Five reasons why Brown is smiling

Brown isn't really smiling. The correct term is rictus!!!

Nick

"The new First Secretary of State has not won an argument for Gordon Brown. He won an argument against removing him."

Only in the Labour Party maybe, not in the electorate - who are totally excluded from having any say in this at all. We will all give our verdict on Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson at the ballot box when asked to in due course.

Stopping would-be rebels from moving forward with their agenda and "winning an argument" are not actually the same thing. The problem has not gone away. He is still there in Number 10.

Never mind the fact that Labour have totally lost support of the electorate - that doesn`t seem to matter anymore. All that matters anymore is how much longer Labour can hang on in there. What a cynical bunch of self serving individuals they have proven to be. No wonder people are so turned off politics nowadays.

I'm not sure why you are reporting the Downing Street line, Nick. Of course Brown was smiling. As you point out, the audience was hand-picked and whole event deliberately and very carefully organised and stage-managed to give that impression.

Face piles of trials with smiles is all part of the media management.

The issue which has split the Party is whether to stick with Brown and hope things will get better, or cut their losses, instal Johnson with the inevitable general election in the autumn.

Disastrous Euro polls, a PLP meeting tomorrow and a commons vote of no confidence - are you really that sure it's all plain sailing for Team Brown?

Meanwhile, as some political commentators including myself are pointing out, back in the real world, democracy has been dismantled while a squalid game of petty politics engulfs a fag-end government and people and parliament are left in limbo. Is that really something to smile about?

https://theorangepartyblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/democracy-on-hold.html

Nick. How can you tell if Brown is smiling or not? It is an involuntary facial expression of his that has no connection to current circumstances and is certainly not an indicator of his inner feelings.

Gordon Brown continues to hang on by his chewed off fingernails. It matters little that the Labour rebels are disorganised and disparate. It is The People who have given their verdict in The Local and Euro Elections and they cannot be dismissed so lightly.

Nick,
It is reported that 66% of Tory MPS have other jobs. ( One has up to ten ).Is it reasonable for taxpayers to claim that they are employers of these individuals? As an employer I expect, and my employees accept that it is wrong to work for someone else during agreed hours of work. Failure to comply would result in termination of employment. A parliamentary timetable should be drawn up to ensure that MPs are engaged in parliamentary or constituency work during certain times. At the next press conference would you ask the PM if he has any plans to introduce a system whereby taxpayers are guaranteed value for money from their elected representatives?

Those who apply Poweromics* often use 'threats' and 'fear' to control those who try to question them ... and Gordon & Mandy are clearly pulling out all the stops now !

They have used 'threats' and they are they're now trying to engender as much 'fear' as they can ... 'fear' that MP's will be even more humiliated and lose their lucrative jobs earlier as well too ...

What happened to the Seven Principles of Public Life ... Selflessness, Integrity, Leadership, Honesty, Openness, Objectivity, Accountability ...

They have clearly evaporated again - and we're seeing more Poweromics* at work again - just by labour backbenchers now ...

When will see a decision being made for the benefit of the 'people', and not based on their own personal self interest and gain?


David Clift, a Future 500 Leader

* Poweromics = People using position and power for their own personal gain, based on poor moral values, self interest and greed. Take a look at https://poweromics.blogspot.com for more information.

im no brown fan, but for godsake leave the bloke alone, hes a dead duck we know that,give the bloke a break, it was the media that made blair(the democratically elected leader)resign.Lets all look at the bbc ,im sure we soon find a few interesting facts no doubt.

Yip! Nick, as soon as you move into the real world of politics and policies GB shines head and shoulders above anyone else.

When you look at the national minimum wage, a properly invested health service, tax credit and family values, then it's clear the tories cant live with labour.

I do remain very concerned by the reaction of the local "hysteria" election and I certainly dont think England has become a one party right wing state.

but will he be smiling tomorrow? if labour comes fourth in euro elections he is dead in the water....mp's realise that with gordon the best they can hope in another 11 months of salary and expenses, then the dole.. with a new leader they get a chance to perhaps even win the next election...another five years of salary and expenses....

The simple truth of all this is that the tories have scored 38% of 35% of the electorate at a time when the Labour party is buffeted by the deepest recession in living memory and an unprecedented expenses scandal.

The Labour party doesnt need a new leader to pander to the political circus that is the 24hr news cycle and the westminster set.

It needs the right policies on the economy, health and education and for a large part in can define those under a Brown premiership.

I predict in 12 months time provided the spoilt brats on the backbenches hold their nerve the political scene will look much different and we will coem to understand why the opposition parties are calling so shrilly for an election now.

Nick, "Jon Cruddas says it would be "madness" to throw Gordon Brown overboard."

Everyone else can see the ship has already sunk! Not only did Brown hit an iceberg, he just kept on ramming it.

The crew are now up to their necks in water. Getting rid of the Captain now will make no difference. We need a new ship.

I'm not surprised that Caroline Flint has decided not to make a statement. After complaining about being used as 'window dressing', it's rather odd to see her posing for photos looking like a fashion model. Praising Brown while hoping for a promotion, then telling us what she really thinks when passed over makes her look very foolish and does the cause of women in Parliament no good at all.

