Brown - delusional..?
Discussion
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/art...
To me that smacks of the last fading words of a tyrannical/dictatorial has-been. There are countless examples through history, those who refuse to move aside because they believe "they" are the only person who can do 'what's best'.
Sad, very sad. And very damaging.
To me that smacks of the last fading words of a tyrannical/dictatorial has-been. There are countless examples through history, those who refuse to move aside because they believe "they" are the only person who can do 'what's best'.
Sad, very sad. And very damaging.
I would characterise as "Increasingly desperate" - he knows there will be pressure for him to stand-aside if the polls this week are as disasterous for Labour as some polls are predicting. Expect him to announce a cabinet re-shuffle shortly; ostensibly to address the issues that brought about very poor poll results but in reality it will be a defensive move, ensuring any potential rivals are moved out and expect more red-to-the-core Brownite supporters to be brought in. At which point the Blairite/New Labour contingent will start sharpening their knives, leaking against him etc..
It's going to be messy.
It's going to be messy.
bluetone said:
I would characterise as "Increasingly desperate" - he knows there will be pressure for him to stand-aside if the polls this week are as disasterous for Labour as some polls are predicting. Expect him to announce a cabinet re-shuffle shortly; ostensibly to address the issues that brought about very poor poll results but in reality it will be a defensive move, ensuring any potential rivals are moved out and expect more red-to-the-core Brownite supporters to be brought in. At which point the Blairite/New Labour contingent will start sharpening their knives, leaking against him etc..
It's going to be messy.
I agree 100%.It's going to be messy.
Brown will not relinquish power until a metaphorical gun is held to his head. He schemed for ten years to get his hands on the premiership - he won't go without a very dirty fight.
I think there are already meetings going on behind closed doors between those who might oppose him. The calculation is a simple one - MP's want to hang on to their jobs. It is becoming very clear that Labour under Brown will suffer an election disaster as the public simply won't vote for him. The only (slim)chance of mitigating this is to remove Brown. A slim chance will be reckoned to be better than no chance.
I predict a very messy weekend and early part of next week in politics.
Of course the Conservatives and Lib Dems would want Brown to stay in place at this point...
Uncle Fester said:
Most Labour M.P.’s are certain the next General Election will prove a catastrophe for them.
Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
That is the most likely outcome of course but there will be some that figure with a shiney new leader and if the economy starts motoring again before the next election, that they may be in with a chance. (A week is a long time in politics etc etc..)Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
Uncle Fester said:
Most Labour M.P.’s are certain the next General Election will prove a catastrophe for them.
Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
Yep, they are not thinking of what's best for the country and their constituents; they are doing what's best (financially of course) for themselves. Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
chris watton said:
Uncle Fester said:
Most Labour M.P.’s are certain the next General Election will prove a catastrophe for them.
Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
Yep, they are not thinking of what's best for the country and their constituents; they are doing what's best (financially of course) for themselves. Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
They can have one more year in a cushy, well-paid job. The expenses policy and pension rigghts are generous and, if you leave at a general election, you get a tax-free "resettlement" grant. We are probably talking about £200K.
That's a lot of moolah to simply chuck away along with the toys out of the pram.
If Gordon threatens those benefits they will oust him for a certainty. If he delays and promises a new system for after the general election? They will stick with him.
My guess is the next election will be next May.
It remains to be seen whether or not the great British public will remain angry that long. I think they will to be honest. And may be more angry as a result.
The European election results are going to be interesting.
Delusional - right! but a very mild criticism.... the guy is blatantly power crazy.
The fact that he won't go until the gun is at his head will help to totally destroy the Labour party, something which the country should be grateful for, now and in the future....
Carry on deluding Winky..you're doing us all a favour... and when the time comes FFS take a bulet and save us your exorbitant pension...
The fact that he won't go until the gun is at his head will help to totally destroy the Labour party, something which the country should be grateful for, now and in the future....
Carry on deluding Winky..you're doing us all a favour... and when the time comes FFS take a bulet and save us your exorbitant pension...
hes like a communist leader, he will rule until he passes away...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/31/gor...
it wouldnt surprise me if their thinking of ways they can not ever have an election....
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/31/gor...
it wouldnt surprise me if their thinking of ways they can not ever have an election....
Mclovin said:
hes like a communist leader, he will rule until he passes away...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/31/gor...
it wouldnt surprise me if their thinking of ways they can not ever have an election....
