What they’re talking about in the bars of Bournemouth

Here’s a recap of the gossip around the bars last night..
 

1. Early election: Perhaps Brown started this hare running to wrong-foot the Tories, then came to take it seriously himself. Now the hype is so big, that perhaps Brown can’t stop it and will look cowardly if he doesn’t go now. He’s leaning towards a later election.

2. Bible: Plenty jokes about witch trials, Bible branding and Wicker Man style politics. “It made me feel like I was back in the Western Isles” says one fellow Scot down here. But obviously its part of the Brown brand. Hardly a day goes by without him reminding us that his dad was a Kirk minister.

3. Blairites: For all the talk of unity, the artists formerly known as Blairites (a bit like Blake’s Seven post-Blake) are still on the prowl, gently pointing to shortcomings in Brown’s speech and strategy.