Satirist and impressionist Rory Bremner has again turned his withering gaze on what he terms New Labour's cynicism and vindictiveness.
Bremner had previously wounded the Labour leadership with his television portrayals of the Prime Minister as the poodle of his press secretary, Mr Alistair Campbell.
Last night he penned a razorsharp critique describing New Labour as "institutionally cynical" for calling an election "a year early because they're worried about what could happen in the next 12 months".
For Tony Blair, he said, he had begun to believe the road to Hell was paved with good intentions. "But those good intentions, once frustrated, turn very quickly to authoritarian intolerance," he added.
Writing in the Evening Standard, Bremner said: "Labour's `inclusive' approach does not always extend to accepting democratic dissent. Remember the desperation to force Alun Michael on to the Welsh Assembly?
"Don't forget this is a government that would rather expel Ken Livingstone and paralyse discussion on transport in the capital than recognise the mayor's main, indeed to many his sole, mandate. This is beyond cynical: it is downright vindictive."
Bremner went on: "Don't judge us against perfection, says Tony. OK, but we at least hoped that they'd benefit from comparison with the Conservatives. As it is, we swapped [Neil] Hamilton for [Geoffrey] Robinson and [Lord Jeffrey] Archer for [Peter] Mandelson: from a dog with two dicks to a dick with two dogs."
Unsurprised at Mr Blair's desire to get out of Downing Street, Bremner concludes: "For a few weeks he can try to convince us he believes in change, investment and overdue reform to public services. For a few weeks he can maybe even convince himself. And those who vote for him must believe it, too: otherwise we're just watching the return of the campaign socialists."