-----Original Message-----
From:  Tom
 
Speaking of memories, does anyone remember that episode of 
the TV show 'Yes Minister', called 'Party Games'?  The 
unexpected resignation of the (British) PM prompted a race 
for the succession, and as Party Chairman, Jim Hacker emerged 
as the 'compromise candidate', jumped up from the pack, took 
the mark, and came back to earth as PM?

Nah.  NO WAY.  Julia Gillard is next in line.  It couldn't 
happen, not after the insulation row.  Could it?

No, it couldn't.  And in the Yes Minister show it was a case of Hacker
becoming PM not because he was in any way capable but because the public
service knew he was someone they would be able to dominate and control and
so pulled the strings to get him in the job.

Maybe 10 or 15 years down the track (though I doubt even that) but certainly
not for the next election.  PG hasn't been a particularly good minister
anyway (maybe he is like Jim Hacker after all), so I'm not sure I'd even
want him as PM (even though the current alternatives aren't all that
appealing either).


jeff...