Suspended animation

Oscar

This didn't stop Pravda putting the case for Brown on WATO just now. Apparently Brown's bunker think the story is laughable and have nothing but contempt for the plotters. No sign of any self criticism, instead they're furious at the reporters who dared make it a story yesterday. They're also at pains to emphasise the rules will make it well nigh impossible to get rid of their unelected Leader. No doubt it was unintentional but it was the portrait of a ruthless, contemptible, delusional bunch of megalomaniacs. Impervious of public opinion, contemptuous of members of their own government, condemning the media for not taking orders from No.10. How many in the Labour party rue the day they ever let this man seize power without a fight? Now they've been reduced to impotence and ignominy. Now they're saddled with him to the bitter end.

oldtimer

Not so much a pause button but the calm before the storm - in public at least. No doubt both the plotters and the Brown bunker are hitting the phones and e-mails 24 hours a day.

As an aside it will be interesting to see how Brown is treated/regarded by Obama and Sarkozy on his away day in Normandy. At best the Friday and Saturday headlines will not be comfortable reading for him. At worst they will signal his imminent fall from office.

Andy

On the plus side, it means the plotters don't have to worry about denying everything on TV, and instead can keep scurrying around in private :)

Nick

Ginger, get the popcorn......

Vulture

I think I know how this is going to turn out. My predicted w/end diary: Tonight/tomorrow, if Liebour council poll results are bad ( ie. if they lose all their counties; & their vote share drops below 20%); various Blairites eg. Clarke, Blears, Byers, Milburn will go public demanding that Gordo must go.
Saty: he'll be landing on the beaches and the grumbling/speculation will reach fever pitch. Sunday: the papers will all say he's toast (again). Monday: If Liebour
'go fourth' behind Ukip and Lib Dems and if BNP win a seat or two in the Euros; 100 or more dissidents will email their GMG letter and Gordo will announce his re-shuffle.
Tuesday: Gordon will resume business as usual. The rebels will fade away and Gordo will stay. Dave will be very pleased. Depressing, but I think that's the scenario. Anyone agree?

David

This is the best day Brown has had for ages...no cabinet or Ministerial resignations, nothing too frightening on expenses and no votes counted until tomorrow. Enjoy it while it lasts Brown.

Liz Brown

gormless will not have much opportunity to be seen rubbing shoulders with the Messiah as he will be at Bayeux with Prince Charles and the Messiah, after a meeting in Caen with Sarko, scheduled to last 1 1/4 hrs the Messiah and Sarkowill be together at Coleville, the American Cemetery. Nothing this appalling shit can do works in his favour

David Ossitt

He will not go.

Nobody can get him out.

He will decide the when and the how of his going.

bobdude

he won't go, they'll have to prize him out of No10.
He couldn't afford the drop in expenses and wages

Oscar

Vulture - yep I think you've got it just about right.

Nicholas

Vulture - yes, I agree. Not a single mention of the elections on BBC 6 o'clock news and the very shocking revelations about Straw's Ministry of Injustice were given the usual "Lessons learned, move on" shite (which Labour have perfected) by Labour's BBC propagandist (the newsreader).

I fear the only thing this government will understand and respond to is the public resorting to civil disobedience and disorder. The level of arrogance is staggering - they see and hear no evil but they speak plenty.

Oscar

Nicholas - you are absolutely right. Straw should resign now if he had any sense of proper shame. But even writing these words feels absurd. This government is shameless.