In 1993 a speech by Labour's shadow home secretary sought to stir the "sleeping conscience of the country" after the gruesome murder of James Bulger, a Liverpool toddler, by two young boys. It revived the language of morality-politics had for years dwelt dryly on economic efficiency-and served as the first thrust in Labour's long war to outflank the Conservatives on law and order. People began to whisper that Tony Blair, then not even the most acclaimed performer on the opposition front bench, was a future prime minister.
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