"Blair came to power back in 1997 by effectively signalling to the nation that he would govern the country over the heads of his Labour party, which everyone knew was an unelectable rabble. What is now clear is that, over the past nine years, that situation has not altered one iota. Blair has not changed his party. It has not become any more mature or less ideological. Just as he did in 1997, Blair continues to float above it as a disembodied political presence who was only ever tolerated because of his awesome gift in winning elections."