The frenzy over the Chancellor Alistair Darling's interview in The Guardian at the weekend raises some interesting questions about Gordon Brown's handling of such crises. Some Labour MPs believe he over-reacted by forcing Darling to make a semi-apology in follow-up interviews. Even if the Chancellor had unintentionally strayed over the government line by talking about arguably the worst economic crisis for 60 years, it might have been better for Brown allies to stress he was speakingh about global conditions, not those in Britain, rather than to rubbish him or suggest he might face the sack. The hostile reaction from some Brownites only fuelled the story. It won't make it any easier for Brown and Darling to put on a united front when they start to unveil measures to help people in the downturn tomorrow.
The pattern is familiar. There was a similar angry reaction by Brownites when the Foreign Secretary David Miliband put down a marker as a future Labour leadership contender in July, before cooler heads prevailed. Darling's "offence" was much less serious than Miliband's; no one would accuse the Chancellor of launching a leadership bid and it is odd to attack him for being honest with the public about the severity of the economic problems. Whatever Brown's private feelings, sometimes it would be better for him not to let his anger become public.
Mr Brown does what he does because he does not live in the real world. He is surrounded by sychophants who worry about their own futures and not those of the electorate.
Also Mr Brown is a bully, until someone stands up to him then he crumbles. He is all blather and no action.
Posted by: G P COOMBE | Monday, 01 September 2008 at 07:42 PM