No party mood as readers predict exit for Gordon

Jun 28 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

IF Prime Minister Gordon Brown is looking for a few kind words today, he would be well advised to give The Journal Jury room a wide berth.

We asked our jurors to sum up Mr Brown’s first year in Number 10.

Their verdict does not make pleasant reading for the embattled Premier – though he has a friend in Mick Brady.

Mr Brady, of Pendower, Newcastle, said: “This has been a very tough year for Gordon Brown and not his own fault. He did very well with the terror bombs in London and the price of oil is a worldwide problem.”

Pauline Williams, of Hexham, Northumberland, also tried to find some kind words.

She said: “It was a pity things started going downhill immediately after he took office. And some of it was not really his fault.” But she added: “But the man has no personality and no charisma.”

After that, there was little sign of anyone wishing to sugar the pill.

Angela Marshall, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, said: “I don’t trust him and won’t vote Labour if he is still in charge.” Anna Elliott, of Ferryhill, County Durham, said she judged him to be “ineffectual and weak and indecisive”.

Doug Dooley, Washington, Tyne and Wear, simply settled for “ineffective” while Andrew Duffield, Longwitton, Morpeth, Northumberland, says the PM offers “no vision, no direction, no hope”.

Alison Lambert and Martin Dimmock have obviously never been Gordon Brown fans.

Mrs Lambert, of Jesmond, Newcastle, said: “He has spent his first year as PM doing what he has done throughout his political career – sitting on the fence and avoiding taking ownership.

“He seems slow to realise that the buck stops with the person at the top.”

Mr Dimmock, of Newcastle, said: “He was terrible as Chancellor and is even worse as a PM. Four out of 10.”

Many jurors also fear for his impact on New Labour.

Ian Brown, of Rennington, Alnwick, Northumberland, said: “You never appreciate your old vicar till your new one arrives. Frankly though, I’m for worshipping at another church altogether.”

Stephen Salem, of North Shields, said: “Gordon Brown’s first year in office has slowly diminished the household purse with ever rising costs and eroded any confidence in New Labour by the middle classes because of what seems to be his outdated and out-of-touch polices.” Anthony Sargent, of Gateshead, said: “Has lost New Labour centre consensus support; its reputation for sound economic management is tarnished and he is a not as good a communicator as Blair. Not looking great.”

Robert Thompson, of Stakeford, Ashington, Northumberland, prefers to judge over the longer term – but that does not soften the verdict.

He said: “Gordon Brown presided over 10 good years and gave the impression he was competent as he schemed for the job he coveted while raiding our pensions and raising many taxes by stealth.

“He obviously made no contingencies for the hard times to come and has been found wanting, lacking competence and charisma. He tries to bully his way through the difficulties. I think his time as ‘leader’ is limited.”

Not surprisingly, comparisons with Tony Blair are a common theme. Oliver Volkhard, of Newcastle, said: “Tony Blair was all spin and Brown spins badly. His year is the same as any other Blair year but without the razzmatazz. Hopeless.”

And Tony Dowling, of High Spen, Gateshead, said: “Gordon Brown’s first year as PM has been a disappointment for all those who had delusions that he was different to Blair.

“But for those who recognised his commitment to big business and neoliberalism it was business as usual.”

And the future?

Robin Cairns, of Gateshead, said: “His first year in office is equal to Thatcher’s last. He needs a miracle to stay PM.”

Lorraine Coulson, of Low Fell, Gateshead, concluded: “Must do better. The country needs a strong leader, which he isn’t. He is unconvincing and bumbling.”

George Partis, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, said: “A total disaster – pensions, fuel, immigration, Afghanistan, MPs’ expenses and many others – it’s time for him to go.”