Disintegration?

Over-dramatic, you think? Well, perhaps.

I suppose that it is a sign. A relatively anodyne, even platitudinous, article by in The Guardian by Mr Miliband has triggered the firestorm. And it is not just the media; 'friends' of Mr Brown and Mr Miliband are briefing and counterbriefing. The leadership of the Labour Party is clearly in play, despite the organisational obstacles to replacement. From now on, anything said by any member of the cabinet will be interpreted and analysed in terms of the leadership question.

Meanwhile the mini-me Scottish version of the leadership question wends its weary way from the starting gate down the first furlong. None of the nags looks impressive. Does it really matter who wins? The most significant development in the press today is the report that in last year's Scottish campaigns the SNP outspent Labour by more than two to one. How the mighty have fallen.

Is there a way back for Scottish Labour? Of course, but it will take time and a lot of hard work to re-build the party structure. And I am not sure that the party leadership has the capacity, the understanding or the will to do it. I hope I'm wrong ...