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Analysis: Prescott's problems
On the bus: John Prescott in the driving seat |
By BBC transport correspondent Tom Heap
Most polls put health and education near the top of the public's concerns. But transport is the one area of public policy with which nearly all off us come into contact every day.
Very few of us enjoy the experience - John Prescott's troubles stem from the government's failure to appreciate the scale of the transport problem.
Trying the bike lane |
The combination of Mr Prescott's presentational blunders and Downing Streets acute sensitivity to public discontent have led to the impression of chaos when most transport experts actually believe the policy is roughly on target.
The last 10 days illustrate the problem:
The RAC and the British Roads Federation go away pretty happy. But he could have done it weeks before at the time of the pre-Budget statement. Instead those weeks were full of headlines about "war on the motorist". So he ends up looking defensive and the papers scream "U-turn".
Labour's favoured mayoral candidate, Frank Dobson, would lose against Ken Livingstone if the government appeared to be favouring "Britain's most hated company".
Amid strong suspicion of Downing Street intervention, Mr Prescott left to pick up the pieces of his plans to get private money into the tube.
Getting into his car |
So there is plenty for the Tories to attack and the many Labour backbenchers are unhappy with plans to part privatise air traffic control, while the tube U-turn is still being digested.
The phrase "under siege" comes to mind.
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See also: |
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05 Dec 99 | UK Politics |
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Prescott: I will not quit |
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08 Dec 99 | UK Politics |
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Prescott's future in doubt |
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08 Dec 99 | UK Politics |
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Labour's beleaguered deputy |
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08 Dec 99 | UK Politics |
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Blair defends transport delivery |
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