So, what should Gordon do now?
James Forsyth 9:46am
There’s lots of advice for Gordon Brown in today’s papers. Perhaps, the most interesting comes from Matthew Taylor, a key adviser under Blair.
"After waiting a few days to avoid the impression of panic Gordon Brown should do a major interview. In this interview he should announce that he will dedicate his efforts to delivering a very short list of very important outcomes by the spring of 2010. One of these should be about family prosperity and economic stability, one should be about reducing poverty and one or two (but really no more) about key public service indicators. He should say that he wants to be judged on whether he delivers these objectives, and that he is happy to have progress independently audited. The objectives should be achievable but ambitious and above all mean something to 'ordinary' people; too easy or opaque and he won't get any credit. The Prime Minister should freely admit that if he fails to deliver or if the people don't think these achievements matter he will probably lose. 'That's democracy' he should say with a shrug and a smile.”Taylor admits that at this stage there’s no guarantee that this would work. But it would, at the least, give Brown some purpose again; one of his big problems in recent weeks is that it is not clear what he is for anymore. Having said that, the tide is flowing so fast in the Tory direction that Brown might no longer be master of his own fate.
PS You can find the piece in The Observer, apologies for the lack of a link but for some reason I can't make them work this morning.
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Comments
Liz Brown
May 4th, 2008 10:04amJust seen Gordo on AM - Marr as obsequious as always - and nothing new from Gordo blathering on how the economy is strong, interest rates are low and children lifted out of poverty - God help us all
John Page
May 4th, 2008 11:43amThere's irony is Labour's promise to start listening bearing in mind they can't have stopped polling & focus groups.
Today's Telegraph contains rich helpings of tripe, from both Bob Marshall Andrews and I'm afraid Mr d'Ancona. Not enough space to elaborate here, though.
Slim Jim
May 4th, 2008 12:26pmHe could announce that a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty will be held. He could reinstate the 10p tax band, or even raise tax thresholds. He could cut VAT and fuel duties. He could announce a 'bonfire' of quangos and measures to reduce waste in the public sector. He could withdraw our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. But the best thing he could do is resign.
Perry
May 4th, 2008 12:58pm" . . what should Gordon do now? . ."
I feel this blog is too polite to utter what I and many others feel.
However, there would be some justice in him having clear up his own mess - if he could!
H J Osbourne
May 4th, 2008 3:13pmGordon Brown, as usual, has missed the point, obvious though it is to the rest of us. It's up close and personal, he is loathed for his destruction of our pensions whilst safeguarding his own, our education system, his control of our personal lives and lack of control of our borders and loss of it on our streets. His supreme arrogance is in believing he can spend our money better then we can.
Fortunately we will be rid of this unreconstructed celtic stalinist sooner rather than later. It can't be soon enough.
Roger Davies
May 4th, 2008 3:25pmStay in Scotland.
Pete
May 4th, 2008 4:02pmBravo HJO. I agree entirely.
Travis Bickle
May 4th, 2008 4:57pmHe should stop "thinking long and hard about helping people resolve their problems" (pass the sick bag) and just not create those problems in the first place.
Simon
May 4th, 2008 8:56pmI read this piece by Taylor in the Observer before I watched Brown's soliloquy in Marr's show. My advice as a pensioner to Brown is 'take retirement early' and 'enjoy the fresh air of Kirkaldy and joing the nearby golf club'
SEAN
May 4th, 2008 9:05pmHe doesn't get the message which is - Get Out.
The problem is not just Labour policies, it's the incompetence at delivering ANYTHING.
Yes, Gordon, people have had enough of you. The people have spoken. Go.
Talia
May 5th, 2008 5:21pm"delivering a very short list of very important outcomes"?
Do you speak English, Mr Taylor? They didn't learn him to speak like that at his South London private school.