Is Cameron starting to tackle Brownies?
Peter Hoskin 7:22pm
When Fraser asked for CoffeeHousers' questions for Cameron yesterday, a number of you asked: "Why do you let Gordon Brown get away with his Brownies?" (For the uninitiated, Brownies are the little lies that our Prime Minister tells on a regular basis). We'll be putting up the Tory leader's full responses tomorrow, but - on the Brownies front - the gist of his answer was: "Fair point. I'll try and put this right."
So it's noteworthy that Cameron may, today, have started to do just that. As Sky are reporting, he's sent a letter to Gordon Brown asking him to explain his barefaced denial of Wendy Alexander's call for a referendum on Scottish independence. Here are snippets of that letter:
"Today you denied she had called for a referendum now ...
...Perhaps, then, you could explain what she meant by this...
...Anyone who listened to Wendy Alexander's remarks could be in no doubt that she meant a referendum should be held and it should not be delayed.
To pretend otherwise is once again treating people like fools...
...not only do you appear unable to lead your party in any one direction on this issue of vital importance, but you also seem unable even to acknowledge what the Scottish Labour leader is calling for...
...So, is there going to be a referendum or not?"
This is exactly the right approach to adopt. Brown uses Brownies as a crutch. If you take them away, he's got very little left to stand on.
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Comments
Oscar
May 7th, 2008 8:07pmMy God - a leader who actually does listen. Amazing.
Sean,W
May 7th, 2008 8:40pmKeep pushing on the Brownies - it exposes Brown for what he is.
Perry
May 7th, 2008 9:21pmSo, - the Leader of the Oppo will . . . . TRY? . . . to challenge the lies of the Supreme Leader of Noo-Lie-Bore . . . . .
Well I suppose we should be grateful.
But why take so long . . . ?
Oh never mind!
Othesius the Facilitator
May 7th, 2008 9:44pmIts about time. All the straight bat wielding Tories have let them all off for to long. On another point. Steve Richards has just told Ian Dale that Labour will loose the Crewe and Nantwich bye election. He's always wrong that bloke.yuk!
Nick Kaplan
May 8th, 2008 12:11amThis is great news; the Spectator could have made a real difference come the next election if Cameron really does pursue this. Well done Fraser, keep up the good work!
moros
May 8th, 2008 7:30amWhy the euphemism ("treating people like fools")? It's a timid way of accusing someone of lying.
Perry
May 8th, 2008 9:33amI hope any response is in clear unambiguous English rather than Gordo Gobbledegook
Paul
May 8th, 2008 9:48amLike Madame Tussauds he won't get a reply.
Duncan M
May 8th, 2008 10:43amLet's hope Cameron points out that 600,000 children brought out of poverty (albeit based on Brown's version of poverty) is not even close to the 1 million lie Brown keeps spinning.
Chuck Unsworth
May 8th, 2008 11:44amI'd like to see the exchange(s) published in full. Then we can all keep a record of what has been said. After all, is Hansard a credible source these days?
Old Hack
May 8th, 2008 1:43pmThe significance of Brownies go beyond their use as a political crutch.
It goes to the psychosis at the heart of government. Brown believes what he says is the truth and the fact that he has said it *makes* it the truth.
In other word he has the power to alter reality. Clearly Brown is delusional. He shouldn't be unseated, instead he needs sectioning.
crown
May 8th, 2008 2:24pmToday at Shadow Deputy Leader of the House Shailesh Vara put the question of the 1 million to the Dep Leader. You won't be surprised to hear that he received no answer
The Chocolate Orange Inspector
May 8th, 2008 2:46pmChuck Unsworth - Hansard is definitely not a credible record of what has been said in Parliament. It's strength used to be its absolute impartiality and integrity. Now ... so weak.