Politicians are grabbing every opportunity to lay into each other at the moment, but usually they restrict themselves to having a go at the opposition.
At the Thames Gateway Forum this week, it seemed that rule was being stretched to breaking point.
Communities secretary John Denham used his speech to outline the achievements that have resulted from the Labour government’s investment in the gateway, before turning on the Conservatives.
‘The gateway is a stark reminder of the difference between this recession and previous recessions,’ he warned.
‘We are just determined not to repeat those mistakes. Mistakes our opposition would repeat if they were given the country. We have worked to protect those who are most vulnerable to the recession.’
He went on: ‘I don’t apologise for laying out a bit of a political agenda here today, because it is too important.’
However Lord Falconer, a former cabinet minister under Tony Blair, and now chair of the Thames Gateway London Partnership, seemed to feel a little differently.
‘From what I could hear when I went to the Tory party conference, what was being said there was that while there would be a forensic assessment of the various agencies in the Thames Gateway, they were as committed as we were,’ he said.
‘Whatever happens in May 2010, I think we will find that government continues to give the same commitment.’
Sadly Mr Denham had departed immediately after his speech, so we did not find out if he was reassured by Lord Falconer’s views.
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