Brown has been phoning round since 1997
James Forsyth 4:49pm
The story that Gordon Brown personally calls members of the public who write him critical letters gets more bizarre with the news in today’s Guardian that he has apparently being doing this since 1997. This suggests that he can’t be calling that many people as otherwise this would have surely leaked out before now.
Someone who has received one of these calls told The BBC:
‘the prime minister apologised on behalf of the government "for what had happened to the people of Iraq".’
This flags up another potential problem with the scheme: people who have been phoned could start coming forward and announcing that government policy on x,y or z has now changed.
We’re still offering a case of champagne for anyone who has a genuine recording of one of these calls.
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Comments
atropos
May 31st, 2008 5:14pmIf these calls were made, you can be quite sure that there will be official recordings stored away somewhere. Why don't the Knights of the 4th Estate do an FoI on them?
bt
May 31st, 2008 7:17pmSince 1997? One can only assume that it wasn't to listen (nothing changed) but was instead an exercise in self-justification.
About what one would expect from this profligate numpty ... "My tractor stats prove I know what I'm doing."
Yeah, sure.
Drew
May 31st, 2008 7:51pmThe source of the Guardian (never knowingly accurate) quote is Tom Watson MP.
As someone once remarked, "There is nothing that you could say to me now that I could ever believe."
Watson is beyond parody (he'll eventually replace Jack Straw as NuVicar of Bray - to a chorus of cock-crows), and the conflation in the Guardian piece of Brown with Diana is utter tosh in marginal taste (in that I'm not sure which of the two I despise more - I suppose Di had nicer nails...).
TGF UKIP
May 31st, 2008 8:31pmThere are strains in all this of the Reagan White House. The Great RR apparently loved to read letters from the public and would invariably reply to those carefully screened ones put in front of him. Those that he considered particularly deserving would receive a reply accompanied by a personal RR cheque for $100 or more.
Could this be the next step for Gordon? Nah, too much of the tight arse about him.
Water
May 31st, 2008 8:53pm"bizarre" seems about right, I’m utterly bamboozled.
john problem
May 31st, 2008 9:15pm'Allo.
Oh. Hallo. Is that Mrs. Stubbs?
Yais. 'Oo's that then?
Er. I'm Gordon Brown and I'm calling about your telephone message.
That's nice, dear.
You said you were concerned about the price of fuel.
Oh, yes. I am. It's not much fun being cold, you know, dear.
No. I'm sure it's not. Well, the government is going to make a special payment to all pensioners of £100 to help.
That's nice. Is it true?
Oh yes! I can guarantee it.
Are you with the government, then?
I'm the Prime Minister. Gordon Brown.
Don't you start any of that with me! I'll get my Bert to the phone and he'll tell you where to get orf.
No. Truly. I am Gordon Brown - the Prime Minister.
Bert!
No! Look!
'Ere you. 'Ooever you are. Sod off!
London Calling
May 31st, 2008 9:33pmHello this is the Samaritans….
Oh its you dear Mr Brown
How very nice to speak to you
Are you coming round?
What was that you said… oh yes
It must be very hard
You better watch your back my dear
The countries up your….
Now don’t be silly all Men cry
Its not an easy Job
But someone’s got to do it
And it’s not me …Thank God.
Water
May 31st, 2008 10:17pm...., ., .-.., .-.., ---
.., -, ...
--., ---, .-., -.., ---, -.
Voice at other end of the line
---,....
-.., ---
--., ---
.-, .--, .-, -.--
--., ---, .-., -.., ---, -.
Water
May 31st, 2008 11:01pmimg-machination at its up most
Silent Hunter
May 31st, 2008 11:55pm"They think it's all over....
....it is now!"
Could someone please section this nut job of a PM and put an end to this Nasty New Labour Government!
Dave B
June 1st, 2008 6:47amI don't believe it.
Mr Brown personally phoning voters is, I'd say, a sign of panic in Downing Street. Claiming he's been doing it for years is an understandable attempt to spin the story, but it doesn't ring true.
Water
June 1st, 2008 7:18amFrancis Maude... "I can't imagine anything worse than waking up to the sound of Gordon Brown bellowing statistics in your ear" yes, the last thing you'd want is that, first thing on a Sunday morning.
Travis Bickle
June 1st, 2008 1:05pm"Someone who... has told the BBC".
Excuse me for being cynical but my initial thought is that it is more likely to be a member of Brown's entourage than a genuine punter.