Mandelson apparently plays down Hazel Blear's resignation saying there was no evidence of criticism of Gordon Brown. So, the 'lamentable failure' she spoke of was supposed to be a compliment?

The fact that James Purnell is apparently making no further comment does him credit and may well improve his standing should a vacancy arise in the future.

Brown has been very lucky with the lack of well organised or credible opponents. Those who have opposed him either look like they are having a hissy fit or thought they would be followed by more electable others.

Time is also on Gordon's side, probably best to let an election disaster happen, he falls on his sword Dave C inherits a mess and surprise, surprise has no policies. Gives time for a new (note lack of capital) Labour leader chance to reform a post Blair/Brown party and look to a better future.

Labour has run out of steam and they know it.

The problem with Labour is there is no-one in the parliamentary party that will lay down their career for the greater good of the country. Its plain to see that Parliament is paralysed by the events of the past weeks, but no-one has the guts to step forward and be the stalking horse.

Its unfortunate that Labour is full of avaricious incompetants that think more of their positions and careers than they do of serving the country.

Until someone has the guts to stand up to Mandleson (who seems to be orchestrating the whole "Gordon is getting on with it" policy)there won't be any movement.

Its sad to say that those at the top of the Labour party would rather see its complete and utter anihillation than risk their own necks.

Cowards the lot of them.

If Brown is so confident he is the right person to lead this country then he should appear on BBC Question Time, next Thursday. He could then answer questions to a genuine cross section of the country.
I have not seen or heard of him talking to anyone other than the press or a selected group of labour activists. How can he say he knows what the people of this country want him to do when he doesn't talk to them.

Get out of the bunker and into the high street if you dare!

7 bravesouter & 10 derekbarker

"ask the PM if he has any plans to introduce a system whereby taxpayers are guaranteed value for money from their elected representatives?"

"When you look at ....... a properly invested health service"

The comments above from you pair of New Labour fantastist trolls have actually come up with a decent idea between you !

Lets look at whether billions spent hosing down the NHS with money and PFI have been guarenteed value for money. Dead easy spending someone elses money, quite another getting value for money. And while you're mulling over this aspect of the NHS s[pending, you may as well consider the closure of the superb Royal Haslar Military Hospital in Gosport as well, which is another feature of the governments "head and shoulders above the rest" policy.

An investigation into value for money on government spending ! What a fantastic idea, though I don't think that "head and shoulders above the rest" Gordon will go for it.

Which part of labour losing 30-NIL to the tories in the local elections do you and your labour masters not understand, Nick?

Labour getting completely, totally and absolutely wiped out on Thursday is not a big enough hint? The tories nearly getting a total clean sweep, including taking control of councils in Labour heartlands and from labour's sidekicks in the Libdems still seems like a call for labour to carry on "getting on with the job?" eh? really?

Only a delusional mental case could think that labour being wiped out is a cry from the public for labour to "get on with the job"

On the contrary, the election results show that people are sickened with labour DOING their job of destroying our economy, politicising the police, opening the borders to all and sundry,
removing our liberties and freedoms (the same freedoms won by the sacrifice of the same brave young Men Brown hypocritically praised yesterday) and completing the sell-out and give-away of the UK to the profoundly anti-democratic EU.

These results can only mean one thing. The public are telling the whole labour party to go and GO NOW!

Brown asks, "What will people think if we just walked away?"

Well my very hard working family and I would be utterly delighted if they did just that, and let someone competent take over!

So, Gordon Brown, for the sake of the nation and for GOD'S SAKE JUST GO!!!

So, the strategy is for as long as the Labour Party hold on to Gordon Brown they hold on to their salaries, allowances, expenses, pensions etc etc etc, all being ripped dishonestly from the taxpayer.

It's a smart move. Of course, it has absolutely nothing to do with the (un)settled will of the majority of the population which wants a General Election now ... and everything to do with a bunch of shysters hanging on to their ill-gotten gains for as long as they possibly can. As a Government, the Labour Party is shot, spent, ended, finis, kaput, incompetent, useless ... choose your adjective. But "Hey," they say, "who cares? If we hang on to Gordon, we hang on to power and money ...", and that really is all that matters to today's political class.

Why else is Gordon Brown resolutely ignoring the opinion polls, the doorstep conversations, the free press, the blogosphere and, I imagine, the whispered words of Her Majesty The Queen? It's because he's the most arrogant, self-centred, deceitful and totally deluded individual ever to hold (illegitimately) the office of Prime Minister.

God give me strength.

Mr Robinson
I am intrigued to know why no-one, not you or Andrew Marr land any serious punches when interviewing either Gordon Brown or this morning, Peter Mandelson? Peter is obviously a very intelligent chap but WHY will no-one actually ask the pertinent (read as correctly worded) questions?

For example, even the Times mentioned the inaccuracies in Brown's responses in his news conference - they called them "Porkies". These are lies - why do you and your colleagues not see and expose this.

Someone, somewhere found out that Brown was going to remove Darling from the Chancellorship. Or they didn't.

If they did and Brown then denied this - he lied. If Mandelson also denied this despite knowing differently then he lied.

Does no-one have any honour here?

