A warning shot across Gordon's bow
James Forsyth 1:33pm
In the last week there have been several stories about how Stephen Carter, the PM’s chief strategist, is to be demoted or moved; Brown can hardly bear to look at him any more according to one source. But Patrick Wintour’s piece in The Guardian today suggests that Carter isn’t planning on going quietly.
Wintour reports that Carter has apparently also lost the confidence of Jeremy Heywood, the permanent secretary at Number Ten. Yet, Carter isn’t intending to resign. Friends of Carter tell Wintour that:
"He is far more effective and intelligent than the people in No 10 briefing against him. He is also a very resilient guy and is not going to be put off from doing an excellent job."The danger is that the schoolboy briefings could poison the atmosphere inside No 10 and make it difficult for people to work together. He started at a difficult time in February when the impact of the credit crunch had just started to hit Gordon's poll rating. People think he is a communications specialist like Campbell - that is not his role. He has achieved a lot and has a lot more to do, and it would be a catastrophe for Gordon if he was forced out. These kind of briefings are far more damaging than anything Clarke says on the record. It must make it harder for Downing Street to operate cohesively."
The worry for Brown is that if Carter is forced out, Carter’s version of events—hardly likely to be flattering—will leak out. Carter took a significant pay cut to join the Brown operation and he is going need to protect his own reputation and future earning potential if he leaves.
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Comments
salieri
September 6th, 2008 3:06pmBut, for the umpteenth time, may we be told why anyone is in the least surprised when the turd-polisher can no longer stand the smell or the turd does not care to be polished? This has been a pretty unanimous reaction on CH ever since the breathless announcement of yet another "strategist" or "special adviser" or, even more pretentiously, "advisor". And exactly the same thing will happen to all the Brown polishers still to come. The man is literally insufferable.
Tiberius
September 6th, 2008 4:47pmThese stories really are hiliarious.
If these goons were not ruining our future, the comedy might just displace Fawlty Towers as the funniest British comedy ever.
Verity
September 6th, 2008 5:04pmHow many "warning shots across the bow" are allowed in warfare? Two or three a day for four months and the term loses its resonance ...
mitch
September 6th, 2008 5:14pm"It must make it harder for Downing Street to operate cohesively."
your kidding right?
Max Kaye
September 6th, 2008 5:47pmTo us out here in the real world, the machinations of these people is about as relevant as the conversations between nascent stools in a drunkard's large intestine - and are all most all likely to end up in the same place.
At least we were spared the description of this non-story as "essential reading".
Ian C
September 6th, 2008 6:32pmI recommend reading Mathew Paris in today's Times. He hits precisely the right point saying that someone has to step in and remove Brown.
'Labour's predicament' he says 'has gone beyond an internal party matter'.
If they don't step in to remove him 'they will lose 'the pride and confidence of a whole political and philosophical moevement, the British centre left'.
Well worth the read as this is the internal political reason GB must (I think will) be removed soon - quite apart from the much more important interest of the country.
Gordon Musgo
September 6th, 2008 6:46pmI fear the word shot has been misvowelled in the headline.
Seriously, these stories are tiresome, and journos talking about 'briefing' (as if they didn't know exactly who is doing what to whom and why) is disingenuous and gets right up my nose.
Nicholas
September 6th, 2008 6:54pmBrown, as man and as subject of speculation , is detestable. The story is the PR machine and what it is costing the taxpayer. Quite obscene that with the economy in its present state this revolting creature whom we are saddled with as PM should be spending such amounts on propaganda, spin and lies to bolster his own less than salvageable image. He should be bundled off to the Old Bailey and banged up for fraud. And most of the cretinous half-wits in his cabinet should follow on charges of treason against the British people.
Pat
September 6th, 2008 7:00pmIf it wasn't for the fact that the country is going down the pan and so many are experiencing personal tragedy it would be laughable.
"Charge that man, Sarn't Major, for impersonating a Prime Minister."
Bobby Monroe
September 6th, 2008 11:24pmThe PM is a very clever man. We need a sensible man for tough times. Compare our candidates to the bimboes, fake cowboys, and has beens the USA has to offer.
Anthony a
September 6th, 2008 11:49pmI can't imagine why Carter is still hanging around in No10.
If I was in his shoes I'd be looking for another job asap.
I would imagine working for Brown is a bit like working for a two year old child.
Nicholas
September 7th, 2008 12:25amActually, on reflection he doesn't need a warning shot across the bow but a brace of torpedos amidships. This particular drifting and dithering hulk needs sinking.
Marian C
September 7th, 2008 11:14amThey’ve all lost the plot completely, if wasn’t so awful it would be funny.
Max Kaye
September 7th, 2008 4:06pmBobby Monroe - I'd rather have a US 'reject' than a Nu Labour 'Star'.
On second thoughts, no: you can't be serious ("The PM is a very clever man") - I must be losing my sense of irony.
Marian C
September 7th, 2008 5:18pmBobby Monroe
September 6th, 2008 11:24pm
“The PM is a very clever man. We need a sensible man for tough times. Compare our candidates to the bimboes, fake cowboys, and has beens the USA has to offer”
That’s the funniest thing that I’ve heard all day.