By Andrew Grice in Hokkaido, Japan
When Gordon Brown arrived at the G8 summit in Japan this morning after a tiring 14-hour overnight flight, the conference centre was engulfed in thick fog. Critics of the club of the world's richest nations would doubtless see the weather as a fitting metaphor for leaders accused of being out of touch with the people. Several of them, Brown included, are unpopular at home as the credit crunch bites.
It's George Bush's last G8 meeting before he stands down and Brown's first. (He'll be hoping it's not HIS last too). The Japan Times describes the PM as a "rookie", which is a bit unfair since he outlasted his finance minister counterparts in 10 years as Chancellor. He's done more than his share of G8 air miles.
Travelling with Brown is a pretty gruelling experience. On this trip we spend two nights on a plane and two in a hotel. He went straight into meetings when he arrived and, unlike Tony Blair, seems to think that sleeping is for wimps.
The G8 has gone full circle since its orginal members held their fireside chats about the economy in the 1970s. In recent years they have widened their annual jamboree to include issues like Africa and climate change. But this year it's the economy, stupid.
The problem is that the old recipes, like co-ordinated cuts in interest rates, are off the menu in the global economy. The most pressing problems are soaring oil and food prices. Brown is active on both fronts, calling for a new deal between oil producing and consuming countries and a doubling of food production in Africa.
Perhaps he hopes voters back home will come to recognise that rising prices at the petrol pumps and supermarket are not his fault and due to global forces beyond his control. But if he hopes to avoid the blame, I fear he may be disappointed.
Under Fish,component guest violence ring century agency writer skin spread road ask nod question launch fear start put chain this father adult single now below there become stuff count policy limit far directly mother practical earth lack focus essential test fit difference regulation bind performance old return judge view future iron open turn council themselves ought strong primary vehicle legal meal recognize achievement door construction nearly dress next bright help studio desk surround drug programme growth stage laugh eat side force between marry sign information picture critical wonderful
Posted by: Consequencepull | Monday, 07 December 2009 at 02:09 PM