A "Porkie" or a lie?

Or did no-one actually say that Darling was for the chop?

Please please let us know the TRUTH.

Although Cameron is calling for an election - he's bluffing isn't he? Both Con and Lab would surely be hit badly from minority parties over the expenses scandal and the outcome would be extremely unpredictable. God forbid, we might end up with...democracy.

Why no results in UK?

because in UK, there is the biggest suprise of all.. G.Brown is finished.. and they are trying to circumvent these biggest failure in history not only for Labour, but EU as well.

EU elites dont know what to do. not only Brown, but EU elites as well.

@7 Bravesouter: "At the next press conference would you ask the PM if he has any plans to introduce a system whereby taxpayers are guaranteed value for money from their elected representatives?"
--------------------------------------------

Good ideam and add a clause in which ANY MP acting in direct opposition to the electorate and in a profoundly anti-democratic fashion by voting AGAINST their parties Manifesto commitments would be sacked from being an MP immediately?

There can be no worse value for money than an MP voting against the very manifesto promise upon which he or she was elected by the electorate. It's like hiring a builder to repair a hole in the roof, and they take the whole roof off instead!

IF there was any honour amongst the MP's in Government way most of the Labour Party (including all the cabinet, PM included) and all the Lib-dems would be gone for refusing to support a referendum, breaking any contract of trust between themselves and the electorate.

I hope that a change in the future would mean that a Manifesto would be legally considered to be a formal contract. Subject to all the normal contract laws. Labour's failure to grant us the referendum is Breach of Contract in my book, and so they became an illegitimate party and illegitimate Government as soon as they did this.

16 telecasterdave

He knows what the people want because Lord Mandelson told him!

I have said it before, that as a Tory voter I should not help the Labour party out. However, it is incredible that they cannot see that by hanging on until the last moment they are delaying the inevitable and will only make matter worse for them.

If I were a self serving, in it for what I can get out of it MP, knowing that my seat was likely to go at the next general election, I would be looking to go early and get my sticky fingers on the resettlement grant asap.

Please can we have an election so that we can have a Government with a mandate to govern.

Your devotion to your beloved leader is touching, Nick.

Sadly for you, the BBC, and labour, nobody believes your spin anymore.

The electorate are on the verge of rioting; if you don't see that now then you never will.

Did anybody really expect the turkeys to vote for Xmas ? To bring down this dreadful government for the good of the country and it's people would require Labour MPs to display courage and integrity, something which is sadly lacking in the breed. They will allow Brown to carry on, whatever the cost, because it is totally alien to the nature of socialism to have or to display any concern for the people. Socialism regards people much as a queen ant regards her workers, there to be exploited , supposedly for the good of the whole, but mostly for the good of the ruling few. This Labour government , like all that have gone before, have neither care nor any sort of regard for the workers of this country who finance their incompetence, and with any kind of luck they will be driven from office and hopefully reduced to political oblivion forever.

He is damaging his country by his irresponsable behaivour.
He cannt rule with 40 thieves.

Ali Baba and 40 thieves.

Go, NOW.

Nick, the only reason Brown is smiling is that once again his "fixers" have managed to stage manage an appearance for him in front of the fawning party faithful.

Even then not everyone is happy with him:

https://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/jun/07/kirsty-macneil-gordon-brown-email

Compare and contrast when he has to endure meeting the "real" public, as when he was roundly booed by Normandy veterans yesterday.

#19

"kaput"? for you it's all over! try and be a bit more colourful moraymint, that's just a plain useless rant that incites the hysterical.

Calm down!

Surely there is a sixth reason that Gordon Brown is smiling: he now has a very strong Cabinet team, having lost - for one reason or another - a lot of second-raters. This team has integrity and principles, experience and loyalty. Sure, Gordon lacks some of the qualities an ideal leader might have. But Mandelson's political instincts in these areas will supply the deficit. I predict the backbench revolt will swiftly collapse, no doubt much to the regret of the media that works so hard to stoke up conflict. Win or lose the next election, Labour this year will clean up Parliament and will continue to tackle the real crises, economic and climatic, that the country is facing.

Mandalson as president.

Looking ever closer as he now controls the labour agenda.

This isn't about the country its people or the Labour party and its members.

It is about keeping labour in power long enough to make sure the Lisbon treaty is ratified by the Irish people.

Power in a currupt and undemocratic European Commission is where he is most comfortable.

Sorry you labout MP's you've got a very short time before you blow yourselves and the country right out of the water.

He might be smiling - I'm not
His treatment of Darling was inexcusable and then the lie that he told that he no intention of ever removing him as Chancellor was brazen
I have to conclude that I could never be a politician - I don't seem to have the moral suppleness for the job..

I now understand why it was fine for Sir Alan Sugar to take a job with the Government whilst still working for the BBC.

After all, if the BBC's Chief Political Editor is so obviously biased towards Labour, what difference does the presenter of a Reality TV show make?

COME ON, NICK - report the truth, not the Brown Party Line.

the real crisis is these people who are a bunch of liars, thieves, and dictators.

bring in the police, and the justice system.
where are they?

