we are in a rather good position to hear just how much things are about to change, at least as regards such minor matters as concern for the state of reality and respect for the intelligence of those whom one asks only to serve.