The Brownites really can't play the expectations game
James Forsyth 2:59pm
The Brown re-launch is falling flat because all the ideas in it were previewed over the summer, meaning that their announcement does little for Brown’s prospects. Indeed, in some cases it does positive harm as the actual policy is less bold than the one that was floated. Now, this has happened for a reason—the ideas were leaked to show Labour MPs tempted by Miliband’s so-called vision for the future that Brown still had some shots left in his locker. But this short-term manoeuvre has harmed Labour’s prospect of a revival in the medium term.
It seems the same thing is going on with Brown’s conference speech. Ben Brogan blogs today that:
Again, one has to presume that this line is being briefed out to reassure those in the Labour party who think that Brown’s conference speech is his last chance to turn things round; there’s reportedly a truce between Miliband and Brown until after conference. But it is self-defeating spin. The higher the expectations are set for Brown’s speech, the harder it will be for him to meet them."as Labour conference approaches, there's more and more speculation about Mr Brown's speech and what he needs to do. Some are resigned to little more than a competent performance. But among those who have seen or even helped with the early drafts, there's noticeable optimism."
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Comments
john miller
September 5th, 2008 3:29pmJam tomorrow...
Anon Labourite
September 5th, 2008 3:35pmIt's not how he speaks, it's what he says that matters. Frankly he could deliver his speech naked and using semaphore flags, but unless he shows that he's got an answer to prevent recession and mitigate high fuel and food prices for the hardest hit, he's toast.
He's rapidly running out of friends, and as you write much of it is his own fault.
David C
September 5th, 2008 4:13pm"It'll be great so don't pull the trigger on him"
Browns spin doctors attempting to forestall
his ejection from No.10.
This is not Brown 'getting on with the job'.
This is not a Labour government 'doing what's best for Britain'.
This is the Labour Party talking to itself again.
It is also the reason that the Labour Party will be annihilated at the GE.
They don't seem to understand that the electorate simply aren't listening to Brown anymore.
Frank Pulley
September 5th, 2008 4:16pmWhy are we sill raking over the ashes of a dead fire; how about bellowing some flame in the Tory hearth? I keep placing my ass in front of it and thinking that it would be warmer in Alaska. Those damp squibs you offered in the shape of George and Dominic didn't raise a spark, that's for sure.
Frank Pulley
September 5th, 2008 4:26pmBtw
Here is somebody who desperately wants to rid this nation of its current administration. Somebody inspire me FFS. Haven't you got a Sarah Palin hanging around on the constituences? As I keep urging you - make Melanie P an offer she can't refuse! Can you imagine what that would do to Brown & Co.?
I'm beginning to understand why the Speccie left Doughty Street for Old Queen Street. From clenched fist to limp wrist in one move.
Max Kaye
September 5th, 2008 5:05pmFrank Pulley, Melanie would make mincemeat of 'em. (Sarah Palin's better with an M-16, though).
Cindy
September 5th, 2008 5:29pmBrown is pathetic and his speech last night at the Scottish CBI was abysmal. When I look accross the Atlantic at the vibrant elections going on and the candidates they've got I think we should be ashamed of ourselves as a Nation that this 2nd rate idiot has been able to become this country's Prime Minister.
TGF UKIP
September 5th, 2008 5:48pmFrank P, aside from not quite knowing who you mean by Melanie P, I agree with every word of both posts and you put it so much better than I could.
jon dee
September 5th, 2008 6:45pmWere it not for branding problems New Labour should be renamed trivial pursuits.The summer spin on the new economic plan could not disguise the lack of real ideas and initiatives.And yet the spin continues despite refuting gimmicry.Conference should show courage and put a stop to this costly charade.
jon dee
September 5th, 2008 6:57pmWere it not for branding problems New Labour should be renamed trivial pursuits.The summer spin on the new economic plan could not disguise the lack of real ideas and initiatives.And yet the spin continues despite refuting gimmicry.Conference should show courage and put a stop to this costly charade.
Alan Phillips
September 5th, 2008 8:13pmThe trouble with this lots idea's they all cost and arm and a leg and with reams of rules to impliment them. The KISS acronim in their case breaks down as thus: Keep Insisting Society's Stupid. It's like watching the man who keeps hitting his hand with a hammer to prove it hurts. It is time that Labour stopped picking at the scab they created, do nothing, stop digging and allow the wound to heal without their intervention.
If the Labour Party loved the country, they'd stop the spending and look at giving the people they are supposed to work for, the cuts on wastage and sewrvices that are making them poor to begin with.
Tankus
September 5th, 2008 8:25pmMy expectation is that Gordon will ...
Re announce the announcements from the previous relaunched relaunch of budget expenditure already announced in the last budgets pre budget expenditure announcement plans, following the last review of actual budget expenditure planned in the last pre budget .......
...... as a tax credit voucher .... for every one , except Albanians
........which may require another 10,000 civil servants to administer ,but this will be funded by a post dated windfall tax on the expected profits on the selling off of the Olympic games site, for social housing to hackney county council , as announced in the review of expected capital expenditure for the Olympic games in 1996 ....
obviously a further review may be required on the actual gains from the games if the original cost projections of £2.6bn go slightly over the contingency funds of £100m and the planned for 15.5%per capita growth rates which may appear to have been marginally over optimistic as announced in the original budget in 1997 ...
But this can be rectified in the pre budget of 2022 by increasing stamp duty on average house prices over £1.4m...... as the country returns to its normal projected 20% annual growth rates after the small dip in Britain boisterous economy in 2008.
This is the job in hand .....and the man for the job is Brown , who just gets on with the job .... the country should feel grateful , as the next two years is special time for being British as the man in charge IS the man for the job ...the only man ... the only job ... the job
Vote Brown
Hysteria
September 5th, 2008 11:07pmThanks to Tankus - brilliant!
mitch
September 6th, 2008 8:59amthere are no words in any language that could put a shine on this turd.
Frank Pulley
September 6th, 2008 4:48pmmitch
I dunno, I'd bet even his turds are oleaginous; he doesn't sweat - he oozes! And boy! Is he oozing at this point in his career?
Frank Pulley
September 6th, 2008 4:51pmAnonlabourite
Isn't that one of those strange sects in Pennsylvania, that wear funny hats and can have five wives?