I actually feel sorry for the british electorate, if you like me chatted to the great unwashed as to what their voting intentions were there were three schools of opinion

1. I am going to vote UKIP/BNP/Green as a protest vote
2. I am not going to bother voting that will show the corrupt politicians
3. I am going to vote Conservative/LibDem to give Brown and his corrupt cronies a kicking

The pity is that only tactic three has been picked up by the media and the other two aspects of the voters strategy has been ignored as it doesnt fit in with the picture the media have decided needs painting.

I suspect as the Euro results unfold they will be forced to acknowledge 1. as the BNP picks up its first MEPs (to our nations shame)

The large number of people who adopted strategy 2. will continue to be unheard I fear and that just goes to show positive apathy is not an effective way to register a protest.

Nick, are you for real?
So he has 5 reasons to smile eh? What about the millions of voters that are crying out for some leadership. I think he should be thinking about them and resign now.

I am not a Tory supporter, but if we carry on in the situation where we are Governed by fear of an election defeat then that will be most damaging for the country.

WE NEED LEADERSHIP NOW.

The thought of an dead duck prime minister without the power to act without the fear of a challange will leave the markets, the currency and investment in this country hugely vulnurable, but the results of Thursdays elections means that no Labour seat is safe and therefore no-one will want an election on their side, giving Brown and Mendelson the threat of a 'nuclear option'. In effect the results were too good for the Tories on Friday to be of benefit.

This is all truly dreadful. I listened to R4 at 1300 (World this Weekend) , to hear Tessa Jowell going on about how Labour had a mandate so they would carry on for another year blah blah blah...

Ms Jowell, if you are reading this, that mandate included the promise of a vote on the Lisbon Treaty. Now I may have dozed off but my recollection is that that vote was subsequently specifically denied to the electorate.

If you are going to claim you have a mandate, please stick to it. And while I think about it you didn't have a mandate to run the economy into the ground but you seem to have done it anyway.

Politicians, like terrorists, should be denied the oxygen of publicity. Not a scrap of intellectual integrity amongst the lot of them.

#20 Kellybasher
Didn't Gorden tell us he was being honest in his press conference on Friday?
Nah, I didn't believe him either......!!!

10. At 6:41pm on 07 Jun 2009, derekbarker wrote:
Yip! Nick, as soon as you move into the real world of politics and policies GB shines head and shoulders above anyone else.

==========================================================

So if then why did they need a handpicked audience today?

Oh of couse, otherwise gordon would have to listen to the electorate, and we can't have that can we. If the man is so fragile that he has to be protected from the public's view of him then he is in desperate need of help. I think a space in the priory has just come up.

#36

How can you speak of political or intellectual integrity when you bleat about a referendum on Lisbon, a treaty that would have reduced the polical deficit when what you clearly want is a referendum on leaving the EU ?

Come on man grow some balls and admit what your agenda really is.

30. At 7:34pm on 07 Jun 2009, newsmuse wrote:
Surely there is a sixth reason that Gordon Brown is smiling: he now has a very strong Cabinet team, having lost - for one reason or another - a lot of second-raters. This team has integrity and principles, experience and loyalty. Sure, Gordon lacks some of the qualities an ideal leader might have. But Mandelson's political instincts in these areas will supply the deficit. I predict the backbench revolt will swiftly collapse, no doubt much to the regret of the media that works so hard to stoke up conflict. Win or lose the next election, Labour this year will clean up Parliament and will continue to tackle the real crises, economic and climatic, that the country is facing.

==================================================================

I didn't think you could put the phrases 'gordon brown', 'peter mandelson' and 'integritiy' and 'principles' in the same paragraph.
Also do you believe that democracy was a good principle? It's not something very evident in gordons choice of appointments recently.

I am sick and tireed of being told "what the public want is me to get on with the job""I won't walk away" " I am the best man for the job" and other such.
Not to mention the " Party line " not to be deviated from while members of the media are within hearing distance.
Perhaps if they keep repeating the " Part Line" parrot fashion they will bore the population into submission.
GB was booed by veterans. GB called the beach " Obama". GB was frantic to be photographed with Obama.
The world press is rolling about laughing at us. Fox News had a field day .
And still we get the BBC giving it " best man for the job" No time for a novice" " global economic problems" and giving the GB and his unelected cohorts an easy ride.
An hours worth of free publicity for the arranged gathering this afternoon. Impartial ! Ha! ha! ha!
For shame!
I won't feel sorry for the BBC when the Tories come to power.

#39 sweetAnybody

Steady! stand still and try to focus. I understand your caught up in a trance but HEY! a spoonful of truth may help your sweetness.

It's not about TV and personalities, it's about people and policies.

Someone has referred to the dangers of regicide which again harks back to Oliver Cromwells burden.
Personal allowances first,The Party second and then`Parliament. When will somone recognise that there is an electorate representing a Nation out there?
Perhaps we can restate an earlier reference to 'events'as, 'priorities dear boys and girls, priorities.'

Derek, you think that the best man for the job is the same man that lead your party to a complete wipe-out in the local elections, eh?

I never knew you were really a tory. By all means keep him in place, and give the country the general election it is crying out for!

IF you are right, what are you afraid of? Put your arguments to the test in the court of public opinion. CALL FOR THE ELECTION.

