We know from the recent autobiography of former Mirror editor Piers Morgan just how close Tony Blair likes to keep to Rupert Murdoch. So yesterday's warning from Murdoch's house journal, the Sun, that Blair and New Labour had not yet earned the endorsement of the influential red top would not have been utterly welcome in Downing Street.
Has Rupert really dropped one of his favourite playthings, or is he toying with Blair's emotions for some kind of third term concession? The truth may be more surprising and prosaic. It would seem that the Sun's mighty political editor Trevor Kavanagh has sniffed a change in the public mood, and is inclined to give the Conservatives a greater crack of the Sun's whip.
Meanwhile the FT is reporting (subscription required) that Rupert himself is still staunchly behind Blair. Not least, of course, because Murdoch takes a more global view and Blair's alliance with George Bush should not go unrewarded. So the Sun's wavering loyalty appears to be a compromise between the guvnor and his political attack dog.
As the Sun has not backed a loser in our memory, then it seems fair to guess that what the Sun Says will eventually be dictated by the likely winner. Also – in a straight fight, although we admire Trevor's pugnacious demeanour - we would still back Rupert.
