Tony Blair has made more passionate speeches. And there have been plenty of times when the drama of the occasion had a greater intensity. But rarely has he made a speech that has had to work harder or prove more points than the one he delivered this week on welfare reform at London's Beveridge Hall. Following his declaration a fortnight ago (on the eve of a procedure to correct a heart flutter) that he intends to leave office only after serving a full third term, Mr Blair has to demonstrate he is both up to it and up for it. Were there to be the slightest doubt about either, political authority, being what it is, would leach inexorably and rapidly.
展开▼
