Guardian columnist George Monbiot has posted a blistering attack on communities secretary and Salford MP Hazel Blears over here at Comment is Free. From what I’ve heard on the streets of Salford – mainly from people left behind under the city’s regeneration schemes – there will be many in the area who agree with him.

Monbiot is objecting to being called “cynical and corrosive” by Blears in an earlier article she wrote for the paper, in which she talked about how one needs guts to get anywhere in politics. So he’s looked back at her parliamentary voting record and policy statements. His conclusion – based on the fact Blears only ever votes with the government, no matter how contradictory it is being – is that she has only “courage of the sycophant, the courage to say yes.”

“It seems to me that someone of your principles would fit comfortably into almost any government. All regimes require people like you, who seem to be prepared to obey orders without question. Unwavering obedience guarantees success in any administration. It also guarantees collaboration in every atrocity in which a government might engage. The greatest thing we have to fear in politics is the cowardice of politicians,” he blasts.

It is furious stuff and has garnered a lot of comments underneath, the overwhelming marjority in agreement. I wouldn’t like to be at the receiving end of such vitriol but if you’re putting yourself up for this game I guess you have to be able to take it, as well as dish it out.