“All political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure, because that is the nature of politics and of human affairs,” or so Enoch Powell’s famous maxim goes.

Powell’s own career, of course, foundered because of his fondness for the stentorious statement, and he over-did it here.

The truth is that most political lives end in failure, but some politicians manage to bow out with integrity and with their reputations intact – even if it may not seem so at the time.

Steve Bracks’ unexpected resignation this morning has naturally been linked to his son’s brush with a breathalyser.

Yet he leaves only seven months after a firm election win, leaving his successor with more than three years to consolidate their position.

Bracks was an accidental premier. After originally forming government with the support of a rag-tag bag of independents, Bracks has lead his party to a dominant position.

In contrast, the Victorian Liberals have never recovered from Jeff Kennett’s shock loss of 1999.

Bracks has provided solid, if not spectacular, government – but manage to offer glimpses of national leadership, such as his efforts earlier this year to put the next stage of economic reform on the agenda.

Unless there’s some hidden scandal lurking somewhere, history should be kind to him.

The contrast with John Howard is unavoidable. By making the decision to stay, the Prime Minister is not only risking his defeat. He is risking his legacy. But he is also risking more.

Steve Bracks has resigned for personal reasons, to take responsibility for his family. John Howard has refused to take responsibility for his party. He risks causing it enormous damage.

Judith Brett pointed out earlier this year the “deep disingenuousness” in Howard’s promise to stay in his job as long as his party wants him:

Taken at face value – and this is how Howard wants it taken – it disavows personal ambition and puts him at the service of the party and the nation. But it also says: If you want me to leave, you will have to throw me out.

The Liberal Party and his deputy have been too fearful to act. But they are also deeply fearful over what may happen if Howard leads them to defeat. As well they should be.

It will mean that for only the second time since federation, one party will be in power in Canberra and all the states and territories. It will mean that for the first time the Liberal Party will be in opposition everywhere.

The Labor Party faced this challenge back in 1969. Politics and, more importantly, party organisations were very different then.

John Howard not only risks ending his political career in failure. He risks crashing his party into the ground.