Blair may see off Kelly challenge but education cuts are just wrong

“STARING into the abyss.” It seems a very apocalyptic description for a political leader facing difficulty, but it is the phrase used by one of Tony Blair’s closest lieutenants to describe the situation he faces.

No doubt as you read this, you'll be bombarded by media reports about the likely outcome of his twin crises. By the end of the week, I wonder how much of a damp squib it will have turned out to be.

These twin crises both seem to be largely of his own making. But before I go into them, isn't it interesting that it seems to happen in a politician's life that "troubles come not in single spies but in battalions". For that reason, the great politicians need one quality above all others. Of course great politicians need character, intellect, vision, focus, determination, a streak of ruthlessness, an ability to communicate and to listen, a capacity to make firm decisions when they must. But above all, at moments like this, they need stamina. Indeed, I've often thought that perhaps it is the single personal characteristic that enables greatness.