PM in all but name
As author of a book about Gordon Brown, I have a nerdish knowledge of his relationship with the prime minister. And – except on one occasion in 2004 (when the PM wanted to announce an intention to resign at a later date) – the notion that the chancellor would ever deter Tony Blair from quitting is fanciful. However Gordon Brown would be nuts to want to enter 10 Downing Street just now.
Imagine becoming prime minister at the moment that the police investigation into the alleged sale of peerages was reaching some kind of climax. The thunder emanating from that black cloud is so loud that it would drown out any attempt by Brown to relaunch himself and rebrand the government.
Apart from anything else, the power of being head of the government seems to have largely shifted to him, even in the absence of the formal title: For John Reid to disclose that he discussed the problems at the Home Office with his supposed nemesis, as he did earlier this week, is a striking confirmation that Brown is PM in all but name.
In fact, given the troubled history of his relationship with Blair, what would be making Brown especially anxious right now is the thought that Blair could quit at the precise moment when it would be worst for Brown – which would be within days or weeks, rather than on the expected timetable of June or so.
That said, in his gripping interview with John Humphrys this morning, the prime minister more-or-less said he wouldn’t do that. But Blair conducted the interview as though it was a valediction. And for what it’s worth, Blair’s friends – as opposed to his “friends” – tell me they wish he’d stepped down already, for his own sake.
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is amusing to think of brown sweating at home, after all these years, wondering when the anvil is going to drop. he probably doesn't deserve to be in this situation.
I would think the worst time for Brown would be if Blair was to quit after Brown's economic stack of cards collapsed.
We should not be thinking about when it's the worst time for Brown personally to take over but instead when it's the worst time for the English to have Brown take over - the answer to that question is anytime, anytime and anytime.
why on earth shouldn't brown be PM of the UK? you english have ruled the rest of the UK for long enough..
Frank - if we still had a true United Kingdom I would have no problem with Brown, Reid etc. but since Scottish devolution things have changed. Brown does not now represent his own constituents on many issues (health, education etc.) and as PM he could introduce laws more effectively into England than into the country where he sits as MP. The constitution has changed except they pretend it has not. I have nothing but admiration for the Scott's but there is a fatal flaw in the constitution that leaves Scottish members of Westminster in a no win situation introducing laws directly in England that they could not get away with in Scotland.
Why does it matter than Gordon Brown is scottish? Does it matter that chief exec of Signet (the Uk's largest jeweller) is American. Basically the best man should get the job, unfortunately it's not Gordon Brown.
Frank, we currently have a Scottish PM. In fact the big three positions in the government are taking by Scots. And look at the mess they are making of things.
Witness the parallel with what happened in Canada after a decade of Liberal majority rule(Jean Chrétien and his finance minister Paul Martin). Like Gordon Brown, Paul Martin kept delivering sensible budgets and waiting for Jean Chrétien to leave. When he did leave finally, it was with a cloud over how money was spent/doled out during the Quebec referendum to Liberal party cronies. However much Paul Martin at that time protested that he had noting to do with the scandal, the Liberal party was damaged enough. Paul Martin struggled on as PM for a while until fresh elections and a fresh face from conservative alliance (Steven Harper) pushed him aside. We will see if Gordon Brown can see off Mr Cameron's challenge or the parallel with Canada continues.
Brown is unelectable and this is probably why Blair is hanging on. He (Brown) has ruined the economy and helped create the nanny state that should be anathema to all of us. The best option would be for him to take over now, hold a snap election and be defeated resoundingly.
email no. 5 states that Scottish Westminster MPs are in a 'no-win situation' !!! NONSENSE. Their constituencies have an MSP to do all the work and an MEP to represent something or other I know not what. Scottish Westminster MPs have no obvious duties or work which NEEDS to be done but get good salaries, enormous pensions and extravagant expenses. A no-win situation....I think not.
email no. 5 states that Scottish Westminster MPs are in a 'no-win situation' !!! NONSENSE. Their constituencies have an MSP to do all the work and an MEP to represent something or other I know not what. Scottish Westminster MPs have no obvious duties or work which NEEDS to be done but get good salaries, enormous pensions and extravagant expenses. A no-win situation....I think not.
As a Scot can I correct a misaprehension regarding the cost of the Hollyrood building as lots of my English friends seem to think that we are all daft having run up such a huge bill for it's building.I am informed that it's the BRITISH taxpayer who payed for this,NOT the Scots,so thank you most sincerely,folks !
Well I for one will not vote for the Labour Party if Gordon Brown is at the helm. I just hate his whole way of presentation and find it impossible to trust him. I have discussed him with my friends, they all feel the same.