Brown still doesn't know how to respond to the Miliband article

An Accountant

It's interesting how systemic lying and denial of the truth eventually 'just sounds ridiculous'. Hamlet had to pretend to be mad once he knew the truth but could not reveal it. Is this the Shakespearian tragedy that we now have to watch unfold? McMouse caught in his own Mousetrap whilst he pours his poison in the portals of our ears?

Liz Brown

surely the time has come to call for a Vote of NO CONFIDENCE before this appalling Government and utterly useless Sub Prime Minister land us in even deeper waters

TrevorH

You can tell Brown is in trouble - he is off telling the rest of the world what to do, in this case Afghanistan. Anything is better than drawing attention to things at home.

We have a deteriorating foreign situation and the PM is not on speaking terms with his foreign secretary.

oldtimer

Previously I have characterised this government as a bumbling incompetent. On reading the recent posts about Georgia and the response that the UK should make, it seems that ministers and whips are confused. On this evidence it is clear that the government is also dangerously incompetent as well as a serial bungler.

David C

My opinion hasn't changed.
The decision by his 'attack dogs' was correct.
If Brown is to maintain his grip on No.10, he has to play to his strengths. He has no tools to bind people to him except patronage and fear, and the value of his patronage is vanishing as the power blocs inside Labour solidify.
This means a continuing reliance on fear. Brown’s skills have carried him, without exposing him to serious opposition, through to the Prime Ministership. Appearing to regard Miliband as a threat; launching an attack and then staying his hand, sends a message that cannot be interpreted as other than weakness. Any sign of weakness for a PM in Brown’s circumstances would just encourage the hyenas to gather.
Brown’s strengths lie in bullying, backstabbing, black propaganda, off-the-record character assassination, attack by proxy and straightforward intimidation.
These would be revolting characteristics in anybody not playing the political game, and usually other facets of a personality would ameliorate them; unfortunately Brown appears to have left these other attributes uncultivated.
Fraser Nelson’s telling comment on the Miliband/Brown (G) war was that Brown sees politics as the destruction of his enemies.
If this is how he sees politics, he should rely on the resources that have never failed him. Brown should snuff out Miliband’s aspirations now.
There is no dividend in not being ruthless and the Labour Leader should play up and play to win.

Jock

So, David C, back from Mr Bean to Stalin is your advice ?

You could well be right but don't under-estimate the upcoming Brown relaunch.

Perhaps we will have Baldrick next, complete with cunning plan.

David Lindsay

Oh, for goodness sake, not this again! No one remembers the Miliband article now. Forget about it. And forget about him.