How depressed is the left?
James Forsyth 8:26pm
Martin Bright and Jackie Ashley are two of the most astute and influential commentators on the left. So I was particularly struck by how bearish about Brown’s prospects they both are; it is a sign of the times that the fact that Ashley does not totally rule out the possibility that Brown might recover is considered news.
.Here’s how Bright ends his typically excellent politics column in this week’s New Statesman: “in the present atmosphere of seemingly terminal pessimism, many MPs on the government benches would happily take the Wilson outcome: four years in opposition followed by a Labour return to power has to be better than the 18 years in the wilderness after Callaghan's defeat.”
While Ashley in her column about how Brown started to fight back today, concludes thus:
“Brown's major task is to stop looking and sounding like a loser, whether it's in the chamber of the House of Commons, or in the TV studios. As one disappointed Brownite told me last week, he's been giving the impression of a man who has lost his confidence and, once that happens, it's very hard to rebuild yourself.The silver lining for Brown is that a Tory victory in Crewe and Nantwich is now factored into the calculations of most pundits. If the Dunwoody name can save Labour there, then Brown will have an opening to come back.Yet, today at least Brown gave the impression that he was trying. As one of his inquisitors pointed out at this morning's press conference, whatever he does, he always seems to get a negative reaction. Undoubtedly, he'll be written off again, and again, and again. But while he may be down, he's not yet out.”
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Comments
Disraeli's Ghost
May 16th, 2008 12:23amBeing a lefty is despressing!
Perry
May 16th, 2008 7:20amMz. Prudence of Noo-Lie-Bore : the princess of puerile publicity.
EyeSee
May 16th, 2008 8:28amNo he wont. I think most people now realise the last 11 years have been those of endless smoke and mirrors. A PM with no concern for governing and no personal code (beyond greed obviously) let alone ideology and a Chancellor who felt he knew best on everything and paid no heed to anyone else, or contrary facts have been exposed. Shielded by solid economics (that they inherited not understood) Labour managed to stay in power, because they didn't seem to be incompetent to those not really that interested. Yes, political apathy is essential for Labour success. When people who want to better their lives think about politics, they certainly don't vote Labour! You have to be seriously rich to be Socialist (ask Polly).
Paul Linford
May 16th, 2008 9:30amThe Wilson outcome to which Bright refers would be an amazing outcome for Brown in these circumstances. Although Wilson did indeed lose in 1970, he put himself in with a very good chance of winning, and arguably only lost because of some poor trade figures and an England World Cup defeat.
Simon
May 16th, 2008 10:28amThe Wilson outcome ? What, Gordon Brown gets Alzheimer’s disease and resigns ?
Mrs Campbell
May 16th, 2008 10:48amAll Gordon Brown knows is how to shoot Tory foxes - a more short termist, partisan and party political Prime Minister can rarely have existed
TrevorH
May 16th, 2008 10:57amWell said both EyeSee and Paul Linford.
Labour are scratching around in desperation. They should take note of what the BoE governor is saying. Read the business pages. If they have the stomach.
The Wilson comparison is with the 'Pound in your pocket' moment - people saw through the duplicity, just as the 10p moment(s) show how Brown has lost the plot. Wilson had three years to recover and failed, Brown only has two.
In respect of a comparison with Major we should remember that whilst 'Black Wednesday' was a political disaster it was economically miraculous, the right economic thing to do. Brown's £3 billion give away was politically desperate and given the BoE governors remarks, economically illiterate.
Alistair Darling can take comfort though - despite devaluing the pound Callaghan later became PM.
Oh and another thing ... assuming that the EU Constitution goes through, then Brown may well find his time taken up with the inevitable flood of EU 'takeover' measures, his image, his relaunches, his initiatives, will be subsumed by 'events'.
Always assuming of course he turns up to the meetings on time (if at all).