April has unarguably been the cruellest month for Gordon Brown.
Consider the following, non-exhaustive, selection of horrors that the PM has endured over the last 30 days:
- The resignation of Damian McBride;
- The worst-received Budget of modern times, highlighting the bankruptcy of both the country and Labour’s claim to economic competence;
- The exoneration of Damian Green;
- The retreat from the “YouTube” plan for a flat per diem “signing-on” payment to MPs;
- The greatest Commons defeat of any government for 30 years, over the right of Gurkhas to settle in the UK;
- The lecture on economic prudence from the Polish Prime Minister (echoing last month’s similar lecture from the President of Chile);
- The U-turn over MPs’ second home allowances.
April, remember, was to be the month of Gordon’s apotheosis as host of a triumphant G20, the launchpad for the great fightback. But that seems a long time ago, and so it was; April Fool’s day, to be precise.
Since the G20, it has been downhill all the way for Gordon Brown. Almost visibly, authority has drained away from him. The clunking fist now holds no terror for his backbenchers, who yesterday flaunted their defiance over the Gurkha issue. His once-feared enforcers are now treated with open contempt.
Iain Dale today reports “a very reputable Parliamentary source” as claiming that “Gordon is hating being Prime Minister”. This is no surprise; as I observed last Saturday, it is written all over his face.
The talk in the Commons bars now revolves around (a) whether he can cling on until the general election and (b) if not, who is likely to want to take up the poisoned chalice after him.
Inevitably, comparisons with the end of the Major government are also being made. Perhaps Gordon Brown, too, will conclude that the best way to silence his detractors is by inviting them to put up or shut up.
On balance, however, knowing his aversion to anything remotely resembling a scrap, I think that rather unlikely.
And yet, it’s still better than a Tory alternative.
I agree the Tories and the return to Thatcherism or not, the welfare reforms that the Tories want to put forward, then again Labour followed Thatcherism and they have nobody else to blame, but whats gone wrong with Labour, well Brown is not a good leader, he of course cannot see this, sadly some people are great MP’s lousy Ministers, others are great ministers lousy MP’s, with Brown he might have been a great minister he is a lousy leader simple as that.
Term Report 2009 Gordon Brown
Tutors comments
Biology – Needs improvement. Must learn to differentiate his arse from his elbow = C
Chemistry – Are you kidding? Like we’d let this loony loose with chemicals = U
Drama Studies – Absolutely adorable, darling. His portrayal as The Jerk was a stunning triumph
– just couldn’t miss. It’s to die for, luvie = A
English – Unsatisfactory. But exhibits a breathtaking flair for fiction = B–
Geography – Won’t go back to Crewe and Nantwich in a hurry. East Glasgow remains a mystery. Enjoys travelling abroad, but finds the natives unwelcoming = C-
History – Gordon shows no sign of having an interest in what has gone before. Woeful on the Ghurkhas. Believes all historical disasters began in America = D
Mathematics – Gordon’s weakest subject, he is singularly unsuccessful. Has difficulty in distinguishing millions from billions = U
Media Studies – Gordon’s attempts at comedy attempt on YouTube proved successful. Shows promise for his grinning monkey performance = B+
Physical Education – Gordon has disappointed. Shows no interest in teamwork = C-
Religious Education – Very disturbing. The son of the Manse appears to have taken on himself the role of the Almighty = D-
Social Skills – Gordon had made many new friends at the beginning of this term. Sadly he has lost the blooming lot = F
General Attitude – Gordon and his gang, Damien McBride, Derek Draper and Ed Balls has become a disruptive influence upon the class, he is mocked by former friends and ignored by others. He has a temper (threw his Nokia phone and the class laser printer on the floor), does not take criticism and refuses to listen. Has a tendency to steal pocket money off others then immediately spend it. He’s been a very naughty boy. Thankfully he will be leaving school at the end of this term.
I predict he will announce, at some stage, that he will not seek to lead the Labour party into next election. Because, whilst he is undoubtedly a loser, he will not want to lose the election, which is virtually inevitable. The last person to accept a poison chalice was Alistair Darling, who will be the next I wonder?
Sadly a lot like major and a bit like Thatcher.
Having been born before the last world war and lived through the vagaries of the succesive governments I am truly saddened that anyone can defend this last one!
To think that a similar government could come near to being elected makes me very glad to be the age I am. There is no obvious evidence that these folk are capable of thinking anything through before instigating it. Hardly anything they have done has been ‘ fit for purpose’, having iether had a delayed implementation, with the effect that many many people missed out on the possible benefits, or totally unworkable once in operation.
It would be very interesting to learn just how much all these rushed through ( they have to have been so, else surely they could not have been implemented seriously!) schemes have cost the nation in hard cash. Added to the sale of the gold reserves it must be an enormous amount.