Gordon Brown

[Babbler]

He reminds me of Paul Martin, Canada's 21st Prime Minster. Brown and Martin lost the party leadership to a rival who became Prime Minster, while they became Finance Minster/Chancellor of the Exchequer, and continue to plot to become Prime Minster. They were/will win at the leadership convention that remember/will resemble a coronation more than anything else.

If Brown follows the Martin path, expect a Labour minority, followed a Tory minority.

 

[Lambert Simnel]

Another champagne-quaffing pseudo-socialist ready to trade the lives of IRaqis in exchange for political payoff.

Good soundbite, but you don't really believe that, do you ? I mean, genuinely ?

C'mon, for a minute there I thought it was MT using your username...

 

[EdwardTking]

He doesn't seem to be very charismatic, compared to Blair.

Very true. And that is a good thing. Charismatic leaders are dangerous.

 

[nonconformist]

Good soundbite, but you don't really believe that, do you ? I mean, genuinely ?

C'mon, for a minute there I thought it was MT using your username...

Come on, the guy was opposed to the Iraq war, but happily toed the line to remain in good standing.

 

[scipian]

He seems fairly decent. Just has the bad luck (like Major) to follow the charismatic, controversial, out-of-favour PM who destines him for failure. Oh well. I wish him the best of luck.

BTW- I will admit that, not being British, I don't really know too much about him. All I know are that he worked wonders on the economy, was a good colleague of Blair, and seems like a fairly straight shooter (i.e., not dangerously charismatic and wily).

 

[StarWorms]

All I know are that he worked wonders on the economy

I'll assume you're being sarcastic

 

[scipian]

What do you mean? Britain's economy has done quite well. Has it not? Definitely better than France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Italy.

"The British economy has in recent years seen the longest period of sustained economic growth for more than 150 years, and is one of the strongest European Union economies in terms of inflation, interest rates and unemployment, all of which remain relatively low."

 

[-0blivion-]

Could have done without him selling most of our gold bullion for £4,000,000,000 less than he could have got.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

I don't know what to make of Gordon as yet. He appears to have all the relevant attributes for being a Prime Minister other than charisma. Much like Ming Charm has pretty much been the only thing to keep Blair in office these years. People hated the Iraq War and other policies but merely shook their fist at him before forgiving and re-electing him. I doubt Brown has the ability to maintain the Public's good feeling.

I hear that Brown's much of a 'dawdler' when making decisions and something of a control freak too. But if it's true that he's unlikely to be swayed by Pressure Groups like Blair was (the man who tried to please everyone all of the time) I think he'll make a better Prime Minister.

Provided Blair hasn't left him with an unsalvagable election run in.

Well let's start off with all that gold he sold. Way to lose the UK over £2 billion, Gordon!

Everyone makes mistakes But when one has big responsibilities, the mistakes are bigger too.

He doesn't seem to be very charismatic, compared to Blair.

Substance over style some would say.

He does have a badass last name however.

Gordon Brown texture like sun

I don't like him, mainly because I start singing the Stranglers whenever I hear his name... (thanks for that, PoL)

Oops Sorry

We over here loved Thatcher and Blair because they were such staunch American allies in times of war.

Which at the present time isn't going down well over here. Although, from what I read, Brown wouldn't have committed as many troops as Blair, Britian will be following the Americans for the foreseeable future.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

Come on, the guy was opposed to the Iraq war, but happily toed the line to remain in good standing.

There was a thing in the Times about 'Old Gordon' & 'New Gordon', it's like they are two seperate people.

 

[Mise]

What do you mean? Britain's economy has done quite well. Has it not? Definitely better than France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Italy.

"The British economy has in recent years seen the longest period of sustained economic growth for more than 150 years, and is one of the strongest European Union economies in terms of inflation, interest rates and unemployment, all of which remain relatively low."

What Brown himself had to do with that is somewhat debatable. I don't think he can take full credit for the UK's success. Cheap imports from China kept inflation low as wages rose and unemployment fell. In fact, the sentence you quoted mentions three factors, inflation, interest rates and unemployment, none of which were in Gordon Brown's control! (He handed over interest rate setting to the Bank of England when he took office in 1997.) Add to that that the Tories left them with very benign conditions, and it's hard to argue that Brown had a great deal to do with it.

I do agree though that he was a good Chancellor.

 

[ComradeDavo]

I don't know what to make of Gordon as yet. He appears to have all the relevant attributes for being a Prime Minister other than charisma. Much like Ming

The reason I like Ming is that he is brilliant at debating, and his arguments are always the most logical without needing to resort to mud slinging. I don't think Brown is as good as a debater as him.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

The reason I like Ming is that he is brilliant at debating, and his arguments are always the most logical without needing to resort to mud slinging. I don't think Brown is as good as a debater as him.

Nor do I and as luck would have it, I think Ming is more charismatic than Brown too. But you have to admit that people won't warm to Ming like they did with Blair. Ming's number 1 priority should be to ensure that people don't warm to Cameron in Blair's absence.

 

[ComradeDavo]

Nor do I and as luck would have it, I think Ming is more charismatic than Brown too. But you have to admit that people won't warm to Ming like they did with Blair. Ming's number 1 priority should be to ensure that people don't warm to Cameron in Blair's absence.

I agree, the Lib Dems should in general campaign harder against the Tories to stop people going to them....except obviously in areas where it's a Lib Dem vs Labour contest.

 

[DYNAMICS]

Mr. Brown is responsible for the economic growth of Britain and the high level of service sector paying jobs between 1997-2007. No doubt about his economic policy and his talent for managing the country’s finances. The current financial boom in London is his direct effect of relaxing tax on corporate business and leaving the bank of England to manage inflation.

Would he make a good Prime minister? no because he does not have the charisma or skills. i believe his strengths are in finance and commerce.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

No doubt about his economic policy and his talent for managing the country’s finances. The current financial boom in London is his direct effect of relaxing tax on corporate business and leaving the bank of England to manage inflation.

Like all good old socialists

 

[Bozo Erectus]

I saw his official announcement the other day, and man, it wasnt exactly a hair raising experience. He has virtually zero charisma, and isnt a very engaging speaker. In fact he seems nervous and fidgety. Most of the time he was speaking, he was making these strange hand motions on the podium. Looked like he was making matzahs while giving a press conference. Is he an able, competent and intelligent administrator? No doubt about it. My prediction: he'll go down as a great Chancellor, and a lousy PM.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

It's the locking thing he does with his jaw isn't it?

 

[Abaddon]

Tony had to go, brown will not be so fanatical about terror and withdrawing civil libertys, but i hope cameron gains power, and cuts back some of the noonsense labour have installed.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

It's the locking thing he does with his jaw isn't it?

The locking thing I dont recall, I havent seen him speak for an extended period many times, I'll look for it next time. In a way, he sort of reminded me of Hillary Clinton. Someone who can be coached to give a good speech, but has no real ability or natural talent for it. I could almost hear him thinking to himself "Im going to have to smile at the end of the next line...There, I did it...Oh I think I have to stop smiling now." and then the weird nervous hand movements. Its like he's measuring the papers in front of him. Also like Hillary Clinton, he's perpetually in the shadow of a gifted public speaker, in his case of course, Blair.