Latham

Mark Latham's decision to publish the content of his diaries was always going to be an easy target for bagging. Now, I do believe that the timing of this release is horrible. Indeed, perhaps it is entirely unnecessary for this information to be out (at least to this large extent). But much of the content of the diaries (at least the parts released to us in the media already) is undeniably insightful, revealing and - be the allegations true or untrue - candid. But it not only reveals the internal, behind-closed-doors Labor system, it lets us know a lot about Latham and his psychology.

I have been struck, particularly by Friday night's Lateline interview, of just how surprisingly articulate Mark Latham is. He's an incredibly relaxed interviewee, and surely one of the more down-to-earth, 'Australian' politicians this country has had. What I refer to is his deliciously native phrases and vocabulary. And difficult to describe is just how clear and interpretable he is. What I'm getting to here is... From just observing Latham - his demeanour, his mannerisms, his general character - , I would struggle to call the content of The Latham Diaries fabricated. If indeed it is bull's dust, Mark Latham's imagination is alive and well.

As former Media Watch host, David Marr, acknowledged earlier today, a political revolution seemed to be on the horizon in the early months of Latham's Labor leadership. It was not until the "fateful" troops-out-by-Christmas policy was put forward that things started to go awry for Her Majesty's Opposition. Nevertheless, the fact that Latham had policies was a novel approach for modern Labor.

I suppose it is pointless to speculate on what sort of prime minister Latham might have made (besides, I devote all my energy to imagining an America under president-in-exile Al Gore). All the same, there have been many letters-to-the-editor attempting to use this latest saga as proof of exactly how Australia would have been with a Latham Government. But it cannot be denied just how fascinating a figure Mark Latham is. He was Opposition Leader for a comparatively brief period of time, and just look at the excitement and conversation he has stirred up (over six months after his resignation).

It is most probably a mistake to release these diaries now, unless, of course, Latham actually wants the Coalition to remain in government. So, as intriguing as this whole thing is, Labor doesn't really need it. And I want Labor back in government. Any time I start thinking that a conservative government is probably tolerable after all, Phil Ruddock quickly knocks some sense back into me.

I now await the Denton interview...
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Post-entry:

I watched what turned out to be a repeat of the Denton-Latham interview on Monday night. It was extremely interesting and, in fact, a bit of a must-see if you have been and plan to continue following the Latham saga (which, admittedly, will probably all be over next week). After seeing it, it appears that Mark Latham is not as emotionally stable or happy as he continually says he is. He has made the comment that Paul Keating's major problem is that he cannot let go of his election loss in 1996. I seem to think that Mr. Latham can't let go of his either. But this is just pure assumption. I actually think Latham comes across as a good guy, but I know a significant portion of the population would probably beg to differ. I'm glad that Latham finally cleared up the motivation behind that Howard handshake. Anyway, the interview was good. Andrew Denton is a great interviewer, and it's depressing that the series is over for the year.