Or are you a coward, like your leader, Brown?

The Labour Party are at a crossroads - they have to choose to continue to let the party be the vehicle by which Brown satisfies has lust for personal power, or they have to choose to revert to Labour beliefs and service to the ordinary men and women of this country.

Brown favours the rich and famous, and looks down on ordinary people. Why do I say that? Look at his most significant tax changes since becoming PM. The rich, such as private equity fund investors and property speculators, pay tax through capital gains tax, which Brown reduced from 40% to 18%. The poorest benefited from the 10p tax rate, which Brown scrapped for no obvious reason. (The reason he gave, that a third tax rate was too difficult or expensive to administer, was blown out of the water with the introduction of the ineffectual 50% band.)

These tax changes are more right wing than even Thatcher would have dared to introduce. Taxing the really rich at a LOWER rate than the ordinary worker? The Tories wouldn't let her get away with it. But that's what Brown has done. And that's why the decision for Labour MPs and supporters is clear - support Brown's lust for power, or support Labour principles. It's either one of the other. Do Labour MPs have the bottle to do what's right, rather than what's expedient? Unless they stick to their principles and vote for a leader acceptable to the electorate, they will regret it in the long run.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

"what the public want is me to get on with the job""I won't walk away" " I am the best man for the job"

The "public" are so desperate for the Great Leader & his Loyal labour troopers to remain in office- that they voted his party out of all English Constituences in Thursday's elections.

How on earth can we get the message through to this delusional lot?

#45

Fido! will you ever reach your purple patch moment?.

I suspect that the entire 700 and odd MEP's, await tonight's results with a sense of deflation it terms of general turnout.

What figure would you consider as a non-starter in terms of turnout and vote numbers?.

Im sure all the workers at LDV vans are not smiling like our glorious leader, who had a crisis meeting aimed at saving their jobs cancelled on friday, so slimy Brown could rush through his cabinet re-jig and save what little face he had left. Its disgusting that the job of goverment and running this great country is put on hold while a deperate unelected leader is not doing his job,just saving his own skin.

Hey, jimparlett - just who do you want to lead the Labour Party? Got a candidate in mind?

One hopes he is smiling with embarrasment - perhaps its wind. MPs shouldnt wait to see what the results are. To do so is to protect their own interest. Have the courage to serve the county's interest and not your own; the expenses scandal should have told you that. MPs should demand that he stands down. Otherwise what disaster awaits us next?

Common sense will out!Gordon will continue to assemble a "Continental"style Cabinet including faces popular amongst the electorate.The whole circus will chugg along nicely 'til next October.

#48 Hillwalker45

Do you endorse a one party right wing state?. Tell me? are those hills so high it effects the oxygen your brain receives.

What a pity that BBC journalists no longer have any academic or cultural depth. Brown's smile is exactly the same as Robert Peel's a hundred and fifty years ago which Disraeli described as: "His smile is like the silver fittings on a coffin".

43. At 8:03pm on 07 Jun 2009, derekbarker wrote:
#39 sweetAnybody

Steady! stand still and try to focus. I understand your caught up in a trance but HEY! a spoonful of truth may help your sweetness.

It's not about TV and personalities, it's about people and policies.

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If it's not about tv and personalities then why did gordon have his little meeting with people who'd only ask the right questions. If that isn't about tv and personalities then I don't know what is.

Perhaps, if its about people and policies, labour could listen to people, and give us the policies they promised - such as a referendum - no I thought not.

I'm not the one in a trance derek.

You must of seen something else, Nick. The only reason Brown appeared relaxed was because he knew he wasn't going to be sniped at and that the fawning imbeciles were going to lick his boots... tomorrow it will all change.

#34 sixth reason

of course they are full of integrity, blah blah look at Glenys Kinnocks record as an MEP she travelled (expenses paid) , more miles than any other MEP in 12 yrs, not on business for her constituents in Wales but on jollies to Africa, seychelles etc.
The only time she poked her nose into Welsh EU business was to decry the welsh language, thats the level of your new cabinet - more travellers on the Brown gravy train, propping up a PM who invoked the values of his church minister father then promptly lied. Impeach him if we could

#56 sweetAnybody

Lets hope you can stand steady and deliver a political point? if not! then "nil points" again for another rant sweety.

Derek, are you seriously suggesting that we should scrap elections because the turnout is so low?

You are showing all the other people on this forum, of all parties and none, how profoundly anti-democratic labour really are then.

Anti-democratic and profoundly cowardly.

The fact that Brown has to rely on the unelected Lords and cannot rely on elected members of his own party to keep his cabinet fully manned.

For him to rely on an unelected Lord, who has been forced to quit twice in disgrace, to keep him propped up in power says it all.

There is NO credibility in the Labour Party whatsoever!

Why is Labour talkign about "Having a debate about their leader". It has nothing to do with Labour but is something everybody should have a say in. At the moment he runs the country so it is for the country to say what they think about him. But of course they just have and he did not like the answer so is ignoring it (for a change).

Brown has always been unable to hear people being critical of any aspect of himself. Thus, the recent local elections are just outside the things he can hear as they spoke volumes on what the country thinks about him. They may have been for councils but everybody (including the Labour party) know what the result reflects.

