The sword still hangs above Gordon Brown's head

Simon Stephenson

You don't think that perhaps Labour has already decided that Brown must go, but they are giving themselves enough time to prepare the ground to give his replacement as much of a flying start as is possible?

This is absolutely standard practice in industry and commerce - every single piece of potentially bad news, plus a lot more ficticious ones besides, are "transparently" brought out into the open at the time of the incumbent's demise, with the result that the "new broom" couldn't fail to have some (apparent) initial success even if he had the brains of a donkey.

AEH

Winston Churchill wrote "The British people can face peril or misfortune with fortitude and buoyancy, but they bitterly resent being deceived or finding that those responsible for their affairs are themselves dwelling in a fool's paradise".

colin

Although I still think it highly unlikely he'll be forced from office before a general election, the only way the PLP will force him out is, if there's enough Labour backbenchers with unassailable majorities willing to band together.

Based on events of the last two weeks, it's clear that the basic instinct of your average regime henchman is for self preservation, not preserving the national interest. I reckon there are fewer that 175 Labour MPs with sears that could no be considered safe.

Has anyone else done the arithmetic on this?

Fred

The "one blow" idea is delusion. It covers up the cowardice of the Labour MPs who simply repeat "we are giving you one more chance - we mean it this time". But they never do.

John Page

Isn't Balls one of the few people whose assurances on state spending would be less believable than Brown's?

Isn't this like Beckett standing for Speaker?

Sir Graphus

Balls is the protege who has risen and will fall with his master unless he can emerge from his shadow.

Looking at it a different way, and assuming for a moment that Mr Balls isn't a particularly nice or loyal bloke; Brown is simply of no use to him anymore.

Andy Pandy

I am reminded of a comment made in an earlier piece. It has never been Gorden's practice to stand for election. So my prediction is that it will not be the the Labour party that get's rid him, nor indeed the electorate but he himself will step down. My guess that this will be at around March 2010. In fact I might even put money on it.

Oscar

Simon Stephenson - this is the view I came to after reading today's ST article about Mandelson's empire. It struck me that Brown was in effect removed from power last week. Mandy is our de facto caretaker PM preparing for an orderly sacking of Brown in the Autumn and high profile leadership election. This is the only real way to make sense of Mandelson and Miliband's 'unhelpful' intervention yesterday. The ST article is absolutely damning. It basically asserts that Brown is now a puppet leader with Mandelson pulling all the strings.

Rhoda Klapp

It's been running around my head that I don't really need to write a different post every time. I could just prepare a little phrase to paste in whenever I feel the need. It would read "They still don't get it, do they?"

They still don't get that we all haven't 'moved on' from expenses. Or immigration, or the EU. We have been, and continue to be, let down by our political class. We don't want the new agenda before those things are resolved.

Michael

Andy Pandy,I am with you. Gordon does not do elections.I think he will arrange a job with the IMF before resigning before the next election. I am sure he is beavering away at it as we speak.

Ben

Mandy is waiting for the Irish referendum on the European Constitution and then the ratification of the Constitution. Brown will then fall at Mandy's instigation and it will be too late for the in coming Tory government to call a referendum.

That is why Mandy is talking about another plan to oust Brown later in the year.

The question is where do Mandy's allegiances lie - The Labour Party, the UK or the EU?

Edward

Rhoda Klapp 5:00pm
Agreed.

And I don't want expenses, immigration or EU "resolved" by this corrupt discredited devalued untrustworthy and dangerous Parliament.

Why allow these Luddites to tinker with the machinery they've trashed and/or given away ?

Bluebottle

Andy Pandy & Michael, I've commented several times in the past that Brown is terrified of elections and won't face one he thinks he will lose. My guess is that he will stand down through "ill health", three months before an election is due if not at the party conference.

Oscar

Interesting comments on the NoW article. They all want Brown to go NOW. He has no mandate - yet we are being forced to act as bystanders at a pernicious political charade. The mood of ordinary, non-political class people is loud and plain in those comments. If Brown really was listening he would quit tomorrow.

Simon Stephenson

Michael

"Gordon does not do elections.I think he will arrange a job with the IMF before resigning before the next election."

But his ONLY skill is in political manoeuvring. He knows barely enough about economics to con people into thinking he's an expert.

Maybe the IMF have an opening for a people-hating enforcer of car-park etiquette, or some other such position complementary to the talents of the biggest little Hitler in the western world. I can't see what other use they'd have for him.

Although Blair as Middle-East peace envoy took some believing too.

Edward

Oscar 8:12pm

I would agree, but it's not up to Brown.
It's generally recognized that Lord Mandelson is now our Prime Minister.

Brown waste is piling up

Number of Not in My Name drones who marched against the removal of a mass murdering dictator who threatened global stability - 1 million.

Number of people who marched against an unelected, undemocratic, dangerously incompetent Prime Minister who is putting us into debt that will keep us in penury for a generation while surrounding himself with other unelected parasites who are milking the system in good style, go Glenys go! - er, none.

david smith

surely any fule knows that Balls would be the last one to stick the knife in. Elicited one of the strongest denials ever. Never mind! all good copy!