House Leader Robin Cook has taken a stance against Tony, in an issue which while a chimera, has the lead in the nations newscasts..or bulletins rather.. this morning.
Reform of the House of Lords is the issue, and it could lead, as Mr.Cook and some other noted Blairites take advantage of the free vote to adopt their own stance, to a minor schism in the party, and an 'humiliating' setback for the Prime Minister.
Now the reform of the House of Lords has some national political implications which should be noted, one being the appearance of a second elected House..Congress and the Senate.. creeping towards local autonomy..lurking Republicanism..
But the thought here is what Tony must be feeling these days.
While tying himself and the country to the American Cause with such a will, he has taken a step that will determine his Party's future. The military has been told to expect a three year occupation of Iraq, and that takes Tony into the next election.
He is leading the Party, albeit in a manner not unlike a farmer pulling an unsure bull, into international action that will see British involvement to the hilt.
This minor eruption within the Party loyal this morning might well be seen as a statement of defiance, a small swipe up the back of the head for their leader, lest Tony begin to believe himself those sound bites he's been spouting. It might also be seen as a demand that Tony take a step back, and forgetting the obsession with a page in history, look at what's being committed here.