Did anyone else notice the phrase;http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/31/gor...
it wouldnt surprise me if their thinking of ways they can not ever have an election....
"he would not rule out changing the electoral system" in the original posters article?
There's your answer right there, it actually made me shudder when I read that bit. I think it would be good to put a few quid on the fact that something happens to ensure Winky stays in power longer than he should.
Just watched an interview on Sky with him.
He has the capability to make me so angry!
Just the same old crap - he will not take one iota of responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses fault.
Kept saying - actually said it 3 times in a row - Getting on with the job.
NO, YOU'RE f
kING NOT - YOU'RE RUNING THE COUNTRY!
He has the capability to make me so angry!
Just the same old crap - he will not take one iota of responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses fault.
Kept saying - actually said it 3 times in a row - Getting on with the job.
NO, YOU'RE f
kING NOT - YOU'RE RUNING THE COUNTRY!
Uncle Fester said:
Most Labour M.P.’s are certain the next General Election will prove a catastrophe for them.
Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
Very good article by Michael Portillo in the ST yesterday.Forcing the election or a leadership challenge will only precipitate their own unemployment.
We can therefore expect Gordon to have their full, insincere support to the bitter end.
He believes that Labour have 1 chance. If they can see into the abyss after Thursdays elections a number of ministers should immediately resign citing Winkys leadership. Winky would have to call a leadership election. Alan Johnson could stand and would be a shoe in to win. He could then declare that there will be a general election within 100 days. Labour will get a bounce (even Winky got one when he became leader) and the polls would narrow sharply. The general election would then be a close run thing.
I think Portillo is right. The biggest drawback for Labour is Winkys leadership. It is also the Tory's best weapon. With Winky in place the Tories win - period. The above is Camerons nightmare scenario which is why I hope to God that Labour don't do it but if they did there is just a chance that the election would be a lot closer than people think. In fact for many Labour MP's their ONLY chance of surviving is to oust Winky now.
unrepentant said:
Very good article by Michael Portillo in the ST yesterday.
He believes that Labour have 1 chance. If they can see into the abyss after Thursdays elections a number of ministers should immediately resign citing Winkys leadership. Winky would have to call a leadership election. Alan Johnson could stand and would be a shoe in to win. He could then declare that there will be a general election within 100 days. Labour will get a bounce (even Winky got one when he became leader) and the polls would narrow sharply. The general election would then be a close run thing.
I think Portillo is right. The biggest drawback for Labour is Winkys leadership. It is also the Tory's best weapon. With Winky in place the Tories win - period. The above is Camerons nightmare scenario which is why I hope to God that Labour don't do it but if they did there is just a chance that the election would be a lot closer than people think. In fact for many Labour MP's their ONLY chance of surviving is to oust Winky now.
I think Portillo's analysis is well-judged. The problem Labour have is Winky; his absolute determination to hold on to power come hell or high water and his brutal/bullying style - I reckon he thinks he can turn it all around if only the economy would come back on track. He doesn't accepts his is unelectable. I have never seen a more classic case of someone in power being in Denial.He believes that Labour have 1 chance. If they can see into the abyss after Thursdays elections a number of ministers should immediately resign citing Winkys leadership. Winky would have to call a leadership election. Alan Johnson could stand and would be a shoe in to win. He could then declare that there will be a general election within 100 days. Labour will get a bounce (even Winky got one when he became leader) and the polls would narrow sharply. The general election would then be a close run thing.
I think Portillo is right. The biggest drawback for Labour is Winkys leadership. It is also the Tory's best weapon. With Winky in place the Tories win - period. The above is Camerons nightmare scenario which is why I hope to God that Labour don't do it but if they did there is just a chance that the election would be a lot closer than people think. In fact for many Labour MP's their ONLY chance of surviving is to oust Winky now.
Edited by bluetone on Monday 1st June 17:14
Couple of things
1. Labour can't shift leaders again without a general election, there would be a riot.
2. Brown is delusional, he actually still believes he is the best qualified person to run the country, hence his comments - "the british public expect me to carry on focusing on issues such as the recovery (haha) and reforming MPs expenses"
3. There is no detail on electoral reform , there is no way substantive changes can happen this side of a general election. I think the Lords would bury it or a committee, or it would get drowned in howls of outrage if the PM suddenly switched to a PR or similar system.
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