In fact I doubt the expenses had very much to do with it. After all, it is the Conservatives who have the really embarassing ones (duck houses, moats, etc. and the Conservatives who have had loads of press coverage as they (husband and wife "team" cling on like grim death) - so the Conservatives should be affected more. Also, remember that only 4 Labour MPs have been sent to the "Star Chamber" thing so obviously not many of them have done wrong. Whilst people are talking about the expenses, they are concerned about the economy, their jobs, tax increases (no 10% band and new 50% band), ID cards, loss of freedoms, government wste, etc. and voted accordingly and Labour are just refusing to listen. Brown hates elections at the best of times but having just had one he does not even want to hear the results - so ploughs on determined to stay in power whatever the public think.

Apologies #34 should have read #30

5 reasons why Brown is smiling?

Surely, impartiality requires you to produce 5 reasons why Cameron is smiling, or 5 reasons why Brown is suffering?

But then impartiality would mean that the BBC doesn't broadcast Brown's speech to a hand-picked audience of supporters either.

SweetAnybody and purpleDogzzz, You both a bit confused as to the EU, whether it's a Ted Heath thing or a Thatcher thing I cant quite put my finger on it. Britain still maintains it's opt outs? or are you both secretly pushing for the single currency?.

# 29 derekbarker

No, not a rant. Just pointing out that Gordon Brown and the Labour Party are indulging in the most fantastic, cynical, undemocratic and undignified efforts to cling on to power. These people are lying to themselves, to each other and to the citizens of the UK for one reason and one reason only: to hold on to the trappings of power regardless of the wishes of the people or the damage being wrought to our economy in the short-term and to our society in the medium- to longer-term. They have lost all bearing on the realities of life beyond Westminster.

When, eventually, democracy prevails the Labour Party will be punched into oblivion by the electorate. It's time as a political party of socialism has been and gone: like all Labour governments, this one has not only run out of money it has damned-near bankrupted the nation. Gordon Brown has been the architect and master craftsman of the mother-of-all socio-economic disasters, as history will certainly show. Ironically, Brown is the antithesis of a true Brit and the local/European elections and the polls are showing that the Brits can't wait to kick his a**se out of office.

This isn't a rant: it's a set of blindingly obvious facts, supported by election and polling evidence. Pity Gordon Brown neither acknowledges nor understands either of them. He and his acolytes will pay the price. The Labour Party will never recover.

I watched (as much as I could stand of) the 'love-in'. It was toe curling.
I watched the Mandy and Marrs grinning routine. It was toe curling.
I even watched Alan Johnson defending (among other things) ID cards (It was in the Manifesto he said. What about school fields?) It was toe curling.
I shall be claiming for my next visit to the chiropodist on my exes.

It's important for us all to remember that under Brown's watch;

a) House prices went through the roof denying entry to the housing market for a large number of potential first time buyers.
c) Household debt reached record levels.
d) The trade deficit in good reached record levels
e) Manufacturing contracted considerably.
f) Large numbers of UK companies were bought out by overseas companies but not replaced because of the exceptionally low levels of risk equity capital.
g)Most of our utility companies are now foreign owned and some are owned by foreign govts through state owned or state controlled entities
h)Brown created the FSA and filled it with former City types who then failed miserably to properly monitor the activities of the major banks.

I mention all this and could mention a lot more just to remind everyone that whilst Labour party sycophants and Brown himself says he should be allowed to get on with the job of sorting out the economy it was his failure to do his job properly that led to the situation we're in now.

I hear him repeatedly claim that this is a global problem and I've heard him blame the USA in particular. It doesn't wash with me. He should have been aware of what was happening and "inoculated" the UK against the activity of the banks by regulating them properly, used interest rates to drive down house prices, prevented the sale of UK companies to overseas Govt owned companies and snuffed out hedge funds and private equity companies because they create nothing new.

He has to go. He's simply incompetent.

@ 57. At 8:31pm on 07 Jun 2009, WestOfEaling_Tiger wrote:
"You must of seen something else, Nick. The only reason Brown appeared relaxed was because he knew he wasn't going to be sniped at and that the fawning imbeciles were going to lick his boots... tomorrow it will all change."
---------------------------------------------

You are so correct. It says everything that Brown would rather face a hand-picked small room of fawning imbeciles lining up to get on TV sucking up to him, than face a room full of his own PLP members on TV.

Brown is a laughing stock now. No contrition for leading his party to the worst defeat in the parties HISTORY.

Yeah Derek, He is the best labour leader that the tories could want. He is benefiting the Tories, UKIP. Lib-dems and even the BNP!

The movement pushing for independent MP's love Brown at the moment. He is the best argument you can have for voting 'anyone but labour'

KEEP HIM IN POWER TO THE ELECTION, PLEASE!

We would love Gordon to do one thing he promised. Just one. That is to listen to the people FOR ONCE, and give them the election they are demanding!

#60 purple

Don't be so naive purple, politics is about the connections between the people and the candidates, the party and the policies.

What are the tory policies?.

54 Derek Barker

It is the likes of you who are destroying the labour party.

