I rather like the idea of annual elections for the Shadow Cabinet.

And now this empowering annual event may go. The victim of a change to the PLP’s Standing Orders.

This is very bad news indeed.

When Labour is in Opposition who serves on the Shadow Cabinet is a matter for the PLP. When in Government, the Leader decides.

As a result, we had 13 years of nodding donkeys in the Cabinet (with a few honourable exceptions).

Margaret Beckett has drawn up proposals on behalf on a “working group” which will be voted on by the PLP next month.

Some of the proposals, if agreed, would dramatically increase the power of the Leader.

Is this really what we want?

When I was an MP I last voted for the “top team” in 1996. A lifetime - and many wars - ago.

Before he captured the Leadership Tony Blair bumped along at or near the bottom in the Shadow Cabinet elections.

But when he became Leader, the Cabinet became his fan club.

I recall Jack Straw telling a group of us over dinner what happened after he criticised, in Cabinet, Blair’s position on some issue.

Afterwards, Blair takes him to one side.

Jack, he says, I thought we were mates.

We are, says Jack. Loyally.

Well don’t take a different line from me in front of the Cabinet ever again, says Blair.

Today’s story in the Independent on Sunday talks dismissively of Clare Short and Gavin Strang.

Speaking personally, I'd rather have one Clare Short than, say, ten Geoff Hoons.

Anyway…. Why do we have this fetish about “strong” leaders? I much prefer collegiate leadership.

If the past is any guide, we shall elect a new Leader who will immediately want to stamp his (not her) authority on the Party.

Haven’t we had enough of all that?

We had one leader who thought he could walk on water and his successor was, frankly, dysfunctional. But they both were determined to make their mark early on.

Please. Not again.