Express & Star comment: Tom Watson deserves to be an able deputy for Labour

We believe that a powerful voice in touch with the Black Country and at the forefront of British politics is long overdue.

But more than that, we believe the MP for West Bromwich East has proved himself more than worthy.

He is a principled politician prepared to speak truth to power from the back benches – be that the power of the government of the day or the Murdoch media empire.

If Mr Watson is indeed unveiled as deputy leader this weekend his first task will be to repair the divisions of a party torn apart by election failure.

Not even the most ardent Conservative should enjoy the unedifying spectacle of the Labour party's infighting.

A good government requires a strong opposition, one that is always credible and appears in itself a government in waiting, to hold it to account.

Labour, with its attentions turned firmly on its own ideals and power prospects, is not an opposition now.

We hope that Tom Watson injects it with some Black Country common sense, because Labour's greatest threat is not the Conservatives, but itself.