Your smug and illiterate comments are an insult to long time labour voters who have become so disillusioned with the poor calibre of members like you they are deserting in droves.

Let's hope there are still enough real labour MP's left to bite the bullet and accept that a general election even if lost is preferable to your ilk running the country into the ground.

At least it would give them time to regroup and give the people back the party they would be proud to vote for again.

Out wartime veterans booing Gordon Brown sums up the true feeling in the country. This is something that has never been known. Never forget that these brave veterans have children grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who are all voters. Some of them used to be your voters.

#64 derekbarker

Derek, whilst we are asking questions, what happened to the 5% poll lead for Labour that you promised us in February?

The really frustrating thing about all this are claims of "What the Public Want". So now we have Conservative Party public who want one thing, LibDem Party public want another, UKIP another, BNP another. And if that was not enough we now have 2 sets of publics in Labor, one pro Gordon Brown asking us to focus on the issues, and yet another asking for change of leadership. How many publics do we have in this country and do any of these views really represent the majority. The only democratic way out of this mess is an early election. That is where the buck should stop, not the tit-for-tat interviews we are seeing/listening to on the media. Also political/constitutional reform is fundamental if we are to clean up the system, in addition to reviewing the role of the media and the boundaries that should regulate its coverage on such critical matters that relate to national interest.

#65 moraymint

Your sense of democracy seems childish, look it's not some small soldier crusade your on! is it? anyway minty your sucking the life out of aggressive politics, aren't you!.

Just as I thought, Derek cannot answer a plain question. He goes off and answers the question he believes he has been asked.

Pure delusion. The labour party has lost the support of the British people, they are reviled and hated nationwide.

SO come on, if you are correct in your assertion about Brown, why will you NOT call for a GENERAL election to be held before the autumn?

Answer that!

OR, Anwer this. What is it in the ability to "lead" your party to the worst defeat in Labour's history, a total, absolute and complete wipe-out, a total rejection by the voters, a complete repudiation of everything YOU have said, that gives you cause to believe that Brown is a competent person to lead the labour party?

30 - NIL to the tories, and you think that shows that the voters want MORE of brown?

30-NIL is a massive cry for an election so that we can all REJECT labour in record numbers, surely?

I cannot understand why anyone on here would think that the BBC, or Sky for that matter, were pro Brown.I found myself watching the news channel 503 on friday afternoon and the more I watched the more I couldn't bring myself to turn it off.
One by one the beeb managed to drag up all sorts of malcontents to slag off Gordon.The irony was,none of them were Tories.
I am ashamed to say that one of them was Mark Fisher,my local MP.He has been for 25years.
25years ago Stoke had a thriving pottery industry,local mines,a massive Michelin factory and countless engineering companies.Now it is second or third ,i'm not certain ,in the government shithole league.

Where, in their selve congratulatory back slapping in giving Our Glorious Leader another day at No10, was their heartfelt consideration of what is best for the Country?

What a bunch of total and utter ...(insert expletive of one own's choosing ... I can't because it will get censored ...sorry, I mean moderated).

#70

Come on silverlady, let me take your hand and guide you to a better prospective.

#71 yellowbelly

Hello there! you've been making some good left of the centre political points recently, surely, you wont vote for a conservative?.

59. At 8:36pm on 07 Jun 2009, derekbarker wrote:
#56 sweetAnybody

Lets hope you can stand steady and deliver a political point? if not! then "nil points" again for another rant sweety.

=================================================

I did derek - something you've failed to do. But then I guess we should expect you to be a little 'angsty', your precious labour government have shown us all exactly how useless they really are.

Don't you feel a little let down that a government who stand behind 'helping the weakest' don't seem to include themselves when it comes to paying the tax that helps them?

I guess everyone is equal - except them. Doesn't the hypnocracy of it all make you just a tad angry?

Just seen some amazing scenes in Manchester.

People clashing with police. People who want to stop people counting the BNP's votes.

Got me to thinking...

Who are the real fascists? Those standing for election and respecting the democratic will of the people? Or the people with banners demanding a democratic vote count be stopped?

The Police MUST stop the REAL anti-democratic fascists!

Mandy's "case" is rubbish. There's no reason why a new leader would have to call an immediate election any more than Gordon Brown did. S/he could wait till the honeymoon effect has peaked and then call it (and not bottle out...)

69. At 8:49pm on 07 Jun 2009, derekbarker wrote:
#60 purple

Don't be so naive purple, politics is about the connections between the people and the candidates, the party and the policies.

What are the tory policies?.

===============================================================

Where's labours connection with the people? The people gave their verdict on thursday, but gordon is continuing with his fingers in his ears.
As to tory policies, I assume you only want the ones that labour haven't stolen?

hi he might survive this!! but the dye is cast and leopolds dont change there spots , he will limp on with the eyes off march behind him on the benches and camoron smiling across the commons floor

"69. At 8:49pm on 07 Jun 2009, derekbarker wrote:

#60 purple

Don't be so naive purple, politics is about the connections between the people and the candidates, the party and the policies.

What are the tory policies?. "

Call for an election and FIND OUT! However, if you have a brain to engage, try reading any of Cameron's policy statements in his speeches.

