You couldn’t make it up: Blair wins a million bucks while Brown struggles desperately on
James Forsyth 6:45pm
The contrasting fortunes of Blair and Brown over the last few years are like something out of a childhood morality tale. Impatient Gordon hurries Tony out of office before he wanted to go. The result: Blair escapes the blame for the financial crisis, leaves office with impressive approval ratings and secures a string of impressive international jobs. Also, by getting out before the crunch hits, Blair makes a small fortune on the international speaking circuit and raises enough money to get several charities growing. Meanwhile, Gordon inherits the crown at pretty much the worst possible time and now finds the Labour party almost certain to go down to a massive defeat and those close to him apparently looking for a face-saving exit for him.
It is hard to imagine that Brown is going to have a host of prestigious jobs offers after he leaves office. He is almost certainly too tainted to go off and run the IMF or become the first non-American to run the World Bank, both options that were reportedly on offer when he was Chancellor.
One wonders what went through Brown’s head as he watched a relaxed, tanned and toned Blair have praised heaped on him by the new US president, who Brown’s team are coming up with increasingly desperate schemes (the latest rumour , reported by Sky, is that the British want a joint Wembley rally) to associate the Prime Minister with. Today, just to rub salt into the wound, Blair picked up a million dollar prize for “exceptional leadership”. How Gordon must envy the man. Blair seems destined to always be the winner and Brown the loser.
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Nathan Stevens
February 16th, 2009 6:50pm Report this commentJustice will prevail eventually.
George Laird
February 16th, 2009 6:54pm Report this commentDear James
Brown is reaping the benefit for his own actions in stabbing Blair in the back.
God; Blair must be loving this.
What sweet karma.
What price loyalty Brown?
Pretty high!
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
TrevorsDen
February 16th, 2009 7:23pm Report this comment"a joint Wembley rally" -- I would have thought Sheffield would be more appropriate.
The truth of course is that Blair does not deserve his prizes. He certainly WOULD have deserved one if he had sacked Brown in 2002. Or even 2005.
Fergus
February 16th, 2009 7:24pm Report this commentHark, 'tis the gentle sound of Cherie laughing her head off
idle
February 16th, 2009 7:26pm Report this commentWho put up the million bucks? Why did he put it up?
Would the politicians not attempt "exceptional leadership" without the carrot of a million bucks?
Is not the recent history of the Middle East a hint that Tony's leadership is less than exceptional?
What will Tone do with it?
Or, what will Shri do with it?
Max Kaye
February 16th, 2009 7:55pm Report this commentBrown will retire to some remote island and write books on courage. And resolution. And political vision. And success.
He will fade into well-earned obscurity.
oldrightie
February 16th, 2009 7:58pm Report this commentWhat will Tone do with it?
Buy a lifeboat for Gordon?
mac
February 16th, 2009 8:04pm Report this commentBlair receives cash for 'leadership'. Brown 'writes' a book on courage. Robotic bureaucrats sought to prevent a VC holder receiving any help from the British state.
Truly, we live beyond Lewis Carroll's Looking Glass . . .
Travis Bickle
February 16th, 2009 8:26pm Report this commentAsk yourself two questions;
1) Why did Blair call the last election a year earlier than necessary?
2) Why did he allow himself to be "bullied" out of office by the great feartie whilst things in the garden still looked relatively rosey?
I suggest he was either very lucky, very well advised or a much sharper cookie than he would admit to being.
Andrew Cadman
February 16th, 2009 9:08pm Report this commentBlair has the magic 'C' word - Charisma. Having observed people with that quality in life they often have innate cunning in knowing when to make a good exit.
Once he had a better job opportunity come up he would have been on his way, and personally I think his plan was to sign the Lisbon Treaty - having made sure, as he did anyway, he was very much in the running for the job of European President. Therefore he would have been gone by summer 2008 at the latest.
It is sad but charismatic people are usually and unjustifiably amongst life's winners, largely because they learn how to use their gifts in order to manipulate people.
Tankus
February 16th, 2009 9:19pm Report this commenthow about a donation to the poppy appeal ? ...or support your local bank and buy some Lloyd's shares
molesworth 1
February 16th, 2009 9:23pm Report this comment@Fergus
It's not only Cherie...
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha (cont. p94)
mac
February 16th, 2009 10:23pm Report this comment@ Max Kaye:
"Brown on Resolution", in fact? Forester's Brown was both courageous and patriotic, just like Gordon evidently imagines himself to be.
But how charitable you are; Brown surely deserves a more sulphurous fate than mere obscurity.
Rodney
February 17th, 2009 12:43am Report this commentOne thing's for sure - Brown has more integrity than Blair. Which isn't necessarily saying much.
Moraymint
February 17th, 2009 8:17am Report this commentGreek tragedy comes to mind.
richardj
February 17th, 2009 10:12am Report this commentPerhaps a time share with Mugabe?
Polly and Alice's mum
February 17th, 2009 3:16pm Report this commentI think that Gordon is just stupid, and I have long thought so.
Blair has run rings around him from the word go - and Brown has been too stupid to see it.
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