LONDON -- The struggle for the succession to the premiership, when Tony Blair finally goes, is assuming all the qualities of a Shakespearean play.
Shakespeare wrote copiously about the bitter, and often bloody, disputes between rivals for the English throne, with weak kings being ousted by ambitious rivals, devious plots to seize the crown, and faction and treason in abundance.
Now the pattern is being re-enacted, complete with conspiracies, denials, opposing camps, vindictive personal attacks, dramatic entries and exits and all the other excitements to keep the audience at fever pitch. As so often, true life is outperforming the stage, as Blair's grasp on power weakens and the chief claimant to fill his role, Gordon Brown, gathers his troops and allies round him and prepares his bid for the crown.