Breathtaking. I've just watched a rather intelligent item on Newsnight about Blair's predecessors as Labour PMs, and the crises they have had to face at the end of their period in office. Intelligent, that is, in all but one respect.

Amongst a range of sensible interviewees, to whom do you think they turned as the voice of the contemporary left; the internal Labour opposition to Blair? One of the trade union awkward squad? An MP such as Alan Simpson or Doug Henderson? Nope. Go on - have a guess.

George Galloway.

I happen to think that the Labour opponents of Blair are profoundly wrong. But they are entitled to their views, and any report on this subject should of course contain them. But not one of them, in the BBC's view, was worthy of a hearing. The only man who was - the only Labour opponent of Tony Blair to be interviewed - was George Galloway, the man who prostrated himself before Saddam and his money, and who is despised by almost the entire Labour Party, right and left, New Labour and Old Labour, lunatic and sensible alike.

To most people, George Galloway is beneath contempt. Not, however, to the BBC, where he is chosen to represent mainstream opinion. And I pay my license fee to fund the wages of such people.


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