It is rich for a labour supporter to have the gall to mention the "D" word at all. Labour are profoundly anti-democratic and regularly enact policy in direct contravention of their manifesto and the wishes of the British People.

They do NOT listen to the people and are now clearly showing advanced signs of clinical insanity. We cry out for an election by voting labour into an absolute wipe out, and Brown believes that RECORD rejection is, somehow, people calling for him to get on with the Job!

The ONLY job the people want Brown to do, is to see the Queen to ask respectfully for her to dissolve Parliament to allow a General election to take place.

#78 sweetAnybody

Stop being so personal and try to add a political point to your posts.

Look, the conservatives and the lib/dems didn't escape for the expenses scandal.

Then again today, who do they drag on to give Gordon the bum's rush?
Tony's best friend in all the world Charley Falconer.
The same Charley Falconer that was considered by many to be responsible for the Millennium Dome fiasco,he refused to resign after many thought he should.
He was rewarded by Tony with a grace and favour apartment worth £200,000 ,despite being made of houses to the tune of £4,000,000 at the time.
Along comes Gordon and kicks Charley out.Upset by this and the amount offered to him in a pension threatens to sue Gordon for a six figure sum.

"3. At 8:55pm on 07 Jun 2009, derekbarker wrote:

#65 moraymint

Your sense of democracy seems childish"
-------------------------------------------

Derek, your sense of Democracy is a sick joke! it is the antithesis of Democracy.

If you value democracy, Derek, CALL FOR A GENERAL ELECTION!

GO and call for a general election!

5 reasons for George Brown to be smiling? Can't wait for your blog on Labour's poor showing in the Euro elections. 5 more reasons for GB to be smiling - after all it could have been worse. What a strange Orwellian world the BBC's journalists seem to inhabit.

#74

Careful purple, your 30 nil has ring tones of real fascist intent.

Another one party state believer purple?.

It's obvious that Labour MPs are not going to ditch Brown now, as that would lead to annihilation - they'll hang on to their salaries and allowances to the last possible moment. But they have a problem - the Autumn Budget Statement. Then they will have to explain how they would pay off the trillion-pound debt with which they have lumbered us (and our children). This 'recovery' is an artifact of their policy of hosing the economy down with funny money, but private sector tax-payers and foreign purchasers of bonds are getting worried. I don't expect the BBC to draw our attention to this, but others will.

#83

Cameron and his 20Bn cuts to public services in a sever recession.

O' purple, come on, wait and see? what kind of inane answer is that.

#86

Look purple, please try and be civil, we can disagree and argue the point through the text without resorting to innuendo.

#56 and #59 derekbarker - can you please answer the question - not doing so makes you appear like a member of the government!! (Sorry)

In case you've forgotten the question was:

"If it's not about tv and personalities then why did Gordon have his little meeting with people who'd only ask the right questions?"

dear rednick,
the funniest thing on tv this morning was some comments that alan sugar could be removed from his apprentice programme to maintain the bbc,s impartiality! how could there be a problem for the bbc whenever all their political correspondents are left leaning.
Hoping for a conservative government with enough guts to tackle the bbc and purge it of its socialist core.

No17Srictlypickled.
My friend has just reminded me that only a fool could possibly think I was a supporter of the governing party.Most people from the area I come from have a common understanding of what it means to be pickled.

84. At 9:11pm on 07 Jun 2009, derekbarker wrote:
#78 sweetAnybody

Stop being so personal and try to add a political point to your posts.

Look, the conservatives and the lib/dems didn't escape for the expenses scandal.

==========================================================

You're right Derek, Labour were not the only party hit, and we should be disgusted by all of them.

Labour just happen to be the ones who used taxpayers money to pay for accountants to help them avoid paying tax. All the while promoting social justice, while saying the tories would only help the rich. Is that not hypocritical?

I don't know why you bother to attend parliament Nick, we all know where you stand on the Tory-Labour question so you should just file from your conservatory which I hope will be amply supplied by your taxpayer stipend... no gravy train there eh???

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Dear Gordon,

We the public, do not believe you have our interest at heart and your cabinet representation seems to amuse me. Lets have a review of your cabinet and why we the public believe your full of "twatter".

Lord Mandleson is very incoherent and does not listen to the any views or opinion of the public even BBC presenters. He comes across as a big bully and have no substance behind him apart from "BS". A very disrespectful individual.

Your Deputy Leader seems to never know what she is talking about and gaffing for words constantly. The same can be said for your former Home Secretary.

We the people did not vote for you to "lead the world", neither did we vote for you, we vote with intent for the former and more credible Prime Minister "Tony Blair".

At the next General Election, which you avoid bring earlier when you had more support, you will finally realise that we do not want a government lead by you representing us. You do not stand for democracy.

Your letter about the little boy today made me realise how much "BS" comes out of number 10. Publish these letters you received we simply do not believe a word you say any more.

Regards,
Eamon

Nick

Hague's comments are insulting. He puts down the votes of the UK electorate voting for non mainstream parties which undermines the principle of democracy.

#92
"If it's not about tv and personalities then why did Gordon have his little meeting with people who'd only ask the right questions?"

That's not even close to a sensible question? does David Cameron make policy speeches to a labour audience?.