October storm
Looking purely at the art of politics you have to sit back and admire Gordon Brown.
He communicates simple messages very well - although as ever the small print tells a different story. In politics such a small proportion of the electorate ever takes an interest in the small print.
This is how Gordon Brown got away with his tax rises and the destruction of middle class pensions ( at least in the non-Labour voting private sector - John Prescott did OK with his £1.5 million payoff - because that's what it really is ).
He's there to claim he saved Darfur, removed troops from Iraq, stands against Mugabe and watches ITN's news to send them warm words.
Now the bank of England has been forced to splurge £10billion into the money markets to ensure the waters are calm and there are no further crisis ( never mind that this is sowing the wind for future disasters ).
In true New Labour fashion Melvyn King is to take the blame for Gordon's mistakes - just in case.
But he knows a storm is coming. Britain groans under debt ( little eager Gordon's helpers on TV will go on about government debt being low, but they are deliberately misleading. The government's money is our money. And private debt in the UK is a at crippling levels ).
Hence I now think Gordon will go for the early election, he can't risk being found out by events. He will hope to ride the following economic storm by taking advantage of disarray in the oppositions ranks.
Frankly the clouds on the horizon look very dark ....
Update: Just take a look at this one. the quote below stuck me. If it were to be the case it would be deepest cynical manoeuvre of Gordon Brown's career. He is no democrat if he does this - but we can rely on his palls in the BBC to help him all they can.
- A campaign of only three weeks, if it was called during the Tory conference, would also be "very manageable".
Update: Today's editorial in the Telegraph points at a similar story.
4 comments:
“This is how Gordon Brown go away with his tax rises and the destruction of middle class pensions ( at least in the non-Labour voting private sector - John Prescott did OK with his £1.5 million payoff - because that's what it really is ).”
May I point out that there are some of us who are employed in the public sector who detest Sauron and his orcs as much as those who have real jobs.
Grendel - point taken. The problem with the current public sector pension arrangements is that they are unsustainable. Eventually they will have to be cut back, but Labour wants all the pay roll vote it can get before that day !
In a more cruel way the public sector is also being conned.
I don't think there is going to be an election. Labour is millions in debt. If I was him I wouldn't risk it.
It all depends whats coming over the horizon. Brown may know this is his best chance.
I would also add that he has been putting all the bits in place for such a smash and grab election since becoming leader.
He wins as:
1) The Labour conference becomes a rally - setting the agenda for the election.
2) The Conservative conference ties up its activists when Labour are knocking on doors. It also prevents people like the BBC giving full publicity to the Conservatives due to their need for balance in a general election.
3) The Lib Dem leader is desperate - and clearly favours Labour. If they don't win an election Ming is in the Bank. Nick Cleggg and maybe Huhme are so sure - to bank of his fellow Scot he needs to go now.
4) The money problem will solve itself - donations are already up. As they look like winning there will be plenty of people and organisations looking to get favours from the next 5 years.
5) A defeat for the Conservatives at this time could be as crushing as the defeat of Michael Foot.
Personally I hope your right - but I don't think so. - to paraphrase the Cardigans.
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