""Clarke, Hague, Letwin, Duncan Smith - to name 4""

Two thirds of labour positions were held by the old guard under Blair, but they still changed the way they functioned in the new circumstances.

Yet, knowing this, you feel qualified to predict the actions and intentions of the Tory "Old Guard", simply on the basis that they are not New Labour, and therefor cannot ever change.

Look again at the illogic of that POV.

Only with the passage of time, and the accumulated knowledge of what happens during that time, will you be justified in making the claims you so glibly spout after only seventeen days of the new government.

I don't believe that any of you have greater powers of telepathy or clairvoyance than I.

Which is to say none at all.

You don't believe they will, or can, change. That is an opinion, not a fact, and it carries no greater weight than my opinion that they can, and will.

Don T.