Tuesday, 29th July 2008

Power out

James Forsyth 7:38pm

If you haven’t already, do read Melissa Kite’s column in the Telegraph today. It contains this very telling anecdote about Gordon Brown’s attempt to shoot the breeze with the press:

"As is the tradition when travelling with the press, the Prime Minister came back during his flight from Baghdad to talk to the lobby hacks.
After summarising his view on Iraq, which included a lot of baffling figures about economic growth in Basra, Mr Brown attempted some "small talk". It was so alarming, it felt as if the entire plane was adopting the brace position. A couple of people looked like they were about to open the cabin doors for some air. All that was missing was a pilot's announcement urging us to place the overhead masks on our faces and stop panicking.
"It was very hot in Iraq wasn't it?" the Prime Minister said, lingering horribly as everyone fidgeted and tried to get back to their seats to strap themselves in."

The fact that the lobby were not interested in trying to make small talk with the PM illustrates just how much power has ebbed away from Brown. Even if he does survive this summer of speculation, he will be a severely diminished figure.

PS I’d also thoroughly recommend the fortnightly column that Melissa writes for the magazine.

Previous Back to Coffee House Next

Actions: Email to a friend | Permalink | Comments (5) | Subscribe

Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Post comment

Tiberius

July 29th, 2008 8:35pm Report this comment

Thinks Brown: "This would fit nicely on top of the Despatch Box..."

David C

July 29th, 2008 8:39pm Report this comment

The 'nutter' who comes and sits next to you on the bus...
Has the country actually come to this?
I've met people who were 'hard work', but the picture Melissa paints of a social inadequate is cruel.
Even I (and I despise Brown as a proto-fascist) suspect that somewhere, somehow he must have some redeeming features.

Just...what are they?

Silent Hunter

July 29th, 2008 9:15pm Report this comment

Thanks Mr Forsyth - that's 10 minutes of my life wasted reading Melissa Kites utter lightweight tripe of an article.

I'm no fan of Gordon Brown but to attack him for his 'dress sense' alone is vacuous.

But then again; what do you expect from some one called 'Melissa' who rides horses. LOL

Oscar

July 29th, 2008 9:47pm Report this comment

I'm afraid I found Melissa's article plain bitchy. Personally I am far more worried about public borrowing than what Brown wears on holiday. Looks like Melissa is riding the crest of an anti-Brown wave. This is just as misjudged as the nauseating eulogies last year when for a time all Brown's mistakes were branded 'refreshing'.