So, here we go again - Tony Blair had barely completed his final soliloquy when the spin masters were at it once more. And what an act that was - a quivering lip, a moist eye and hand on heart when affirming he had done what he thought was right.

Mind you, not a word about Iraq, sleaze or the fact many of his policies at home are in disarray.

He also failed to mention that he is likely to continue to engage in activities that will rob us of a referendum on Europe before he finally departs.

So as Tony Blair starts to take reluctant steps towards the exit, off stage there are sounds heralding the arrival of Gordon Brown, who like Macbeth has been prophesised to be king.

He has already received a makeover. Despite having imposed stealth taxes and failed to listen to good advice before destroying the pension schemes of thousands of pensioners - and creating conditions that have inevitably led to the growing housing affordability crisis - he is being portrayed as a leader of a party "humble" enough to know its place and to listen to the views of others.

In other words he will play a role almost the opposite of his predecessor, despite having backed him for ten years.

Clearly we are in for an intriguing performance in which, like the illfated Macbeth, Brown will have to overcome some of his kinsmen if he is to secure his future.

  • Neil Kelly, Tredcroft Road, Hove