What will be interesting is whether Johnson has missed his chance. He was touted as a candidate that would be a good neutral positive face in an election campaign. He would lessen the effects of a defeat. Now if Brown leads the Party into the next election, (and that is a big if), & a massive defeat follows, there will be a real feeling of civil war in the Party. Much as the Tories have witnessed in previous heavy election defeats to Tony Blair. Will the nice face of Johnson be enough? Milliband and Johnson could be tainted by their support of failed policies…you cant just shake the past and hit the reset button!

Over the coming months, maybe Purnell will use his leadership of this new Think Tank and build public exposure and hence be in an untainted and strong position…..a lot of if’s and buts !

Will be fun watching it though!

One aside here though. Us politicos can sometimes get carried away. When Purnell resigned, none of my non-political friends had heard of him and people like Miliband and Johnson have the bully pulpits of their respective offices to conduct their campaigns from. Most people don’t read the Guardian (unfortunately)!