The Brownites really can’t play the expectations game

The Brown re-launch is falling flat because all the ideas in it were previewed over the summer, meaning that their announcement does little for Brown’s prospects. Indeed, in some cases it does positive harm as the actual policy is less bold than the one that was floated. Now, this has happened for a reason—the ideas were leaked to show Labour MPs tempted by Miliband’s so-called vision for the future that Brown still had some shots left in his locker. But this short-term manoeuvre has harmed Labour’s prospect of a revival in the medium term.

It seems the same thing is going on with Brown’s conference speech. Ben Brogan blogs today that:

“as Labour conference approaches, there’s more and more speculation about Mr Brown’s speech and what he needs to do. Some are resigned to little more than a competent performance. But among those who have seen or even helped with the early drafts, there’s noticeable optimism.”

Again, one has to presume that this line is being briefed out to reassure those in the Labour party who think that Brown’s conference speech is his last chance to turn things round; there’s reportedly a truce between Miliband and Brown until after conference. But it is self-defeating spin. The higher the expectations are set for Brown’s speech, the harder it will be for him to meet them.