Latest: Darling to stay put
Fraser Nelson 8:37am
Word is that Darling is staying put - if so, it would be the position of maximum weakness for Brown. It means he has had to abandon his plan to enstool Balls as Chancellor. And there was indeed such a plan - I know, for example, that Purnell was offered education, which suggests Balls was on the move. That was on Wednesday, the day Brown failed to back Darling in the Commons when Cameron asked him if Darling would survive the month. But Balls is so widely hated - and that letter (I hear) gathering signatures - that Brown figured he dare not. This, under the circumstances, is the safest option for Brown. But leaves him in the weakest possible position.
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The Huntsman
June 5th, 2009 8:43am Report this comment"enstool Balls"
Not a concept I have ever come across before.
One half of the word suggests some dark, Freudian thoughts about Mr. Balls, who, as we all know, is indeed a little s***.
JohnOfEnfield
June 5th, 2009 9:19am Report this comment...as in "gentleman of the Prime Minister's stool".
Silent Hunter
June 5th, 2009 9:22am Report this commentEnstool?
Is that a verb specially dreamed up to describe the process by which Mr Brown arises from some 'seating implement' to discover he has left his Balls behind?
Vulture
June 5th, 2009 9:24am Report this commentDon't get too enstooled yourself Pete watching how Cap'n Bruin is shifting the deckchairs as the Titanic's tilt steepens. Look at the big picture betrayed by the election results. Britain hates Bruin and loathes Liebour. So long as his palsied hand is on the tiller we are looking at a Canada result in the next GE, when an unpopular Govt party was reduced at a stroke to 3 seats.
Bugger Bruin, this weekend marks an epochal shift in politics: After a century, Liebour are done for. At last!
Jeremy
June 5th, 2009 9:35am Report this comment"...enstool Balls..."
What a delightful juxtaposition of images that conjures up.
"I know, for example, that Purnell was offered education..."
Yes, he certainly needs it.
"...which suggests Balls was on the move."
Rolling across the top of the stool, no doubt.
"...the day Brown failed to back Darling in the Commons when Cameron asked him if Darling would survive the month."
Darling....will you survive the month?
"Not without you, darling."
Hmmmm....."that letter"....
Russell
June 5th, 2009 9:41am Report this commentSo Ed Balls will *never* become Chancellor of the Exchequer. Another lifetime's ambition lies in smouldering ruins.
Couldn't have happened to a nastier chap!
Can't see Johnson being happy with the political graveyard of the Home Office, somehow - and his campaign team is said to be in place.
RobC
June 5th, 2009 9:53am Report this commentHuntsman - You missed his full title "obnoxious little s***"
David Bouvier
June 5th, 2009 1:59pm Report this commentApparently in West Africa you are enstooled as a chieftain rather than enthroned, reflecting the less fancy seating over there I suppose.
I prefer to think of him is being ensconced or installed.
hadrian
June 5th, 2009 4:53pm Report this commentIf Balls has been de-stooled won't that make him a very sore little Balls? Will it strain his relationship with the Bungler Broon stuff?
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