The media register their vote of no confidence
Peter Hoskin 11:40am
The media response to Brown's recovery package for the housing market feels like some kind of milestone. It's negative pretty much across the board (as this useful summary by Jenny Percival points out) - picking up on all of the package's inconsistencies: how it won't have much of an effect; how it will place undue pressure on the public finances; and how it's encouraging potential buyers to catch a falling knife. Of course, you could say that's exactly the right response, and I'd agree. But the fact remains that Brown's measures - and particularly the stamp duty holiday - are, at least, easy to spin in a positive way. It just seems that no one can now bring themselves to do so.
Support for Brown in the papers has certainly been dwindling over the past few months - perhaps best represented by Polly Toynbee's Damascene conversion from being one of his most ardent admirers to one of his most venemous detractors. But I suspect No.10 will still be shocked by this morning's response. They've pinned the majority of their hopes on the economic recovery package, for which the housing measures were a prelude. But if that receives a similar treatment, then the proposals will be sunk from the outset. And - if the warnings and ultimatums of Labour MPs are anything to go by - Brown might sink with them.
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Jonathan H
September 3rd, 2008 12:18pm Report this commentI like the last five words especially. Bring it on.
Liz Brown
September 3rd, 2008 12:44pm Report this commentHe hasn't got a hope in Hell - who will rid us of this turbulent subprime Minister but not sowhatballsup for pity's sake........come to that none of the ghastly Front Bench will or can deliver us from rotten Government
Mike, Brighton
September 3rd, 2008 1:05pm Report this commentIf Labour is to be taken seriously then they cannot continue 20-25 points behind the Tories with a leader that cannot cobble a package of measures together that lasts longer than 5 minutes detailed scrutiny.
They have to replace Brown and now if they are to retain any credibility and survive as a political party.
Nicholas
September 3rd, 2008 1:46pm Report this commentEnough is enough, Gordon. Don't put your egotism above the well being of this country. We have all had enough of your rotten crew and their cynical games. Your bodyguard of lies has failed. General Election now.
Hereford
September 3rd, 2008 1:55pm Report this commentHe will not go. Not until the last day has come will he call an election and not until the day after the election will his party kick him out.
There is nobody to replace him with. Anybody who did replace him now, would be committing career suicide by presiding over the biggest loss the Labour Party has suffered.
His back benchers will grumble, but they are a self serving lot who will want to delay their loss of employment for as long as possible.
Look forward to 2 more years of grinding slow death.
Jeeze I hope I'm wrong :o(
The Laughing Cavalier
September 3rd, 2008 5:01pm Report this commentReading Polly Wolly Twaddle's lamentations about how her great Lochinvar has failed her I cannot help but think that one would need a heart of stone not to laugh.
jon dee
September 3rd, 2008 5:29pm Report this commentIf this is the prelude to Browns
highly spun new economic plan the
media(BBC excepted) and the majority of the electorate can have no confidence in it. The government are spent-up burnt-out but dangerously irresponsible and we could further pay for it.
Oscar
September 3rd, 2008 9:06pm Report this commentI noticed today's Sun (good ole Murdoch) had a limp headline about stamp duty "joy". It carried no conviction at all and was clearly there to appease Brown. But why?
TGF UKIP
September 3rd, 2008 10:00pm Report this commentPete, is there a date and venue fixed yet for the unveiling of the "economic recovery plan" and if the venue isn't Parliament I wonder how Gorbals Mick will dodge being incandescent.
Pete Hoskin
September 4th, 2008 12:39am Report this commentTGF UKIP: No, not yet. Word is that No.10 isn't quite sure how to go about things - whether to unveil all the proposals in one go, or to trickle them out. James Kirkup's written a good post on some of the confusion over at Three Line Whip:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/james_kirkup/blog/2008/09/03/how_not_to_manage_expectations
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