Will this coming debate – for a party where Blair will no longer be the leader – materialise? Perhaps. Blair has certainly held so-called “consultations” and “conversations” before, but unfortunately these have been events where nobody has been asked and nobody’s voice has been listened to. This time there may indeed be a policy debate. And after that? The likely answer is probably nothing. If past record is anything to go by, Blair doesn’t see the usual sequential link between debate and a consequent democratic decision.

In the Prime Minister’s “democratic” regime, he takes the decisions . Debate is allowed, but never dictates outcomes. This is Blair’s very definition of strong leadership. This rather revamped notion of democratic debate also extends to the Commons. Yes, Blair promised MPs last week, there will be a debate on the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. But repeatedly asked if there would be a vote, he declined to put anything up that resembled an answer. The likelihood is, therefore, no vote.

[An article by the Sunday Herald. Read article]