Letter from London

There is an understandable stench of corruption in the air. It has nothing to do with illicit sex. Nor do any public monies seem to have passed into the wrong hands, let alone private funds into ministers' pockets. But Tony Blair's government is visibly degenerating. It is rotting from the top. Prime minister and shadow chancellor scarcely now even bother to conceal their differences.

It is falling apart at the bottom. Backbenchers flaunt their disloyalty. Vital legislation is threatened by open revolt. There is even a credible opposition to speak of. The Tories may still be weak. They certainly remain ...